BES Oliver! Programme 2024

Leaving school in the Summer of 2024?

Come and study at

• A Level subjects and over 70 vocational

• Subject experts teaching your classes

• Broad range of sports and clubs

• Great preparation for university or the world of work

• Dedicated and convenient transport arrangements: Find out more at: scg.ac.uk/students/travelling-to-college

A Word from the Director

Deciding which show to stage is always a difficult decision and, after the success of ‘We Will Rock You’ last year, I knew that this year had to be something equally as special. For me, Oliver! ticks all the right boxes: a well-known story, iconic characters, and catchy songs. From the outset, I knew that I wanted to give the gritty streets of Dickensian London a modern twist. Fortunately, we had BlueSpot Productions on board again to make my vision a reality.

One of my favourite parts of putting on a show is the audition process, and this year did not disappoint. I am always blown away by the talent of our students and, for me, the standout audition came from Patrick Ainge in Year 7. Having only been at Bridgnorth Endowed for a mere two weeks, he waltzed into the drama studio in a manner only befitting of the Artful Dodger. It was also fantastic to see students who previously didn’t have the confidence to perform, step forward and impress us with their vocal abilities.

My least favourite part of the process has to be choreographing dance numbers. Musical theatre doesn’t come naturally to me as I’m much more of a gritty drama kind of girl – in fact, it’s a bit of a running joke amongst the cast! I always need a lot of help and this year has been no different but, thankfully, students, both past and present, and staff have all helped to make this show what it is.

I am so proud of each and every one of our cast, as they have all worked so hard to make this a show to remember. I am also incredibly grateful to our team of students and staff who have helped behind the scenes. I hope you enjoy the show.

...Wonderful...

Full Synopsis

Lionel Bart’s Oliver! JR. opens in a glum workhouse in 19th century England, where the poor, hungry, hardworking children are waiting for dinner (“Food Glorious Food”). The children scarf down their food, but one plucky orphan isn’t satisfied; Oliver wants more (“Oliver”)! Shocked and perturbed by his boldness, the individuals in charge of the workhouse, Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney, agree to sell Oliver to anyone willing to take him off their hands (“Boy For Sale”). The undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry, pays for the boy, and as Oliver takes in his grim new surroundings, he wonders if anyone will ever love him (“Where Is Love?”).

The next morning, the Sowerberrys’ apprentice, Noah, comes into the undertaker’s parlor and begins bullying Oliver. When Noah says cruel things about Oliver’s dead mother, Oliver lunges at him, starting a fight. Mr. Sowerberry tries to send Oliver back to the workhouse, but Oliver flees to the outskirts of London. Oliver happens upon clever pickpocket Dodger, who offers the boy a place to stay with Fagin’s Gang of thieves. Oliver accepts and is welcomed by the gang (“Consider Yourself”). Oliver doesn’t fully understand what he’s gotten himself into, as Fagin explains their “business” (“Pick A Pocket Or Two”).

Nancy and her friend Bet pay a visit to Fagin and his thieves the next morning, and though the young women lead dangerous lives of crime, they insist they enjoy it (“It’s A Fine Life”). Oliver politely bows when he is introduced to the girls, and the gang makes fun of him for it. Nancy, however, comes to his defense, admiring his manners (“I’d Do Anything”). Fagin then puts the gang to work, sending them out to pickpocket (“Be Back Soon”). Oliver’s first day of thievery does not go well when Mr. Brownlow catches the boy stealing his handkerchief. Oliver is apprehended by a Policeman.

That evening, Nancy is present at a boxing match where she sings “the old school song” for a rough crowd (Oom- Pah-Pah). However, the fun quickly ends when brutal burglar Bill Sikes enters (“My Name”). Dodger suddenly rushes in, reporting to Fagin that Oliver has been taken in by Mr. Brownlow. Sikes overhears the conversation and orders Nancy to go steal him back. Nancy doesn’t want to take Oliver away from his new home, but her love for Sikes compels her to do as she has been told (“As Long As He Needs Me”).

In Mr. Brownlow’s home, the housekeeper Mrs. Bedwin affectionately sings Oliver a lullaby (“Where Is Love? - Reprise”) while the Market Sellers sell their wares outside (“Who Will Buy? - Part 1”). Dr. Grimwig arrives to check on Oliver’s health, but he is suspicious that the boy may be taking advantage of Mr. Brownlow. He suggests Oliver complete an errand for Mr. Brownlow, and Mr. Brownlow agrees. Oliver leaves on his errand, wandering into the market (“Who Will Buy? - Part 2”). Nancy, Bet, and Sikes enter the scene, stealing a struggling Oliver away from his new life.

Once Oliver is back among the thieves, Nancy expresses her regret in helping abduct him (“It’s A Fine Life - Reprise”). Fagin privately seems conflicted about his involvement as well (“Reviewing The Situation”). Meanwhile, at the workhouse, Old Sally reveals a secret. She stole a locket from Oliver’s mother, who gave birth to the boy and passed away in the workhouse. The locket seems to indicate that Oliver’s mother came from a wealthy family. Widow Corney and Mr. Bumble set out to find the boy, intent on making a profit from this information (“Oliver - Reprise”).

Widow Corney and Mr. Bumble take the locket to Mr. Brownlow, who realizes the locket belonged to his daughter, making Oliver his grandson. Suddenly, Nancy rushes in, revealing to Mr. Brownlow and Mrs. Bedwin why Oliver has gone missing. She tells them she will return Oliver to them that night. Nancy leaves, but she fails to see that Sikes is following her (“As Long As He Needs Me - Reprise”). Later that night, Sikes confronts Nancy and Bet as they are delivering Oliver to Mr. Brownlow. A struggle ensues, and Oliver breaks free, but Sikes strikes Nancy, ultimately killing her. An angry crowd chases Sikes down, but Sikes jumps off a bridge to his death before they can reach him. After a night of terror, Oliver is reunited with Mr. Brownlow and Mrs. Bedwin. Fagin and his gang, meanwhile, flee from the police, and Fagin considers turning over a new leaf. ...Marvellous...

Song List

Food, Glorious Food – Workhouse Boys

Oliver! – Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney

Boy for Sale – Mr. Bumble

Where is Love? – Oliver

Consider Yourself – The Artful Dodger, Oliver, and Chorus

You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two – Fagin and Fagin’s Gang

It’s a Fine Life – Nancy, Bet, and Fagin’s Gang

I’d Do Anything – The Artful Dodger, Nancy, Oliver, Bet, Fagin, & Fagin’s Gang

Be Back Soon – Fagin, The Artful Dodger, Oliver and Fagin’s Gang

Oom-Pah-Pah – Nancy and Chorus

My Name – Bill Sikes

As Long as He Needs Me – Nancy

Where Is Love? (Reprise) – Mrs. Bedwin

Who Will Buy? – Oliver, Vendors, and Chorus

It’s a Fine Life (Reprise) – Bill Sikes, Nancy, Fagin, and The Artful Dodger

Reviewing the Situation – Fagin

Oliver! (Reprise) – Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney

As Long As He Needs Me (Reprise) – Nancy

The Rehearsals

WRAPAROUND CHILDCARE OPEN 8AM-5PM

WE ARE COMMITTED TO DELIVER HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE IN A STIMULATING ENVIRONMENT.

FUNDED AND PAID FOR PLACES FOR CHILDREN AGED 2/3/4 YEARS.

24U FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR ELIGIBLE 2 YEAR OLD. TAX FREE CHILDCARE ACCEPTED

RAN BY AN EARLY YEARS PROFESSIONAL WITH FULLY TRAINED AND QUALIFIED, ENHANCED DBS CLEARED STAFF

SET IN THE GROUNDS OF ST MARY'S BLUECOAT SCHOOL WITH WEEKLY VISITS TO WOODLAND AREA, HALL FOR PE LESSONS, WHICH MEANS LOTS OF SPACE FOR NON-STOP FUN AND RUNNING AROUND.

WE ARE BASED IN OUR VERY OWN PURPOSE BUILT DEMOUNTABLE CLASSROOM WITH PLENTY OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPACE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL

01746 767444 OR EMAIL

INFO@HIDDENTREASURESBRIDGNORTH.CO.UK

The Cast...

OLD

OLIVER Heidi Kench Year 7

BET

Evie Delaney Year 10

BILL SIKES Kaeden Whitehouse Year 10

OLIVER Archie Wootton Year 7

BET Flora Cole Year 8

SALLY Niamh McQuoid Year 8

NANCY

Charlotte Cotterill Year 10

ARTFUL DODGER

Patrick Ainge Year 7

MR SOWERBERRY

Isabelle Williams Year 10

NANCY

Sophie Hill Year 11

FAGIN

Henry Griffin Year 8

MRS SOWERBERRY Ava Heffernan Year 10

...Magical...

“I’ve really enjoyed the process of making this show and have made loads of new friends. It’s been a lot of work but Charlotte (Nancy)

NOAH CLAYPOLE

Harry Tellam-Clark Year 7

WIDOW CORNEY

Mia Wain Year 10

MR BUMBLE Owen Tucker Year 11

MR BROWNLOW Evie Dornan

CHARLOTTE Daisy Green Year 10

DR GRIMWIG Hollie Kirk Year 8

MATRON Isabelle Crann Year 9

MRS BEDWIN Darcey Hoult Year 9

Fagin’s Gang

Charlie Bates

Handwalker

Chloe Palmer

Emily Greenwood

The Captain Rose Curle-Cutler

Nipper

Daniel Griffin

Market Sellers

Rose Seller Lola Taylor

Strawberry Seller

Fearne Humphries

Knife Grinder Regan Whitehouse

Milkmaid Ella Massey

Ensemble Cast

Sienna Abbiss

Summer Abbiss

Annie Bosson

Lottie Griffin

Eva Howell

Poppy Lang

Rose Lawrence

Amelia Morris

Felicity Plant

Laura Pumphrey

Primary School Cast

Erin Dickenson

Faye Turner

Abi Derricutt

Scarlet Childs

Molly Steadman

Max Whitney

Olly Handley

Phoebe Humphries

Aria Henshaw

Zachary Henshaw

Joshua Woolrich

Frankie Caw

Megan Tildesley

Rebecca Westwood

Isabel Williams

Vincent Nightingale

Fraser Smout

Theo Smout

Lucas French

“I hope that we have all learnt from this tremendous and Kaeden (Bill Sikes)

Bridgnorth Endowed Working in Association With... g

BLUESPOT PRODUCTIONS

BlueSpot Productions offers technical support for events, ranging from small parties to live festival stages and musical theatre shows. No job is too big or small.

In 2023, they supported the Bridgnorth Endowed production of “We Will Rock You” and they’ve returned for this year’s school show, Oliver! the Musical.

BlueSpot Director, James Hammond, said: “It’s always nice to return to help our customers put on new and interesting shows. This year, we’ve had a great time helping to plan the production, supplying all the show tech and creating some great scenery and sets used during the performance. We can’t wait for you to see this fantastic show, a reflection of all the hard work of these talented young people.”

www.bluespotproductions.co.uk.

Dan Bradley

As the sound engineer behind this year’s “Oliver! JR”, Dan brings his extensive experience back to Bridgnorth Endowed, where his journey in technology, drama, and music began over 15 years ago.

A former student, Dan has since built a successful career in both Music and IT, working with businesses, local bands and music artists, as well as working as show producer on the most recent Bridgnorth Endowed productions, including “BESt Side Story” and “We Will Rock You.”

“Oliver! JR” marks another exciting chapter in our ongoing evolution of school productions.

www.badgerprint.co.uk

Dan Street

Hollie Welch

Karen Haynes

Louise Poole

Louise Rhodes

Lisa Tristham

Michael Penn

Nic Clark

Steve Chase

Sara Gresko

Sandra Harding

Sam Scott

Sue Underhill

Tim Underhill

Vikki Dober

Zoe Griffin

Production Team

Director and Choreographer: Georgia Taylor

Assistant Direction and Choreography: Alice Ball and Henry Rhodes

Music Director: Joe Gadd

Primary School Choreography: Grace Rock

Costume and Stage Management: Deana Edwards

Set and Props Production: Rachel Baker-Lellow and Gary Ringer

Lighting Production: James Hammond

Lighting Technician: Ben Emanuel

Sound Production: Dan Bradley

Sound Technician: Lily-May Proctor

Props

Milly Williams (Year 10)

Jennie Chandler (Year 7)

Freya Bridgwater (Year 10)

Stagehands

Harry Wain (Year 7)

Edith Franklin (Year 9)

Hugo Metcalfe (Year 8)

Oliver Hammond (Year 8)

Lois Marshall (Year 9)

Hair/makeup

Josie Harrington (Year 10)

Daisy Peake (Year 10)

Cara Thomas (Year 10)

Eva Pritchard (Year 7)

Amelie Pay (Year 7)

Bonnie Guest (Year 7)

Isla Payton (Year 7)

...Fabulous...

Words To Know From...

Basin A bowl

Beadle A ceremonial officer of church, college, or similar institution

Bill of fare A menu

Cadge To ask for

Cheeking Being cheeky to; being disrespectful

Crumpet A small griddle cake

Cudgel A short, thick stick used as a weapon

Fisticuffs Fighting with fists

Foot the bill Pay for something

Farthing A former monetary unit of Great Britain

Gentry People of good social standing; the next class under nobility

Girder An iron or steel beam used for building bridges or as the framework in buildings

Grouse Complain

Gruel Liquid food consisting of cereal boiled in water or milk

Guineas The major unit of currency in Great Britain prior to the pound

Hot toddies Alcoholic drinks mixed with honey, herbs, and spices and served hot

Incredulous Unable to believe something

Larder A room or large cupboard where food is stored

Mace A type of club

Magistrate A civil officer or judge who administers the law

Me old china Cockney rhyming slang referring to a friend or “mate”

Mite

A small child or animal

Pease pudding A savoury pudding typically made with yellow split peas

Pence Plural form of penny

Plummy & slam British underworld slang that was often used as a password

Posh Elegant or stylish

Raffish Disreputable; vulgar; crude

Rogue A dishonest man; a rascal

Saveloys Highly seasoned sausages

Shilling A former British coin and monetary unit

Timbuktu An ancient city in the African country of Mali

Toff A rich or upper class individual

Togs Clothes

Vagabond A wanderer with no home or job

Vittles Food

Workhouse A place where those unable to support themselves were offered employment and a place to live

Come and visit us at : 45 High Street, Bridgnorth, Shropshire

Opening Times:

Wednesday and Thursday 6-9.30

Friday 5.30—9.30

Saturday 1-9.30

Book online at www.fatolivetapas.co.uk, call 01746 218084 or facebook—TheFatOliveTapasCo

If you are looking for somewhere to hold a special event drop us a line at info@fatolivetapas.co.uk or give us a call on 01746 218084 where we will be happy to chat through your requirements

“I have really enjoyed being part of this amazing cast and have loved this experience. Everyone is like a massive family and I will

Florrie (Bet)

“I’ve loved making new friends and have really enjoyed seeing the show come together. Oliver is an amazing show and it’s great to see Sophie (Nancy)