Memories made in theatre

Errol and Berrick Beere, Nicky Lefebvre and Ian Smith take a break during rehearsals for the upcoming musical production, Oliver! Image by Rebecca Mann.
As opening night approaches for the team behind Margaret River’s latest musical production, director Ian Smith and actors Errol Beere and Nicky Lefebvre took a break from rehearsals on Sunday to reflect on the deep ties that connect them to the show.
“All theatre group productions are important to me,” explained Smith.
“But this one holds a really special place in my heart. Oliver! was the first production I was involved in with the Margaret River Theatre Group (MRTG), and the theatre bug well and truly latched on.”
Forty years after the MRTG staged the musical in 1985, they will again bring Dickens’ tale of Oliver Twist, the Artful Dodger and a cast of talented locals to the HEART for four performances in June.
After four decades of performing, directing shows and soaking up the world’s finest theatre from Busselton to Broadway, Smith said the time was right to revisit the beloved story.
“I ummed and aahed about taking it on, it’s an enormous production with more than 50 cast members, not to mention a huge crew behind the scenes, logistically it’s a massive show.
“But I just knew it was meant to be, from selecting our show dates to bringing the team together, everyone was on board and as passionate as I am about creating a wonderful experience for our audiences.”
While Smith was donning his orphan’s costume as a 10 year old, up in Perth, singer and actor (and editor of this newspaper) Nicky Lefebvre was being introduced to the songs that would become a mainstay of her repertoire for years to come.

“My mum gave me her original Oliver! cast recording album from 1966,” Lefebvre said.
“It was all I played on my little brown record player for a very long time, until I discovered the rest of her musical vinyls and pilfered those too!”
Instantly resonating with Lionel Bart’s rousing melodies and exciting, fast-paced lyrics, Lefebvre became enthralled with the show. After seeing Shani Wallis in the 1968 film version of the tale, she was hooked.
“I decided at the age of about 8 or 9 that I would one day play Nancy – I loved her red dress, her kind nature and her ability to smile through some pretty average treatment.
“It was a no-brainer that I would audition for this show, aside from playing my all-time dream role, I’m also doing it alongside my best friends and a bunch of wonderful theatre nerds.”
Also on board is Errol Beere, who will take on the role of head-thief and troubled soul, Fagin, alongside his son Berrick, who plays Oliver.
His children MacKenzie and Jordan are also in the show, performing in the ensemble cast.
“It’s fantastic to be doing this with three of my kids,” Beere said.
“All MRTG shows are fun, but to be able to share this with them, and see them shine on the stage is really exciting.
“It’s been great to be able to rehearse together, learn our lines and choreography, and to be able to help each other as we go.
“People are going to be really impressed with this production, from the set to the costumes, the performances, it’s going to blow everyone’s socks off.”
Oliver! is at the Margaret River HEART Nala Bardip Mia from 7pm on June 20, 21, 27 and 28.
Tickets (Adults $25 | Children $20 | ArtsMR Members $22) are available at artsmargaretriver.com.au