BURNLEY’S BASICS theatre group are, quite rightly, very proud of their successful alumni who’ve gone on to professional careers in musical theatre.

But after seeing this year’s offering, can I make a rather selfish request: Stop making the kids so good, I want to see them stay in East Lancashire to join our fantastic local societies as adults!

The talent on display on Wednesday night was seriously impressive, none more so than Matthew Horne as Fagin.

A BASICS senior, this young man really is someone his younger and inexperienced cast members can look up to and learn from.

His characterisation was so very good, from the accent right through to the palsy, arthritic shake which he maintained at all times.

He utterly commanded the stage in Reviewing The Situation, although there was a tendancy to over-pronounce some words.

Amelia Horth as Nancy was another senior worth watching, with a strong voice and dramatic skills.

In As Long As He Needs Me, I felt you over used riffs between notes, a pet hate of mine, which meant the emotional impact this can have got a bit lost.

The cheery numbers were great, and I loved the rapor with Bet (Annabel Whiteside) and the boys, as well as the fear and defiance of Bill.

The title role is shared by Jack Roche and Toby Cooke, with Jack standing in for a poorly Toby on Wednesday. His wide-eyed expressions and tiny stature made him perfect for role, and he brought a tear to my eye with Where Is Love.

The Artful Dodger, played by Charles Goodwill, had a great energy on stage. A couple more years’ experience and I’d very much like to see you again in this role.

Another younger member with great energy which translated well into the character was Sean Toms as Noah Claypole, just don’t rush your lines.

Jack Conway as Bill created and maintained menace with his growling tones, but contrast this with some softer speech as it will increase your impact.

Jake Simpson was an excellent Mr Bumble, particularly on the vocals and the seedier side of the beedle. Zoe Allen’s haughty demeanour was just right for Widow Corney.

Undertakers Mr and Mrs Sowerberry (Bradley Porter and Lydia Cooke) were an odd couple - in just the right way for these roles.

Their contrasting deliveries worked well together, and well done on the dark nature of That’s Your Funeral.

Well done to all the other smaller roles. And a note for the Who Will Buy quartet; this is a really tricky song and it sounded great.

The very young ensemble of workhouse boys and Fagin’s gang did a really good job, particularly considering the number of first timers.

BASICS seniors played the ‘adult’ chorus well - although both sections were seriously lacking in boys, which was a shame.

A detailed set was used well, costumes were spot on and the orchestra was sympathetic to the young players.

Killing Nancy so obviously didn’t work for me, and there were a couple of directorial choices which seemed to play down some ‘adult’ elements that I wasn’t keen on.

Overall, this was a brilliant production of one of musical theatre’s most popular shows, and a perfect choice for a youth society with a broad age range.

*Oliver!, BASICS Junior Theatre School, Burnley Mechanics, until Saturday.