General News
6 May, 2024
Oliver! to hit the local stage
The Maryborough Theatre Company (MTC) is warming their vocal cords and putting on their dancing shoes as they prepare for their first full-scale production since 2019 with the musical Oliver! Based on the classic Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist...
The Maryborough Theatre Company (MTC) is warming their vocal cords and putting on their dancing shoes as they prepare for their first full-scale production since 2019 with the musical Oliver!
Based on the classic Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist, the Tony award winning play will be enthralling entertainment for the community according to co-director Geoff Hardwick.
“We have been trying to get Oliver! done since 2018 as it is a wonderful play and we can have all our age groups come and work together on the one show,” he said.
“I actually did Oliver! 60 years ago professionally, so to me it has felt like opening up a whole new world again and taken me back 60 years.
“The show is absolute fun, it’s full of everything, it has got love stories, sad stories, mayhem, murder — it is a full on family show.
“The songs are absolutely wonderful as well, most people know the songs so they can sing along which is pretty cool.”
MTC last performed in 2021 with All Together Now! where theatre companies across the world came together to create a streamed production to be enjoyed during COVID-19 restrictions.
Having last performed in front of a full crowd in 2019 with A Kid Summer Night’s Dream, choreographer Abby Hansen said the entire group is excited to put on a show.
“It’s beautiful to have a sense of community again and having a group that shares the same passion interest for theatre,” she said
“It has been a long time since we have been on stage, so it is great to be able to hone our skills again and have that time on stage.
“Everyone has been putting in 110 percent for four months and I think it shows the commitment that we have to put on something like this.”
Ms Hansen said she is hopeful the community continues to support local productions, as they provide great opportunities for everyone involved.
“Definitely for country towns, it is important for people to have the opportunity to see theatre — not many people get the opportunity to go see all the big stuff so it is nice to have some local plays,” she said.
“It gives the young ones a chance to have that experience before moving on to bigger stuff and it’s a chance for them to show off their skills in front of their friends and family.”
Oliver! will run for three shows from Thursday, May 16 to Saturday, May 18, with each show starting from 7 pm at the Maryborough Education Centre Performing Arts Centre.
For more information, and to buy tickets, visit the Maryborough Theatre Company Facebook Page to find the Trybooking link.
