YORK Light Opera Company’s production of Oliver! next week will feature not only regular performers and new members, but also 43 children and an English Bull Terrier named Nelson as Bill Sikes’s dog Bullseye.

“Although they say never work with children or dogs, rehearsals have been great fun, and the children have proved to be very talented – and mostly well behaved!” says publicity officer Tony Reeves.

“We’ve been particularly blessed in casting two excellent Artful Dodgers, Josh Benson for the red team and Jack Armstrong for the blues. They’ve both performed in several productions in York and Josh also appeared on BBC2, playing the young Ernie Wise in Victoria Wood’s Eric & Ernie.”

The role of Oliver will be shared between Reuben Lally, for the red team, and Nathan Christy, for the blues, Nathan having appeared in York Light’s production of The Sound Of Music last year.

The adult cast will be led by “man of many roles” Rory Mulvihill as Fagin, while Nancy will be played by Alexa Chaplin, best remembered for her Polly in Crazy For You and Belle in Beauty And The Beast.

Society newcomer Gavin Shaw will be the evil Bill Sikes, a role the very opposite of his cheerful self.

John Hall, Captain Von Trapp in last year’s show, will be the Beadle, Mr Bumble, while the Widow Corney will be performed by Rosy Rowley, Mrs Noah in last summer’s York Mystery Plays in the Museum Gardens.

Further roles go to Rachael Wilkinson as Nancy’s best friend Bet and society stalwart Geoffrey Turner as the kindly Mr Brownlow.

Martyn Knight’s production of Oliver! will run at York Theatre Royal from March 5 to 16 at 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinees. Tickets can be booked on 01904 623568 or online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk