But the ingredients gel together affectively in Oliver!, which premiered at the Riverside Theatres last Friday night.

The Packemin Productions version of the well-known musical has a cast of more than 100, many of them children, and includes some impressive musical talent.

The London street scenes ring true, not only because the sets are realistic but because the stage is filled with people milling around, selling wares and getting on with their everyday lives in convincing costumes.

The musical, which tells the at times tragic tale of Oliver, a boy who is orphaned at birth and grows up in a 19th century workhouse, is based on a book by Charles Dickens.

It has some dark moments, most notably when Oliver is sold into servitude to an undertaker and is trapped in a coffin as a punishment for speaking out of turn.

But the production never becomes depressing or disheartening as it manages to create the appropriate mix of sadness and hope.

The upbeat musical numbers, particularly Consider yourself, You've got to pick a pocket or two and Oom pa pa lighten the mood at the most opportune times and Fagin, played by Wayne Scott Kurmond, often adds much-needed comic relief.

Kurmond, who has quite a distinguished career in musical theatre, adds a very professional touch to the production, dominating every scene he is in and giving Fagin, a character who is difficult to like, a lot of charisma and depth.

The young actor who plays Oliver, Damian Hempstead, does an excellent job of maintaining an air of complete misery throughout his performance.

In what must be a demanding role for a nine-year-old, Damian is on stage for most of the show and also shows an impressive vocal range singing the touching song Where is love?.

The audience feels for little Oliver from the time he asks whether he can have some more porridge right at the start of the show, thanks to Damian's endearing stage presence.

Oliver! will be on at the Riverside Theatres until February 18. Details and tickets: www.riversideparramatta.com.au.