Gervase Phinn: Dog star steals the show

I have seen, produced and appeared in this popular musical a good few times and, for me, it never loses its magic. Oliver Twist is one of Dickens's most heart-warming and ultimately optimistic tales – the gentle-natured orphan born into a cold, cruel world, who finally finds happiness with the good-hearted Mr Brownlow.

Maltby Musical Theatre Group, of which I am the patron, has also just performed Oliver! and this colourful, lively and entertaining show from these talented amateur actors and singers was a sell-out. The West End show was a bit too polished and professional for my liking; I much prefer the amateur productions of this classic musical. They may not have the glitz and glamour of the professional theatre, but, for me, are much more enjoyable.

I recall a school production which brought the house down. Bill Sikes, the scoundrel of the piece, was played by the heavily-bearded Head of the PE and Games Department. He took on the role with gusto and was, true to form, loud, angry and vicious.

When he banged his cudgel on the table the whole stage set shook. When he roared, the children of the workhouse looked visibly scared. The villain appeared on stage with Bullseye, his dog, a striking looking creature with pinky-white jowls and grey button eyes. The fat, bow-legged bull terrier, Daisy by name, was owned by the school caretaker who boasted that, "Anyone could break into the school, but just let them try and get out!"

Daisy played her part superbly, trotting obediently behind her master, growling in the appropriate places and flopping on the floor when commanded. However, her behaviour changed dramatically in the penultimate scene of the musical when Bill Sikes discovers Nancy, played by the Head of Home Economics, on London Bridge delivering Oliver to Mr Brownlow. That evening, family and friends of the Head of the PE and Games Department were in the audience, so he was particularity thunderous and threatening.

Dropping the rope which held the dog, he gripped Nancy by the arm and raised his cudgel portentously. Daisy clearly took a dim view of this. She cocked her head, showed a set of teeth like tank traps and lunged forward, growling and snapping. The Head of the PE and Games Department shot off the stage pursued by the dog, leaving Nancy who, with great presence of mind, gave a reprise of As Long as he Needs Me.

Daisy reappeared and, flopping down before Nancy, nuzzled her ankles. When the caretaker finally coaxed his dog off the stage, Bill Sikes, rather shamefacedly, appeared and dispatched Nancy behind a stage set. At the curtain call the dog received the loudest applause.

In the coming weeks, Gervase Phinn will be doing book signings throughout Yorkshire for his new memoir Road to the Dales: The Story of a Yorkshire Lad. Michael Joseph, 18.99.