With a talented cast of local amateur actors and more than 50 children and young people from all over north Norfolk, Sheringham Little Theatre's production of Lionel Bart's much-loved musical Oliver! promises to have audiences asking for "more".

With a talented cast of local amateur actors and more than 50 children and young people from all over north Norfolk, Sheringham Little Theatre's production of Lionel Bart's much-loved musical Oliver! promises to have audiences asking for "more".

Featuring classic songs including Consider Yourself, Food, Glorious Food and You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two, the show, which opens on April 9, stars Mike Thame as Fagin, husband and wife team Peter and Amanda Howell as Mr Bumble and Widow Corney, and former Sheringham High School student Amy Mallet as Nancy.

Three pairs of youngsters will take turns to play the parts of Oliver and Dodger, with dozens more children and young people appearing as workhouse inmates and members of Fagin's gang.

The production is directed by Paston College performing arts tutor Simon Thompson, who last year took the helm of the Little Theatre's summer repertory production of the sell-out farce Look, No Hans!

Sheringham High School teacher Liz Morgan-Hart is taking on the role of musical director, with Tony Chadwick designing and building sets and Little Theatre seamstress Beryl Patterson creating more than 70 costumes.

The show was chosen by members of the theatre's outreach youth drama groups at Cromer, Holt, Stalham, North Walsham and Sheringham, who were asked to put forward ideas for an Easter holiday production featuring a cast of adults and children.

"Oliver! made perfect sense as a vehicle to mix all generations," said Little Theatre director Debbie Thompson. "It is a full-scale production with an ensemble cast and what is wonderful is that everyone involved is giving their time to raise money for the theatre."

Oliver! runs nightly at Sheringham Little Theatre from April 9 - 17 at 7.30pm, with a matinee on April 10 at 2.30pm. Tickets for Friday and Saturday performances are priced �11 (�6 under 16s, �30 family ticket), with all other performances priced �10 (�5 under 16s, �27 family ticket). All proceeds go to Sheringham Little Theatre. Phone the box office on 01263 822347 to book.