AS NEMusicals York head into the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, director Steve Tearle says he wants something more from Oliver!.

"Not until you direct a production as special as this do you really appreciate the amazing music of Lionel Bart," he says, in the lead-up to next Wednesday's opening night as the New and Exciting Musicals company return to a show they last presented in 2015.

"I wanted to bring something different to the York stage, not only just to deliver this amazing story of an orphanage boy in 19th century London, but also to redefine the characters and give them even more depth and characterisation. We've had the most fun on this production, with more than 50 people in the cast, and it's been an amazing time through our Oliver! journey."

Introducing his principal cast, Steve says: "Will Roberts takes on Oliver in his first lead role and delivers a very special performance; Jack Hambleton plays the Artful Dodger, having taken on many leading roles with Pick Me Up Theatre and following on from his outstanding performance in The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

"Emma Joyce Dickinson joins the company from York Light after playing Anna in The King And I and she's the perfect Nancy in every way. James O'Neil reprises his role as the evil Bill Sykes from our 2015 production, but this time we've really explored every angle of Bill's character and he's even darker.

NEMusicals regular Richard Rogers will be Mr Bumble. "Richard has created a beautifully crafted character that will have you laughing and crying, while Lorraine Hodgson will be the saucy Widow Corney, and very saucy she is," says Steve. "We've had so much fun reimagining this character.

York Press:

Jack Hambleton as the Artful Dodger, left, and Will Roberts as Oliver in Oliver! at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York

"Kevin Bowes and Perri Ann Barley will play Mr and Mr Sowerberry like you've never seen them before; Kelvin Grant will be the upstanding Mr Brounlow; Julie Blackburn joins us from Rowntree Players to play the wonderful Mrs Bedwin; Hannah Wakelam will play the vibrant Bet."

Steve will revisit his role as Fagin from the 2015 show. "This time I want him to be more sinister and make him have a lot more depth as Charles Dickens wrote him," he says.

"We also have amazing people in the ensemble and the children are simply awesome," he adds. "Musical director Jess Douglas and I are very lucky to have such a talented cast."

Putting on his director's hat, Steve dislikes blackouts in shows as "they halt the story and slow up the action". "So, with no blackouts, our Oliver! is fast paced, but it's also brought on its own challenges, which we've risen to," he says. "By using a backdrop designed by Robert Readman and Tech 24, we've created the correct atmosphere for this production."

NEMusicals York adopts a charity for each production to "raise money to support them and build a better future". "For Oliver!, we're supporting a great charity, Stimul8: an exciting new project to help disabled children in York to build a leisure and training facility in the city," says Steve. "The cast will be out front at the end of each show to collect for this worthwhile cause."

Oliver! will run from April 25 to 28 at 7.30pm nightly plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee. "Ticket availability is now limited for this amazing production, so if you want to join us for a truly different theatre experience, get your seats fast," advises Steve. Priced £13 to £18, they are on sale at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk or on 01904 501935.