Young Isaac Jarden, at just 11-years-old, plays the pivotal role in Aquinas College's latest production, Oliver.
The college usually assigns the lead roles in their biennial productions to senior students but as the production is the classic story of orphan Oliver Twist, the role needed to go to a younger
student.
Year 7 student Isaac is no stranger to the stage. Last year he played Michael Darling in Centre Stage's Peter Pan. He's been acting since the age of 9 with the role of Simba in The Lion King (with Act 2 in Taupo) and he played the lead role in the St Patrick's Catholic School production of Where are you St Patrick?
Director Toni Henderson is juggling no less than 83 students in the stage show...and a dog too, Bullseye. The show includes favourites such as Food Glorious Food, Where is the Love and As Long as he Needs Me accompanied by a 17-piece orchestra (led by music
teacher Lynda Wing).
Otherlead roles include Sam Graham as Fagin, Sam's brother Michael as the Artful Dodger, Sam Pittar as Bill Sikes, Erin Taylor-Levey as Nancy and Fergus Janissen as Mr Bumble.
