Heledd takes final bow in Young 'Uns' Oliver! show

* Final bow: Heledd Edwards as Nancy in Oliver!

A talented young actor who has starred in many hit shows for Llangollen Operatic’s junior section is about to take her final bow. 

Since joining the Young ‘Uns in September 2017 Heledd Edwards has turned in a diverse range of polished performances. 

And her final appearance will come when she takes one of the lead roles in Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, which the group are staging at Llangollen Town Hall from February 22-24. 

As the upper age limit for the Young ‘Uns is 18 – the age which Heledd has now reached – it’s time for her to move on. 

But before she goes the producers of Oliver! are expecting another accomplished performance from her as Nancy, a 23-year-old graduate of Fagin's thieves academy and doxy of evil villain Bill Sikes. 

Heledd’s first appearance for the group came in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in February 2018. 

She played a number of roles in this show - one of the five Ishmaelites (a hairy crew), one of eight Egyptians, one of the members of Mrs Potiphar's court and of Pharoah's court and also one of the dancers – a great example of Young 'Uns’ multi-tasking in their shows. 

In February 2019 the show was Grease. Amongst other things, Heledd's key role was as Miss Lynch, an old maid English teacher, which she is remembered for playing with great conviction and humour. 

The year 2020 saw the Young 'Uns celebrate their 30th anniversary by staging The Wizard of Oz in which Heledd played Miss Almira Gulch, and also one of the Jitterbugs and one of the Ghosts. 

In 2022, Young 'Uns put on Little Shop of Horrors and this time Heledd was part of the chorus trio of Christal, Chiffon, and Ronette who sing like angels throughout the show. 

In February 2023 Young 'Uns performed The Addams Family and Heledd took a starring role as  Morticia in which she displayed her many talents as the rock and strength of the creepy Addams family. 

Producer of Oliver!, Pamela Williams, said: “We are sorry to see Heledd moving on and we will miss how she has brought all her wonderful skills to every role she has played for us. I’m sure it will be no different in this, her last performance with the Young 'Uns.”

The popular group's 33rd production since it was founded in 1990 takes place from Thursday-Saturday, February 22-24, at 7.30pm, with a 2pm matinee of the last day.

Oliver! is a stage musical, with book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

It follows the tale of young Oliver from his early days in a grim workhouse, his escape to London where he meets up with the gag of trainee thieves led by the old rogue Fagin and the trials he faces at the hands of the villainous robber Bill Sikes.   

Production team for the Young 'Uns version is Robin Crowley (artistic director), Julian Cattley (musical director) Pamela Williams (producer), Deirdre Smith (assistant producer) and Sarah Marshal (choreographer).

* Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety or Llangollen Tourist Information, Jades Hair and Beauty, Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods.