JOIN Oliver, Dodger and the gang this weekend at the Wyvern Theatre’s Summer Youth Project performance of one of the best loved musicals.

With a huge cast of talented youngsters, directed and produced by professionals, Oliver! is an all-singing, all-dancing Victorian extravaganza.

Be sure to book soon as tickets are selling fast, with performances today at 4pm and 8pm, and Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

The musical, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, is based upon the classic novel by Charles Dickens, taking us on a journey from a Victorian workhouse into London’s criminal underworld, in a search for love, family and home.

It is the story of orphan Oliver, who has the courage to ask for more. He is sold into the service of an undertaker, bullied and mistreated, and finally runs away to the streets of London - where he finds shelter among a gang of plucky pickpockets, led by the charismatic Fagin.

Oliver’s luck seems to make a turn for the better when he is taken into the care of the kindly Mr Brownlow - but the violent villain Bill Sykes wants to kidnap Oliver to make sure he does not give them away.

The play has a host of well loved songs, including Who Will Buy, It’s a Fine Life, As Long As He Needs Me and Where is Love, as well as popular characters such as good-hearted Nancy, the charming Artful Dodger and the comic Mr Bumble.

Directed and choreographed by Maggie Rawlinson, the Summer Youth Project is an annual event challenging young performers to rehearse and perform a play in an intense two-week time frame.

Around 150 young people are taking part this year, following on from the success of last year’s SYP show, Summer Holiday.

Ten-year-old SYP newcomer Cory White, who lives near Chippenham, has the title role, while 15-year-old Michael Kerr, plays the Artful Dodger, Toby Kearney, 17, from Marlborough, is Mr Bumble, and 17-year-old Rhea Thorpe, from Swindon, plays Nancy. Archie Fisher, 16, who lives near Marlborough, has the role of Fagin, and Marcellus Hill, 15, is playing the villainous Bill Sykes.

The Summer Youth Project is an established tradition and since 1994 has run every year - with the exception of 2007 when the theatre was closed.

Tickets are £14-£15.50. To book, call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk.