Starring in Oliver! is a dream for Nicola Blake. She tells Katherine MacAlister why...

NANCY’S journey in Oliver! is almost as adventurous as that of her counterpart – actress Nicola Blake.

But unlike Nancy, who comes to a grisly end, Nicola’s casting in the renowned musical, is a triumph of hope over adversity. Having quit musical theatre to teach drama at Abingdon & Witney College where she herself was a pupil, Nicola has won a title role in this classic show, and is back on stage singing her heart out.

“Who cares if straight-laces sneer at us in the street? Fine airs and fine graces don’t have to sin to eat,” Nancy belts out, in rehearsals, delighted and proud to be treading the boards once more.

She is part of the Oxford Operatic Society which is producing the ambitious musical, a year in the planning. Having joined in 2015, this will be Nicola’s fourth stage show with the Oxford company.

And while she played lead Elwood in Legally Blonde, Oliver! is a complete departure.

“It’s such an iconic role, so has been quite a challenge to find her truth in terms of the grittiness of the story.

“But Nancy is someone who has a lot of love to give but never had enough in her life to identify with. So there are a lot of highs and lows.”

Born in Kidlington, Nicola went to school at Gosford Hill and joined MYCO, before heading up to London. Soon realising her forte lay in teaching, she managed to bag a top job at Abingdon & Witney College where she now teaches drama and is passionate about her vocation.

Performing then took a bit of a back seat, until now as Nicola rehearses hard for her week-long debut as Bill Sykes’ unfortunate and downtrodden love interest.

“There is always a part of me that misses being up on stage, even though I get a real sense of reward from teaching, so this is the best of both worlds,” she says.

And although Nicola’s pupils are much older than the young band of Fagin’s ‘street urchins’ in the musical, as a teacher, the 27 year-old is well versed in dealing with the large cast of children who feature in Oliver!

“They all auditioned and were whittled down from 250 children to 50, and then split into two different casts, so the ones that did get through are really talented and disciplined.

“They know how lucky they are to be here and their retainment of the lines, dance steps and songs has been remarkable to watch,” she tells me.

And what of those who’d pass it off as am dram? “OOS is really a semi-professional company because of the bank of people in the industry on its books, all of whom want to be the best they can be so their productions are of a very high standard.”

The operatic tag, is also rather misleading, only a few of the company’s productions having been opera led. “It is deceiving,” Nicola agrees.

So what can we expect of the production itself then? “It is very true to its Dickensian roots, with all of the best loved characters, made as real as possible and developed as an upbeat show for a family audience. So expect all your favourite songs from Consider Yourself At Home to Food Glorious Food

“It’s amazing to be part of,” the 27 year-old says.

But with all her pupils coming to see it next week, Nicola is under more pressure than most. “It doesn’t matter because I’m loving every minute of it, and it means I’m always learning which is something I can then pass onto my pupils, and never get stuck in my ways.

“Because everything moves on and theatre is no exception, so of it does mean I’m rushing about a bit, teaching by day, performing by night, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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