SKIPTON will be taken back to Victorian London when Skipton Musical Theatre Company performs Oliver! over the October half-term.

And making his first ever appearance in a large-scale musical will be 12-year-old Erymsted's Grammar School pupil Benny Hick from Silsden.

He will take on the title role of orphan Oliver, who finds himself in the criminal-infested London underworld. He falls in with a gang of child pickpockets, but falls foul of the sinister Fagin and evil Bill Sykes.

But help is at hand from Bill’s girlfriend Nancy and the kindly Mr Brownlow, and Oliver eventually discovers the truth about his past.

In this production, Fagin is played by Dale Chadwick, a regular performer on the amateur stage, while Steve Charlton will take on the role of Bill Sykes and Skipton MTC favourite Helen Procter will play Nancy.

The principals are supported by a cast of 17 children from throughout Craven, including Ruth Garrett from Skipton as Dodger, and a large chorus of adults.

The show - which includes numbers such as Food, Glorious Food, You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two and I'd Do Anything - is directed by Craig Cowdroy and the musical director is Cathy Sweet.

"All the cast have been working hard to produce what will be a fabulous show, with lots of fast-paced dancing numbers, and a few unexpected twists," said MTC chairman Anita Eccles.

Performances will take place at Skipton's Mart Theatre from Thursday, October 30 to Saturday, November 1 and tickets are available from 01756 709666, themarttheatre.org.uk or the SMTC website,skiptonmtc.co.uk