This year’s major Musical Theatre Ōamaru production hopes to leave the crowd wanting more.

After taking a year off to recover from 2023's double-header of School of Rock and That Bloody Woman, Musical Theatre Oamaru (MTO) is bringing the universally loved Oliver! to the stage.

The musical is based on Charles Dickens's 1838 novel Oliver Twist. Lionel Bart transformed the tale into a stage show, which debuted in southwest London in 1960 before opening for a record-breaking stint in the West End.

MTO production manager Melissa Yockney says the group is looking forward to putting on the show, and an information evening is being run on Monday (March 3) for people interested in being part of it.

“We’re really excited about bringing this classic musical to life, and giving our juniors the opportunity to join us again at the Opera House,” she says.

“We’re looking for a big cast of youth, aged seven-plus, as the ideal scenario will be to have two casts of youngsters who can alternate performances, and with a large list of characters there are plenty of adult roles too for all ages, be they leads or general ensemble.”

The information night is being held at the Ōamaru Opera House Ink Box, at 6.30pm, with auditions the following weekend. The show will be performed from July 10-19.

Oliver! will be directed by Helen Horsnell, who has been involved with theatre for 50 years, and has directed more than 25 productions including Mamma Mia! and Chicago.

Helen has recently moved from Dunedin to Waimate.

Musical director Samuel Leaper is coming to MTO fresh from winning the Best Musical Director at the Otago-Southland Theatre Awards for the Taieri Musical Society’s 2024 production of Footloose.

He has worked as a musical director in both New Zealand and Australia, has toured the country with a number of bands, and was even one of the inaugural recipients of the band Six60’s musical scholarship, living at 660 Castle Street, in Dunedin while he studied a Bachelor or Music at Otago University.

The vocal coach is Sonya Creedy, and choreographer will be Anna Stuart, assisted by Shannon Bond.

More information on the show and the creative team can be found at the Musical Theatre Ōamaru website.

Melissa says while some junior performers might be involved in the Waitaki Girls’ and Boys’ High School production, and Ōamaru Repertory, they are still encouraged to come along to the information night, if they are keen to be involved.