SIR,

Of all the musicals produced in the last 50 years, Oliver must surely rank as one of the most popular, memorable and successful.

The hugely powerful songs, composed, and lyrics written, by Lionel Bart, a Galician Jew, who could neither read nor write music, leave an indelible imprint on the listener.

To take on a work which is not only familiar to many, and to also bring a fresh approach, is not easy.

Monmouth Music Theatre carried off a seamless and superb performance of Oliver, supported by the excellent West End standard orchestra directed and conducted by Ian Russell, attracting record breaking audience attendances over four nights at The Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls.

This is the first time Monmouth Music Theatre has produced a show on this scale with a full cast of children, and it was clear that the collaborative working bond between the adults and younger members has proven a great success.

The lead characters in Fagin, Nancy and Bill Sykes were played by three quite individual actors who stamped their own takes on the roles, rather than slavishly following the now almost clichéd characterisations of the 1968 Shepperton Studios made film played by Ron Moody and Oliver Reed.

The star role of Oliver shared between Oliver Riba-Fookes and Josh Morgan was well played out with impish and rascallish appeal, drawing in the audience, and their singing of Where is Love great tear jerking stuff.

Amongst the younger cast overall, one could detect potential acting careers in the making here without a doubt.

In addition to stirring performances from the menacing Bill Sykes (Nick Thompson) and strong but fated Nancy (Rachel Stevens) as well as the rest of the cast, it was Reuben Jones's energetic performance of the tragi-comic figure of Fagin which left a lump in my throat.

His obvious enjoyment exploring the many angles and interpretations of this strange dark figure was an experience and a pleasure to watch.

Congratulations to Monmouth Music Theatre for producing a show of epic proportions with professionalism and giving such enjoyment to its audiences.

Nelson Whaley

(Monmouth)