THERE was a special feeling around the Thameside complex in Grays this evening (Tuesday, 5 October, when musical theatre returned to its threatened theatre's stage.

Highly acclaimed borough-based TOPs on Stage finally brought their production of Lionel Bart's 'Oliver' to life after 18 months of waiting.

The show was due to be staged last march but was cancelled because of Covid-19 and in the interim the spectre of the theatre's closure by cash-strapped Thurrock Council has loomed large over the borough's arts, music, dance and cultural scene.

But with the somewhat belated acceptance by the council that live entertainment could happen again at the Thameside, TOPS followed last week's production by fellow borough stage group Thurrock Courts Players of 'A Butler Did It' with tonight's opening performance.

As director Simon Lambert wrote in his programme notes, the show came together because of the group's resilience against adversity and at the end of the first evening I am sure he, members of the cast and the backstage crew and the audience were delighted that it finally happened. Don't ttry and tell anyone at the Thameside tonight that Thurrock doesn't need a theatre!

As with all community theatre, the homespun charm of a production is all part of the escapade and you will not find a more charming bunch than the singers, dancers, actors, musicians and backstagers from TOPS who put on a delightful show.

As ever with such productions, it almost always seems churlish to pick out individuals from the company – and it must firstly be said that the star parts of the show were the ensemble pieces, with the crackingly familiar tunes of 'Food Glorious Food', 'Consider Yourself', 'Be Back Soon', Oom-pah-pah' and 'Who Will Buy?' delighting the audience who clapped and sang along.

The sheer sense of camaraderie and participation in such numbers shames those people who think Thurrock shouldn't have its own showcase theatre to all such pieces to come together.

The council, in its determination to pick the cultural pockets of Thurrock – to borrow a line from the indomitable Fagin – thinks church halls and school halls will suffice. No they won't. Theatre is theatre and it needs to be in a theatrical setting not just for the entertainment of the audience, but for the enjoyment and experience of all those who take part in staging productions. The kids on stage tonight and their alternating replacements in nights to come will remember the experience for ever.

Anyway, enough of the soapboxing, there are plenty of others who will continue to campaign for the Thameside to be saved – now armed by two great community-based shows in quick succession.

Back to the stage and a review of proceedings. With a large cast and a rotating group of young people through the remaining five shows each and every member of the cast on stage will find a place in someone's heart, be it young Eli Cook who took on the role of Oliver on opening night or Elvienne Squire – tonight's Artful Dodger. Remember that name – she already has a strong list of credits on her CV and plenty more will follow.

Two of the centerpieces of the show are the inimitable veteran Vic Gray who is a simply splendid Fagin (yet again) and the rather wonderful Mary Bloss as Nancy, who can give many of the star names who have played that part a run for their money.

But for my part I picked out two great cameo performances from members of the ensemble who flit in and out of the action all night. Dawn Peat is a memorable Widow Corney and Josh Handley's Mr Sowerberry was, for me at least, the highlight of the evening. Chris Foale is also a very menacing Bill Sykes.

But I could go on and on picking out members of the casts and all of them would, I am sure, act modestly and retreat back into the body of the group – because that, ultimately is what TOPS is all about.

Bringing joy and entertainment to our community. Long may they prosper – and long may Thurrock have a theatre to call its own!

'Oliver' will run until Saturday' though both matinee and evening performances on that final day are almost sold out – as I write, just three tickets remain for Saturday evening (and the council underplays demand!). You can still book tickets for the other three performance via this link.