SHOWBIZ types say never work with children or animals, but a troop of players in Davenham are ignoring this advice - at least in part. 

Mid Cheshire Musical Theatre Company's (MCMTC) members have been creeping the boards in and around Northwich for nearly 100 years, and its young persons’ section, Mid Cheshire Youth Theatre (MCYT) has been going strong since 1986.

Now, for the first time in the company’s long history, MCMTC’s current show Oliver! sees both sections on stage together for five performances at Northwich Memorial Court in February.

Northwich Guardian: Louis McManus looking especially artful is his role as DodgerLouis McManus looking especially artful is his role as Dodger (Image: MCMTC)

Their production of Lionel Bart’s iconic stage musical, on which the 1968 Carol Reed film is based, includes numbers audiences will know very well, including Food, Glorious Food, I’d Do Anything, and Consider Yourself.

MCMTC house manager, Barbara Turner, says the logistics of having both companies working together has been ‘challenging at times’, but she feels they should be taking advantage having such a talented band of performers from across all the ages ranges.

Northwich Guardian: The cast of Oliver! outside Weaver Hall Museum, which was actually a real workhouse The cast of Oliver! outside Weaver Hall Museum, which was actually a real workhouse (Image: MCMTC)

“There’s a real feelgood factor with all the kids and the adults working together onstage," said Barbara.

"It’s going to be a wonderful show.

“Preparations have been a bit tricky as they usually they rehearse on different nights.

“We’ve had to pull them all together, and it’s quite crowded.

Northwich Guardian: Mid Cheshire Youth Company rehearsing an ensemble numberMid Cheshire Youth Company rehearsing an ensemble number (Image: MCMTC)

“The director’s dealing with it very well though, and the musical director is really excellent.

“We’re hoping all the parents, grandmas, and aunties will come along and enjoy the show.

“The principles are brilliant. We’ve got a lovely little Oliver, Thomas Linney, who sings and looks like an angel.

Northwich Guardian: This will be the first time the adult and youth sections will appear together in a full productionThis will be the first time the adult and youth sections will appear together in a full production (Image: MCMTC)

“And we’ve got a very, very wicked Bill Sykes, played by Michael Corteen, and Michael Shneck’s Fagin is out of this world.

“We decided not to have a Bullseye (Bill’s dog) as there are lots of regulations about having animals on stage.

“I’m certain the audience will be singing along as the songs are all very well known, but it also means we’ve got to get everything just right.

“The script’s not the same as the film, but the songs everyone knows are the same."

Oliver! runs from Wednesday, February 21, to Saturday, February 24, at Northwich Memorial Court. Tickets are available online.

Performances start at 7.30pm all days, and there is a matinee performance at 2.00pm on Saturday.

Barbara added: “We’ve had a cast photoshoot at Weaver Hall, which used to be the workhouse in Northwich.

“All the orphans including Oliver Twist were in the workhouse, so we thought that was very apt.”