Oliver! by Lionel Bart has been a stalwart of the musicals world and this performance by Leventhorpe pupils was everything it should have been and, dare we say it......MOOOOORE!

The Performing Arts Department had just 10 weeks to produce this show, with auditions taking place at the very beginning of this academic year.  And yet, under the direction of Miss Miller, the student performers, backstage crew and production team together proved that no challenge is too great!

There was no end of talent on show throughout the performances with Daniel Wheeldon in Year 8 superbly playing the lead as the orphaned boy, Oliver Twist.  Will Bray's strong tenor voice as Mr Bumble paired beautifully with the soprano vocals from Emily Hare as Widow Corney, the workhouse pair who conspire to sell Oliver to the creepy funeral directors Mr & Mrs Sowerbury, played by Guy Anthony and Daisy Philips.

Maria Thira played the beautiful and sympathetic Nancy perfectly along with her bestie, Bet, played by Violet Hall.  The sinister Bill Sykes was convincingly played by Sid Martin while Zach Smith gave a wonderful performance as the career criminal, Fagin.  Lani Calladine and Evie Davies delighted the audience with their energetic and perfectly choreographed numbers as the Artful Dodger and his sidekick, Charley Bates.

The dance performances, which even included some acrobatics, were superb in both their choreography and performance and credit must be given to Dora Harcsa and Violet Hall, both in Year 11, who not only choreographed but also coached the cast throughout rehearsals.

And it wasn't just on the stage where evidence of skills and leadership could be found but also behind the scenes with student-led tech and backstage crews as well as in the members of the band who played the score throughout the entire show.

This wasn't just an incredible show and a fantasic evening's entertainment, it was a perfect demonstation of what it means to be a student at Leventhorpe and to develop it's key values of Execellence, Commitment and Respect.