The Live Nation Stage Experience assembled what seemed like a cast of thousands to present Lionel Bart's Oliver! at the New Theatre last weekend. This was a splendid achievement for youth theatre in general and for Live Nation in particular. The leading roles were taken by young actors, almost all in their teens, who draw on skills and experience beyond their years. They were supported by several hundred younger singers and dancers, together with a dog called Gucci (who was endowed with a particularly expressive tail) in the role of Bill Sykes's Bullseye.

A number of the principal players looked like stars in the making. I was particularly struck by Eleanor Fanyinka, who on Thursday night took the role of Nancy. She has a tremendous stage presence and a mature singing voice, and made Nancy's unhappy end appear unexpectedly regrettable. It was no surprise to see in the programme that she is to start a course at Lamda in the autumn.

Another eye-catcher was young Andrew McIntosh as the Artful Dodger. He, too, oozed confidence and charm but without overshadowing George Glister (pictured) who was admirable in the title role.

Unlike some student productions I've seen, the actors in the roles of older people really looked and sounded the part and didn't come across as young people pretending to be old. Howard Grater, as Mr Bumble the beadle, was particularly convincing, as was Lorna McAlley as his loud-mouthed wife, the former Mrs Corney. Edward Blagrove made a strangely sinister Bill Sykes.

Not surprisingly, this was a pretty boisterous production. The songs are, of course, well known. But Food, Glorious Food takes on a whole new dimension when it is sung fortissimo and accompanied by a hundred or so workhouse children banging their tin bowls on the table and floor, helped along by a well amplified band.

The set, costumes and music (under John Beswick's direction) were all highly professional and director Rodney Howard succeeded remarkably in creating a production of such a high standard with a cast that had no fewer than 22 chaperones backstage.