"It's fun to watch, with different moves and different costumes," asserted Joshua Snelling, who plays the Artful Dodger in the Gilbert and Sullivan production of Oliver! that opened last night and runs until October 17.

On the eve of the opening night Joshua was "nervous, but I think it's going to go well. We've done a lot of rehearsing and we're definitely prepared."

Reflecting on the character he's playing, Joshua described Dodger as someone who "acts like Oliver's best friend, but just to get him to do his dirty jobs. He's charming but he's not such a nice guy, more a criminal."

Joshua has enjoyed playing Dodger, explaining, "He's very big and bold. He's really cocky. It's fun to play a person you don't see every day."

The story of Oliver is one of rags to riches.

Oliver starts off hungry in a workhouse for the poor, and runs away to London to seek his fortune.

He finds it eventually, but meets some very unpleasant characters along the way, including Dodger, and the evil Bill Sykes.

Though there are some sad moments in the play, especially in the second half when Oliver looks as if he's going to loose any chance at happiness, and his friend Nancy gets killed, the first half is "happy, sing-songy," according to Joshua.

"There's lots of happy bits, including the song "Who will buy?" and, of course, the ending is really happy."

The hardest part for Joshua has been "learning where you have to be to say something. There's lots of pressure to get it right so you don't mess up other people."

Juggling rehearsal and school work hasn't been too difficult for the young actor. Rehearsals have been taking place at 7 p.m., so between 3.30 and 7 p.m. there's been a chunk of time to get homework done.

Warwick Academy, where both Joshua and Rian Michelson (who plays Oliver) go to school, has accommodated the extra demands on their time. They are allowed to miss the first lesson of the day, so they can sleep in and not be tired for the rest of the day.

With a young hero and visually exciting production, Oliver! is sure to appeal to younger members of the audience.

Tickets are available online at www.premiertickets.bm and at the City Hall Theatre box office noon to 2 p.m. daily and an hour before curtain time.

Curtain time is 8 p.m. nightly except October 11, on which there is a matinee only at 3 p.m.