A SWEET-FACED little boy as Oliver and a superb character actor as Fagin, and you cannot fail with a production of Oliver Bart's masterpiece.

Timmy Spalding, 11, is excellent as Oliver, not only looking the part, but singing well, and he was word perfect on the first night.

There were a few moist eyes after he sang Where is Love? which was quite beautiful.

His brother, Richard, 14, played the Artful Dodger well, but at times was difficult to understand.

As expected, Nigel Preece made a terrific Fagin, not over-playing the part - a trap some actors fall into - and not trying to copy Ron Moody. His version of Reviewing the Situation was one of the highlights.

The show began on a high note, with Food, Glorious Food sung so well by the youngsters, in key and well-timed, and the musical numbers in general were excellent. Oom-Pah-Pah is always great fun, and the Who Will Buy routine was most enjoyable.

Sarah Richards gave a fine performance as Nancy, and As Long As He Needs Me was another high spot of the show.

Julian Richards and Jill Parmenter made a good double act as Mr Bumble and Widow Corney, especially in I Shall Scream, and the rest of the cast played their parts well, notably a new find for the society, Steve Coussens, who impressed as a very menacing Bill Sikes.

There was a good supporting cast - Emily Preece, as Bet, Dave Preece and Sue Preece as Mr and Mrs Sowerberry, Charlie Combes as Mr Brownlow, Claire Hadland as Mrs Bedwin, Emma Paine as Charlotte and David Clarke, as Noah Claypole.

The singing throughout was of a very high standard, under the direction of David Howles, and producer Darren Richards must be congratulated on a first-class show. VJS