THE society brought Dickensian London to the Grieg Hall last week with their rich production of Lionel Bart's musical.

From the opening chords of Food Glorious Food to the closing bars of the finale, the audience was treated to an evening of well-presented songs and performances presented on an ingeniously simple yet convincing multipurpose stage set serving as workhouse, undertakers, street and Thames bridge.

Jeff and Lynda Gills provided solid performances as Mr Bumble and Widow Corney and Malcolm Steward was every inch the epitome of the undertaker as Mr Sowerby, Mrs Sowerby being equally well portrayed by Malcolm's wife, Alex.

Millie Coles truly shone as their daughter, Charlotte Sowerby.

Debbie Salkeld acquitted herself admirably as Nancy opposite an impressive performance from Mark Fossey, whose rich voice brought purpose and menace to Bill Sykes.

Both young James Burman and Peter Hanman did sterling jobs as Oliver and The Artful Dodger.

Graham Robson was built to play Fagin and he did so with enthusiasm and conviction, supported throughout by superb collection of waifs and strays and, as they say, a full supporting cast.

The only small fly in the otherwise smooth ointment was the visibility of a number of the stage crew when moving scenery and props without curtains, which could have been avoided by ensuring they all wore black from head to foot.

Other than that, this was a thoroughly enjoyable performance all round, which is no more than we have come to expect from this hard-working and talented society.

Robert Eccleston