academy presents by special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh
Book, Music and Lyrics by LIONEL BART freely adapted from ‘Oliver Twist’ by Charles Dickens
2024
Wednesday 4th December
Thursday 5th December
Friday 6th December
The Private Wealth Law Firm
SYNOPSIS
Consider yourself at home with Lionel Bart’s classic musical based on the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike.
The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family.
Oliver! is a musical theatre masterpiece, perfectly showcasing the talents of a large ensemble cast as they bring these classic characters and score to life.
MUSICAL NUMBERS
Act 2
Food, Glorious Food! Oliver!
II Shall Scream! Boy For Sale
That’s Your Funeral Where Is Love?
Consider Yourself
You’ve Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two
It’s A Fine Life
I’d Do Anything Be Back Soon
Act 1 Interval
Drinks and snacks will be available to purchase from the licenced bar at the back of the hall (pre-order available)
Raffle tickets are on sale at £1 each
Oom-Pah-Pah
My Name
As Long As He Needs Me Where Is Love? Who Will Buy?
It’s A Fine Life (Reprise)
Reviewing The Situation
Oliver! (Reprise)
As Long as He Needs Me (Reprise)
Reviewing the Situation (Reprise)
Finalé
CAST LIST
Daniel Wheeldon Oliver Twist
If you’d told me a year ago that I would be the main character, I would have said you’re crazy.
I’ve made so many friends since I started the shows and they have come to feel like family. Everyone’s put so much effort into this show and I hope you will enjoy it and you will be asking “please sir, may I have some more?”
Zach Smith Fagin
I am very excited about doing my first show here at Leventhorpe. However, this isn’t my first show as I have been acting for many years and have performed multiple times at both the Harlow Playhouse and Victoria Hall Theatre, most recently performing in Vanta Black. Outside of acting, I enjoy watching football and meeting up with friends.
Sid Martin Bill Sykes
I have been performing for 5 years, and I have really enjoyed this production!
I am currently training with BSA, and I have a deep love for being on stage.
I don’t have anything in common with Bill Sykes, as I’m quite a calm person!
Emily Hare
Mrs Corney/Milk Maid
I have been acting in the school plays since I joined Leventhorpe in 2018.
I have a passion for singing which is why I enjoy taking part in the school plays, as it allows me to showcase my voice to an audience alongside acting.
I am thoroughly excited to perform in Oliver alongside the rest of the cast.
Violet Hall Bet
I love performing. I am now in Year 11 and this is my 5th school show. I am studying with Stagebox as well as an upcoming production of Rent with BSA and I generally have much more to say than my character Bet. Working and collaborating with everyone on this production has been wonderful and I especially love being Maria’s bestie on stage and off.
Lani Calladine Artful Dodger
I’ve been attending Diverse Performing Arts since I was 5 years old. My favourite parts I’ve played to date are Pinocchio in Shrek and the title role in Annie. This is my 5th show at Leventhorpe and I’ve loved getting to work with so many new people across the different year groups and bringing such a fun character to life.
Maria Thira Nancy
I danced continuously in mum’s belly, ate up Sister Mary Pat and now I’m back for round 2! Previously, I went to a performing arts school for 5 years, and now I perform with BSA and am a champion in jiujitsu. I’ve enjoyed reuniting with my acting family. And just like Nancy, I like to fight (literally) for my morals.
William Bray
Mr Bumble/Knife Grinder
I have been on stage for nearly all my life both in and out of school.
I also play the trumpet and sing/play keyboard in a band (@faceforradio_band wink wink).
This role has really pushed me and I SWEAR I am nothing like the character…
Ben Barrett
Mr Brownlow
I’ve been performing since primary school, doing every school production possible. This show, like always, provides a sense of pure joy and belonging. Alongside performing, I’m a lifelong gymnast and I’m also a coach. I love to dance, especially when it helps me procrastinate homework. Even though Brownlow is a grandad, we share a love for a good hat!
Evie Davies
Charley Bates
I am currently in Year 10 and this is my 6th production with the school. I have been dancing with PH Acadamy of Dance since I was 3 years old.
I have loved working with Lani whilst playing Charley and have really enjoyed rehearsals for Oliver. I feel like I am just as cheeky as Charley!!
Daisy Phillips
Mrs Sowerberry
Guy Anthony
Mr Sowerberry
Summer Waite
Dr Grimwig
Aimee Cole
Mrs Bedwin
Jemima Smith
Rose Seller
Emily Upton
Strawberry Seller
Ensemble (Left to right, back to front)
Rosalea Hall
Charlotte
Leighton Conridge
Noah Claypole
Evie Martin Sally
...with special thanks to...
Dora Harcsa
Dance Captain & Choreographer
Shilah Wynter-Grace, Kiki Adekunle-Sanusi, Georgia Wright, Maisie-Jane Prowle, Sophie Whisker, Honey Askew, Daisy White, Lillie Stafford, Josh Coles, Joshua Urqhart, Emily Wood, Rosina Rudd, Jessica Thomas, Alfie McKenzie-Howard, Eva Ghadami, Amelie Ferguson & Isabelle Breavington
n o e x p e r i e n c e n e e d e d
F u l l t r a i n i n g & S u p p o r t P r o v i d e d
B e y o u r o w n b o s s
W e j u s t n e e d y o u t o b e d r i v e n & c o a c h a b l e ! ! !
THE BAND
Eddie Bray Clarinet
Eddie has been a regular feature of show bands for the last couple of years. Eddie has had to adapt to playing yet another new instrument - soprano clarinethaving already spent considerable time learning the tenor saxophone for function band. In his spare time, Eddie is studying AS level music because he couldn’t fit it into his school timetable (no, seriously)!
Nick Jones Percussion
This is Nick’s final show at Leventhorpe having been a member of the show band in We Will Rock You, Shrek and Sister Act. Orchestral percussion is another skill Nick can now add to his CV of talents alongside guitar shredder, drum kit basher and bass guru. Thanks to the invention of MIDI, Nick will be playing an array of orchestral percussion sounds during the show, from the comfort and ease of a small plastic keyboard!
Spike Sargent Percussion
: Spike desperately wanted to be in the show band. “I’d do anything, sir!”. Whilst Spike was not cast as Maria to sing that song, he was employed as a percussionist and has been a highly committed and talented member of the band. Spike has drum lessons and takes GCSE music. Despite sounding the same, Spike is not related to Mr Sarjeant as one of them cannot spell their surname correctly. We will let you decide who!
Cameron Isted Percussion
This is Cameron’s second and final show as a Leventhorpe student. Cameron says “This show is much easier than Sister Act”, a viewpoint not shared by all members of the band! Cameron is an A level music and music tech student who is looking to continue his studies at university.
Lola Neal Cello
Lola started learning the cello at Leventhorpe and is a product of the schol’s LEAPS/Lev’s Get Playing programme. Lola is really looking forward to playing Oliver alongside her cello teacher, who also happens to be Mr White’s wife, so she will be on her best behaviour!
Sophie Stephenson Bass
Sophie was so keen to be involved in the show that she has learnt to read a whole different clef of music just to be involved. Sophie is playing the double bass part but don’t be fooled, it’s actually a bass guitar. Sophie’s favourite song is ‘Reviewing The Situation’ and following the conclusion of the show, she will be reviewing all of her pencil marks and rubbing them out!
Emily White Flute
Emily loves playing the flute but much prefers playing the piano and regularly reminds Mr Sarjeant of this fact! This is Emily’s third show in the band following ‘Shrek’ and ‘Bess’. Emily is a GCSE music student and her favourite song is ‘Consider Yourself’, because she considers herself happy when she plays it!
Staff Band Members
Mrs Ball (Violin), Mr Beardsworth (Trumpet), Mr Hayes (Trombone), Mrs Lewington (Clarinet), Miss Miller (Flute), Mr Sarjeant (Piano) and Mrs White (Cello)
Somewhere in my parents’ house sits an old, worn-out VHS of the 1968 musical film Oliver! featuring Ron Moody as the scheming pick-pocketer, Fagin, and Oliver Reed as the villainous thief and murderer, Bill Sikes. As a child, I would watch this on repeat and even had a cassette of the original West End cast recording that I would listen to over and over again. Oliver! was one of the first shows I saw in the theatre (at the Palladium in 1997, with Jim Dale as Fagin!) and it has been my firm favourite ever since. So, when I floated the idea for our next production, it was because I was confident that if anyone could do it justice, it would be the incredibly talented students of Leventhorpe.
With only 10 weeks, and about a quarter of the number of rehearsals (compared to last year’s Sister Act), this was a tall order for anyone! Getting to grips with the ambitious score, full company dance routines, quick scene changes, challenging content, and some larger-than-life characters meant that the students (and staff!) had their work cut out. And, my goodness, they have more than risen to the challenge!! I am in awe of what the students can achieve in such a short time, and with such positivity and camaraderie. We all feel very privileged to work with such creative, tenacious and hard-working students. So much goes into putting these shows on from across the whole school community - it is a real team effort. Our thanks go to Art, DT, and the site team for the set, and Emma Cook for the programme and photography, along with Luke Kenny. Also, to the catering team, support staff and all teachers involved in the running of the shows, in particular, the Performing Arts Team.
I must however give a few special thanks to some students who have gone above and beyond. Our student tech teamled by Thomas Penketh and Eddie Brichieri-Colombi - never cease to amaze me with their creative ideas and solutions, navigating every curveball I throw them with aplomb. It is fantastic to see so many students displaying exceptional leadership qualities. Dora Harcsa and Violet Hall have not only choreographed the show but have run additional rehearsals showing exceptional leadership as they have coached the students in their performances, and worked with teachers to bring this show together with vibrancy and confidence. Thank you all for your hard work, enthusiasm, and more than a little patience!
Now, please sit back and enjoy the show. I hope you come away feeling the same magic as I did all those years ago… could it be Oom Pah Pah?!
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Lucy Miller
THANK YOUS
THE PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT would like to thank all of the students who are all just brilliant and make working at Leventhorpe so rewarding. However, we could not have put on this production without the help of everyone who appears on this page. Thank you to each and every one of you!
Mr Will Sarjeant, Ms Lucy Miller, Ms Liz Ball, Mrs Amanda Piperaki, Mr Neil Beardsworth and Mrs Catherine Richmond
LIGHTS & SOUND
Ioannis Siriotis
Thomas Penketh
Eddie Brichieri-Colombi
Adam Smith
SCENERY, PROPS & BACKSTAGE
Hollie Dukat
Ava Ellis
Troy Halderman
Amelia Azzopardi
Mrs Erica Dixon
STAGE
MANAGERS & BACKSTAGE CREW
Ned Harding
Zach Elia
Ethan Young
Maisie Tse
Nicole Baker
Isabelle Jordan
Natasha Falkiewicz
Eva Levinson
Kdee Perryman-Sallinger
Daniel Barton
Ellie Benzing
MAKEUP
Zoe Elia
Honey Hemming
Lilly Townsend
PARENTS OF CAST
For all their support
CATERING
Mrs Tanya Johnson and her team
FRONT OF HOUSE
Ms Wendy Shannon, Mrs Kate Ross, Staff & Sixth Form Prefects
CARETAKERS
Mr John Bambury and his team SPONSORS
All those who have taken an advert in this programme and supported its production
PROGRAMME
Mrs Emma Cook
...AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!
