Never perform with children or animals – a famous theatrical saying that director Russell Langdon is confidently ignoring as he has 60 children in his cast of Oliver!

Thankfully, musical theatre company SALOS are using artistic licence when it comes to Bill Sykes’ dog, so they don’t have to cope with animals as well.

They are performing the popular musical based on the Charles Dickens tale of Oliver Twist, at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre until Saturday, October 25 at 7.30pm.

Russell enjoys encouraging young talent and was delighted when more than 100 aspiring actors, singers and dancers auditioned to be in the show.

He said: "We had over 100 children audition, and we were really pleased to be able to invite 60 of them to perform with us.

“There are so many talented young people in our town. Rehearsals have never been so busy, but the children have been wonderful.”

Russell knows exactly what it is like to be a young star, having started with SALOS at the age of seven in Hello Dolly.

Today the director is a drama teacher at secondary schools in Swindon so he has no fears about the logistics of organising 60 young people on stage.

Taking the title role is Ben Canning who will celebrate his 10th birthday during the run of Oliver. Ben will be performing every other night as he shares the role with Kyle Iles. He won’t be treading the boards on his big day but as mum, dad and sister are all in the show, he will be enjoying the musical from the comfort of the auditorium.

“I am very excited about being Oliver and was amazed to get the part as this is my first SALOS show,” he said.

His father, James Canning, is a SALOS stalwart and will be taking the part of Fagin in this production. He says he is really proud of Ben for getting the part, as he had to wait until he was in his 20s to get a leading role.

“I’ll be more nervous for Ben than I will be performing Fagin,” he said. “I never imagined I see one of my children get a lead part so young.”

His daughter, Amy, 12, is singing in the children’s chorus. Amy is no stranger to the Wyvern stage, having appeared in Annie and Beauty And The Beast.

Mum Alison Canning, who is playing the part of Widow Corney, said she was thrilled to have all the family appearing together.

“I’m pretty happy to be saving so much money on babysitters too!” she said.

Other cast members include new kid on the block Jill McCrae who takes the part of Nancy.

Oliver was performed by SALOS in 2002 and Mike Chivers, 82, will be reprising his role as Mr Brownlow and Stuart Dark will again stomp the stage as Mr Bumble.

Tickets are £17 to £22 from 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.