In July 1992 Walney Amateur Operative Society announced the full cast for its forthcoming November production of the tuneful Lionel Bart classic musical Oliver!

The musical is based upon the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Oliver! was the first musical adaptation of a famous Charles Dickens work to become a stage hit.

Taking the title role in Walney Amateurs' production - with the famous task of asking for more - would be Tim Henshaw.

Michelle Larcombe had been cast as the Artful Dodger and Lisa Sharrock would portray Nancy.

Bill Calvert had been chosen to play Fagin, Andrew Bond would be the evil Bill Sikes and Terry Henshaw the famous Mr Bumble.

Mr and Mrs Strawberry would be played by Ian Harper and Sandra Adams, Noah Claypole by Lee Kenyon and Charlotte by Louise Wells.

Helen Oakley would play Bet, Sheila Thorne would be Widow Corney and Jack Davidson would play Mr Brownlow.

Mrs Bedwin would be played by Joan Davidson, Dr Grimwig by David Fidler and Charley Bates by Chris Watkins.

The show, which features such blockbuster hits as I'm Reviewing The Situation, Oom Pah Pah, Consider Yourself, As Long As He Needs Me and Who Will Buy? was due to open at Forum 28 at Barrow on November 16.

The director was David Fidler.

On November 17 The Mail duly reported that Walney Amateur Operatic Society could not let its 60th anniversary go unnoticed.

In spite of not having produced a show since My Fair Lady in 1988, the society had bounced back at Forum 28 the previous evening with opening night of Oliver!

The opening night – sponsored by The Mail – had been well supported and chairman Jack Davidson reported that tickets for Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday had already sold exceptionally well.

The society had also staged Oliver! back in 1988.