Oliver! - Palace Theatre has a huge hit on its hands (From Northwich Guardian)

Oliver! - Palace Theatre has a huge hit on its hands

11:00am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Theatre & arts By Rick Bowen

OLIVER! is bursting with songs you want to hum along or tap your feet to.

From the cheery Consider Yourself to the sorrowful Where Is Love?, sung by a fragile little orphan boy starved of affection.

Then we have the haunting opening strains of Who Will Buy?, beautifully sung in this Palace Theatre production by Oliver and the rest of the company. Then the song builds to its roof raising climax - this is the sort of song that musical theatre is made for.

I have to admit that Neil Morrissey, who plays the slippery Fagin, leader of the gang of pickpockets, was the biggest draw for me. He doesn’t disappoint and this is a great vehicle for an actor whose comedy skills are second to none. Morrissey also manages a very funny nod to one of his most well known roles, but I’m not going to spoil the surprise.

Samantha Banks has quite a stage presence as the shop soiled Nancy, long suffering and remarkably loyal lover of the show’s baddie, the brutish Bill Sykes, expertly portrayed by Ian Fletcher. Samantha’s performance of Nancy’s iconic number, As Long As He Needs Me, in which she explains why she sticks by her man, is a real pleasure to listen to.

Then we have the title role, played by Harry Polden on press night. All I can say, to the other lads sharing the part is that he’s a very tough act to follow. Add some choreography by the wonderful Matthew Bourne and you have a show that even the miserly Fagin would fork out to see. The Palace has a huge hit on its hands.

* Until March 10. The box office is on 0844 871 3019. Star rating - ****