The hugely popular musical Oliver! will be performed at Gaiety Theatre next month with support from SMP Partners.
As it celebrates 10 years of performing summer musicals in the Isle of Man, Taylorian Productions will stage Lionel Bart’s ever-popular show from 8th to 20th August.
Leading corporate service provider SMP Partners is a Gold Sponsor for the musical, the sixth Taylorian production it has supported. It will host a corporate night on 10th August with a collection for the company’s Charity of the Year, Crossroads Young Carers.
Based on the classic Charles Dickens novel, Oliver! tells the story of an orphaned boy who escapes the workhouse only to end up part of a gang of thieves and pick-pockets in Victorian London before being rescued from a life of crime. Bart’s adaptation has become a family favourite, astutely retelling this dark tale of social injustice and why crime doesn’t pay while dramatically evoking the moral dilemmas of Dickens’ book. It is also full of well-known songs, including Food, Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two and Reviewing the Situation.
Producer Matt James said: ‘This spectacular new production of a ground-breaking musical will be dazzling and colourful with enough hit tunes to fill a career let alone a show. With sumptuous new staging designed specifically for this production, dazzling period costumes, innovative choreography and Victorian storytelling at its finest, Oliver! promises to be the family theatrical event of the year.
‘We are delighted to be celebrating 10 years of bringing summer musicals to the Gaiety, and extremely grateful to SMP Partners for once again supporting us as we take to the stage. Without such sponsorship it simply wouldn’t be possible to stage theatrical productions on this scale, and bring shows like this to the Island.’
SMP Partners has supported many major productions at the Gaiety Theatre, including The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, CATS, Tommy, the Wizard of Oz, Miss Saigon, Evita and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Mark Denton, Managing Director of SMP Partners, said: ‘We are long-time supporters of Taylorian Productions, having sponsored six shows, and are always delighted by the high standards, talent and professionalism they bring to the stage. Oliver! is a popular musical, and we know that Taylorian will combine all the well-known aspects with its own innovative staging and production to deliver a show which will delight Manx audiences.
‘As part of our active role in the community, SMP Partners supports musical theatre not only because of the enjoyment it brings to audiences, but also because of opportunities and experience it offers to everyone involved. Productions like this are a chance for people with a diverse range of talents to develop skills, build confidence and understand the value of teamwork both on and off stage.
‘We’re all looking forward to seeing what I’m sure will be the smash hit of the summer.’
Oliver! runs at the Gaiety Theatre from 8th to 20th August. Tickets, priced from ?22.50, are available or online from www.villagaiety.com and www.taylorianproductions.net.
Photo - Nancy (right) played by Georgia Maddocks with Mr Brownlow and Mrs Bedwin, played by Bob Harrison and Mandy Griffin.
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