Showbiz Queenstown's 2010 production of the musical Oliver! is to be jointly sponsored by the Remarkables Park Town Centre and Remarkables Park Limited.

Spokespeople Korrena Mielke of Remarkables Park Town Centre and Alastair Porter, Director, Remarkables Park Limited agree that previous Showbiz productions, most recently last year's Les Miserables, have been outstanding successes that have commanded the respect and pride of the local community.

"Showbiz Queenstown exemplified Queenstown's ability to punch well above its weight and provided many members of the community, including young people, an opportunity to participate in a theatrical production," said Mr Porter.

Ms Mielke said there were strong synergies between Showbiz Queenstown and Remarkables Park Town Centre.

"Showbiz is a very local organisation and Remarkables Park Town Centre is Queenstown's community shopping centre. Supporting this production provides a way for us to give back to that community. In addition to the direct sponsorship, the Remarkables Park Town Centre would also be providing opportunities for customers to the Town Centre to win tickets to attend the show, including the Opening Night."

Oliver! is Charles Dickens' story of the boy who dared to ask: "Please, Sir, I want some more!" Lionel Bart's hugely popular musical adaptation includes the well known songs "Food, Glorious Food", "Consider Yourself", "Pick a Pocket or Two" "I'd Do Anything", "Oom- Pah- Pah", "As Long as He Needs Me" and many more.

The whole cast from Oliver! will come from the Queenstown-Lakes community. It will be Directed and Choreographed by Stephen Robertson who has previously directed Grease for Showbiz Queenstown. Stephen's other credits include very successful productions of Chess, 42nd Street, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Chicago and Cats.

Olivia Porter, Remarkables Park Ltd's Public Project Co-ordinator said the sponsors were particularly pleased to be able to support an event that contributed to Queenstown's ongoing cultural development.

Alex Derbie, newly elected President of Showbiz Queenstown, is delighted that the major sponsor of Oliver! is such an integral part of the Queenstown community. He said that the cost of producing a major show is significantly higher than revenue from ticket sales and that the Remarkables Park Town Centre partnership provides mutual benefits and additional promotional opportunities to Showbiz Queenstown.

Alex Derbie succeeds Marty Newell as Showbiz President and was Vice President for Marty Newell's three year term.

Auditions for Oliver! are being held this weekend, 12th - 14th February and the show will be staged from the 13th - 22nd May 2010 at the Queenstown Memorial Hall.