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25
Mar 2022
Ripon actors to stage Oliver! after a twist in their tale
Ripon Amateur Operatic Society is finally set to stage Oliver! after a two-year wait and behind the scenes dramas.
The award-winning musical will be staged at Harrogate Theatre from April 20 to 23.
The production was delayed by covid and thrown into some doubt, when RAOS could not contact Crewe-based rights holder MusicScope, to whom a £500 deposit had been paid to secure the rights for the show.
RAOS committee member Hannah Ruddy told the Stray Ferret:
The Stray Ferret has also attempted to contact MusicScope via the telephone number and email address on their website and, at the time of publication, had not received a response.
Hannah Ruddy says the show will go on despite hold-ups and a financial blow.
In the difficult position it was facing, RAOS contacted MTI, which owns the rights to a newer version of Oliver! and following an initial refusal, the application for the rights to perform the musical was finally approved after weeks of negotiations.
Ms Ruddy said:
Two-year wait
RAOS, which holds its rehearsals at Ripon Arts Hub, was originally due to stage its production of Oliver! at Harrogate Theatre in April 2020.
Following the first covid lockdown, the show was rescheduled for September 2021. However, Harrogate Borough Council's need to carry out urgent roof repairs at the Victorian building meant that the show could not go on last year.
Ms Ruddy said:
For ticket bookings and further information click on https://www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/Oliver
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