Oliver Twist at The Park Square Theatre is a Winner

Neil Bartlett's Oliver Twist at The Park Square Theatre is one of the best shows I've seen recently. As soon as the curtain lifted (with the assistance of a cast member) I was taken with the set. It was simply a room, but crated with such perspective lines that you are drawn in. The colors and application of the paint on the walls reminded me of a painting by Turner, dingy but artful. The wonderful set and other technical aspects are only the begining of this wonderful show.

J. M. W. Turner - Rain, Steam and Speed - The Great Western Railway

The smoothly transitioning lighting effects and creative sound effects were brilliant. Throughout the show there are sound effects that draw you in and give you a better feel of the scene, whether it is the sound of dripping water or a haunting melody. Many sound effects are done by the actors directly on stage. The creativity of performing the sound effects on stage made the subtle sounds stand out more without the amplifying them to an unnatural volume.

Many of the props and sets are simple, but so cleverly used and gracefully moved that the show seamlessly flows from one scene to another. In scenes where traveling occurs, chairs, boards, and buildings sketched on canvas (with other cast members to move them) change the landscape seamlessly as the characters move along. In two scenes in particular, one where The Dodger is bringing Oliver to Fagin’s lair and another where Nancy is going to meet the Browmows, the props are moved with such grace of movement. The actors move the props as if dancing with them, a simple dance that could rival those in large musicals. It was exquisite.

Photo by Petronella Ytsma

And then there is the acting, with standout performances by Stephen Cartmell as The Dodger and Steve Hendrickson as Fagin.  Everything Cartmell did appeared flawless. He starts out as a narrator who helps to introduce the tale and inspire Oliver. He then becomes The Dodger, tricky and quick but also protective of Oliver. Hendrickson delivers a performance that at times reminded me of Geoffrey Rush in Pirates of the Caribbean. Hendrickson really shined during his mad ramblings in jail. The only part of the acting that did not impress me was Oliver Twist himself. Don’t get me wrong, there was nothing necessarily bad about Coon’s performance, it was just was not an outstanding part, which struck me as odd since it is the title role. It could be the nature of the show, where Oliver is somewhat like a prop himself, being moved through the plot by outside forces.  He does, after all, seem to have very few lines. Although Coon had some unpolished moments, he has more than enough talent for an actor of his age.

Photo by Petronella Ytsma

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised in the excellence of this show. I advise everyone to check it out! (Seriously, I called my mom right after and told her to go.) It runs through November 6, 2011. Info and tickets here.

I went to this show with a friend. She wrote a review for a legitimate news source. Check it out here!