IT would appear that NE Musicals York have undergone a name change to the shortest theatre company moniker in York: NE.
Once NE stood for New Earswick, the company’s roots. Now it is an anagram for creating “NEW & EXCITING” musical productions.
Formed in 1914 as the New Earswick Dramatic Society, the society has mutated into New Earswick Dramatic and Operatic Society, New Earswick Operatic Society, New Earswick Musical Society and latterly NE Musicals York.
Anyway, here comes NE’s latest new and exciting production, Lionel Bart’s musical Oliver!, now well into rehearsals for the November 16 to 26 run at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York.
The NE creative team behind Wind In The Willows and Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical will stage a revised version of Oliver!, complementing the familiar songs and characters with added scenes that “bring the story to life in more detail”.
The show-stopping songs are all there, including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, Who Will Buy?, As Long As He Needs Me and Where Is Love?
Two teams of performers will play alternate performances, led by Zachary Pickersgill and Fin Walker sharing the role of Oliver Twist, the boy who asks for more. Henry Barker and Toby Jensen will be the Artful Dodger; Perri Ann Barley and Maia Stroud, Nancy, and Fiona Ann Cameron and Aileen Stables, Widow Corney.
At each performance, director Steve Tearle will play Fagin, James O’Neil, Bill Sikes, and Chris Hagyard, Mr Bumble.
“We have an amazing set, costumes designed exclusively for this production and 50 children in the opening number,” says Steve, who is joined in the production team by musical director Scott Phillips and choreographer Ellie Roberts. “This is an epic production not to be missed: a night at the theatre for the whole family to remember.”
Tickets are on sale on 01904 501935 or at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk. Performance times: 7.30pm, November 16 to 19 and 22 to 26; 2.30pm matinees, November 19 and 26.
