Alberta is famous for its western traditions and the cowboy way – especially in rural communities.
Therefore, when someone speaks about a wrangler in Rosebud, it naturally conjures up images of a tough cowboy, skilled in the art of rounding up cattle with horse and lasso.
While she doesn’t require either, Belinda Jackson is becoming very skilled at managing 20 pickpockets ranging in age from eight to fifteen.
Every performance of Oliver! requires eight workhouse boys. It’s up to Jackson to coordinate their schedules and travel times from Calgary, Olds, Standard and Strathmore with the performance dates and times of Oliver!
For Jackson, the task has been a challenge that she readily accepted.
“I wasn’t really certain what I was getting into, but I was confident I could handle it,” she says. “Overall, the kids have been wonderful to work with. They certainly are an exuberant bunch, with a fair amount of excess energy. I like the fact that they are quick to learn about blocking and music, and they listen well to instruction backstage. I’m looking forward to the challenges of ‘wrangling’ them for the duration of Oliver!.”
Artistic director Morris Ertman has been impressed with Jackson’s handling of the youngsters as well as their onstage performances.
“The kids in this show have been absolutely fantastic - focused, committed and of course utterly charming. There’s an energy that children bring to a production that ignites both the rest of the cast and the audience to create a truly unique experience. There is a brassy innocence about them that serves the story so well. And they really do love the stage, which is the most infectious part of it all. Their joy and mischief is a palpable treat in this production. Kids – you gotta love ‘em!”
Making up more than half of the total cast in Oliver!, the kids come from a variety of communities that surround Rosebud including Calgary to the south, Olds to the north and Hanna to the east.
The commitment on the part of the kids and their parents is enormous and welcome.
“It’s a testament to the hard work of the 20 kids that no matter which group of eight is performing there is a consistency in their portrayal of work house boys as part of Fagan’s roving gang of pickpocket thieves,” explains Jackson.
Oliver!, follows the trials and tribulations of a young orphan boy in Victorian London as he makes his way from a starving workhouse boy to lovable pickpocket and eventually to adored son.
Oliver! runs until August 29,
2010 at the Rosebud Theatre Opera House. There are both matinee and evening shows. Evening shows are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Matinees are on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets are available to purchase by calling the Rosebud Theatre box office at 1-800-267-7553. For more information visit www.rosebudtheatre.com
