AUDIENCES may well be left asking for more when the Young Theatre at Beaconsfield performs Lionel Bart's award-winning musical, Oliver! next week.

First performed in 1960, the show is a loose adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic work, Oliver Twist.

"It's a very, accessible, family-orientated show," says director Mark Oldknow. "There's really nothing in there that you would not want a young child to see, there's a real familiarity with the music and plenty of songs that everyone likes.

"Oliver! has all the elements you want in a good show, but has more to it than many other "dancy" productions."

Set during the Victorian era, the story revolves around a young orphan (played by Christian Northwood), who endures a hard life in the workhouse. After a courageous rebellion, Oliver finds himself cast out and forced to make his own way in the world.

The show, which received a Tony award for best composer and lyricist and was turned into a film in 1969, features a number of memorable musical numbers including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself and You've Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two.

Mark says he has stayed faithful to Bart's music and lyrics, but has partially changed the setting. Now the action takes place as a show produced by a Victorian theatre company, or as a play within a play.

He says: "Hopefully what I have done, with a small cast of 20, is create a much more intimate set of characters, who appear on stage throughout the show.

"It's a real ensemble piece and in my mind, every single member of the cast is as important as any other."

The Young Theatre production also places a weightier emphasis on Victorian poverty, something Mark believes Dickens wanted to emphasise.

He explains: "I think it's really important to do that. There are plenty of productions that forget the bottom end of society, so Oliver! just becomes this nice play with great music.

"But it is actually quite a dark piece. I think you get a more realistic and far richer palette if you add in these dark undertones."

That said, Mark wanted the show to remain family friendly and says that the "nastiest" part of the show - the murder of Nancy - has been dealt with "sensitively".

He adds: "Our production will give you a greater sense of what Dickens wanted to achieve with his book and Bart with his adaptation.

"The end result is that people will get to see a very good musical done with passion and integrity from an exceptionally young and talented cast."

Oliver! is at The Curzon Centre, Maxwell Road, Beaconsfield, from Thursday, February 21 to Saturday, February 23, 7.30pm. Matinee Saturday 2.30pm. Tickets: 07768 206495 or www.youngtheatre.org.uk