In St Ives Music and Drama Society (SIMADS) autumn production of Oliver! the production team have done just that and made it a real family affair.

Husband and wife team, Simon and Amanda Maylor, play Mr Bumble and Widow Corney and their son Peter is one of the Olivers. They also have a daughter, Alice, taking part in the show.
Nancy is played by Sarah Mead with daughter Grace as the other Oliver and another daughter, Lily, as part of the workhouse.
The interesting cast list doesn't stop there.

The society have two sisters in the children's chorus and a couple of husband and wife duos in the adult chorus. So relatively speaking, they've got it well covered!
The society's June Forway said: "This is most amazing when you consider the number of children and adults who auditioned to take part in this production."

Choreographer Becky Keane, who played Nancy in a production 10 years ago, is also expecting her own production.
June added: "A week after the show she is due to give birth to her fourth child. A budding thespian perhaps who can certainly be considered – one of the family."

>> Oliver! is running at the Burgess Hall, St Ives from Wednesday-Sunday, October 15-19 at 7.30pm with matinees on the Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets, £10 and £8, are available from Metamorphosis, St Ives, or call 01480 300409 or visit www.simads.co.uk