CHARLES Dickens was 25 when he wrote Oliver and Nickolai Foster, who is directing the production of the same name at Hereford Courtyard, is equally miraculously young.

Miraculous because of the number of characters which each has had to keep in his head while working on the text, as well as the life experience which each brings to the story.

The new director to the venue marks a change in season.

Gone is the saccharine; it is great to see a classic like Lionel Bart's Oliver! stripped down to the bare bones.

The set is both awesome and empowering - towering over the auditorium at 25 foot - from which springs Fagin's den, the workhouse, Mr Brownlow's home, and the scene of the final denouement on London Bridge.

The community cast in this Courtyard production do themselves proud (as ever) and the cracks between professional and amateur are barely perceivable.

Credit for this must go to both director and professionals alike, who scoop the community players into their midst. It is an impressive feat.

The children are great, both as orphans and vagabonds, and there is some excellent choreography from Val Jones, involving good changes in tempo and scale.

Josie Walker is incredibly strong as the heroine of the piece, Nancy, and it comes as no surprise to learn she has an Olivier-award nomination to her name.

Her powerful voice filled the auditorium and her presence was felt from the moment she arrived on stage - flaming red hair and dressed to match.

I loved Jason Haigh's Bill Sykes for his menacing reservedness, but his huskiness seemed to affect his vocal capacity and he is more shadowy than villainous.

Philip Cox presents a younger Fagin than some may prefer but his beard may grow and, again, his subtlety is all - he also makes a fine job of the two key songs, Got To Pick a Pocket Or Two and Reviewing The Situation.

Peter Edbrook and Judith Street as Mr Bumble and Widow Corney make a fine pairing as the couple of n'er do wells at Oliver's first home - the workhouse - and I think their humour will ferment nicely with the run.

My only confusion was with the Birmingham setting for the workhouse and the volume of the orchestra when the young cast were singing, because it seemed to unnerve them.

But all in, small niggles.

Congratulations go to the young players taking the lead roles of Oliver and the Artful Dodger - a big ask in this setting - and to the Courtyard for pulling in such a rising star to direct, and putting on another great show.

Oliver! runs to September 24. Call to book on 0870 1122330.