Do you consider yourself to have a hit show on your hands?

TALENTED young performers at:- St Mary's College, in Crosby, recently hit the right note with a very successful production of a legendary Dickensian musical.

Families and friends turned out in force for the 2 performances of Lionel Bart's classic Oliver, in the School Hall.

This was the 1st time in 16 years that St. Mary's had tackled the 1960's show which was subsequently made into an Oscar winning movie starring Oliver Reed, Ron Moody and Harry Secombe.

It was also the School's 1st full scale musical theatre production since 2019's equally successful take on gangster comedy Bugsy Malone.

This time round Oliver featured a cast of 22 actors, including:- some innovative casting with a female Fagin in the form of:- 14 year old Martha Last, from Formby, and Hollie Maddocks, from Crosby, 14 playing the part of the Artful Dodger.

Other lead roles were taken by:- 13 year old Benjamin Baker, from Aughton (Oliver), 16 year old Michael Neophytou, from Crosby (Bill Sikes) and 15 year old Daisy Soo, from Crosby (Nancy).

There were also excellent performances by 3 members of staff (Colin Johnston, Peter Ravenscroft and Wendy Stroud), plus a fantastic 11 strong live band consisting of students and staff conducted by the School's Director of Music, Andrew Byers.

Together they did more than justice to Oliver's many showstopping tunes including:- Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, It's A Fine Life and Pick A Pocket Or Two.

Oliver was directed by Mr Peter Ravenscroft with the support of Assistant Director Miss Wendy Stroud. The show was produced by Mrs Anna Smith.

Mr Ravenscroft commented:- "When you take everyone into account on stage and back stage it took a team of more than 50 people to make this production a reality. They all did incredibly well to make this challenging show the success it was, and I would like to thank everyone involved for all their hard work and commitment over many weeks of rehearsals."

St. Mary's Principal, Mike Kennedy, added:- "Oliver is a fabulous show, full of memorable songs and colourful characters, and our students did a brilliant job in bringing 19th Century London to life in such a vivid way. The energy and enjoyment of the performers was clear for everyone to see, and it was no surprise that the show received such a warm reception from the audience."

Merseyside arrest signals FACT's latest crackdown on illegal streaming

3 arrests have been made in Merseyside as part of a coordinated nationwide crackdown on illegal streaming operations, led by the:- Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) in partnership with UK Police Forces.

On 11 December 2025, Merseyside Police arrested a couple in the Huyton area on suspicion of supplying illegal IPTV services and seized personal electronic devices for further examination. The arrests follow similar enforcement action on:- 25 October 2025, when Merseyside Police arrested a man in Birkenhead on suspicion of selling pre-loaded streaming devices. Officers also seized several items, including:- a mobile phone and a quantity of cash. The suspects in both cases have been released under investigation while Police enquiries are ongoing.

The arrests form part of:- Operation Eider, FACT's latest campaign to disrupt illegal streaming networks and protect consumers from the risks associated with illicit online content. in November 2025, 14 further cases were identified nationwide across:- London, the South West, North West, North East, Scotland, Wales, Yorkshire and Humber, and the West Midlands.

Of these, 12 individuals received cease and desist (C&D) notices, while 2 were served with C&Ds via:- knock and talk (K&T) enforcement action, in collaboration with the:- Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit.

FACT chairman Kieron Sharp said:- "These arrests reflect the results of our intelligence-led investigations and the strength of our partnerships with UK law enforcement. By sharing intelligence and coordinating action across multiple Regions, we are effectively dismantling the supply networks that sit behind illegal streaming. It may appear harmless, but illegal streaming fuels organised crime and puts viewers at real risk, from scams and malware to data theft. The BeStreamWise campaign which FACT supports, reminds the public that what looks like a bargain can have serious consequences. The safest and only legal way to enjoy the shows and sports you love is through legitimate, licensed providers."

Detective Sergeant Adam Dagnall of Merseyside Police's Cybercrime Unit said:- "Illegal streaming may appear to be a cheap alternative, but it is often driven by organised criminals and exposes users to scams and data theft. Our partnership with FACT helps us quickly identify offenders and take firm action to disrupt these networks and protect the public from the fraud, malware and wider criminality behind them."

Alongside action against suppliers, FACT has intensified enforcement targeting end users of illegal streaming services. More than a thousand individuals across the UK have been contacted and warned to immediately stop using illegal IPTV services, or risk criminal prosecution. This action followed joint investigations with Police that uncovered details of customers who had purchased access to so called:- "Loaded" Firesticks, Android, or Kodi devices.

FACT continues to work with law enforcement agencies across the UK to identify, disrupt and deter those involved in illegal streaming through targeted operations, cease and desist campaigns, and criminal prosecutions.

Learn more about the risks of illegal streaming at;- BeStreamWise.Com.

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Do you consider yourself to have a hit show on your hands?

Merseyside arrest signals FACT's latest crackdown on illegal streaming