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Went last night, was absolutely fantastic gryff rees jones was wonderful as fagin thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. added bonus was meeting and chatting to jill gascoine who was in the audience. she was lovely.
cer
It is a Charles Dickens classic – a story that has stood the test of time and warmed the hearts of readers for over 150 years. It is also a story that has been retold time and time again, on televisions, on cinema screens and on stages around the world, meaning that it is hard to come by a person who is not aware of the story of Oliver Twist.
That’s right, “Oliver!” is back on the stage, this time in a musical revival at the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane, which has featured a whole host of stars in its iconic roles and brought vast amounts of media attention to the West End. It is a popular story that will undoubtedly continue to draw in the punters, fascinated by the brand new takes on classic themes.
When “Oliver The Musical” opened in December 2008, the country watched as Mr Bean and Lord Blackadder himself Rowan Atkinson stepped into the role of Fagin. Since then further names from the comedy world have landed in the role after Atkinson stepped down in early 2009. First up was Omid Djalili, the comic entertainer who has appeared in many British television shows as well as working as a stand up comedian all over the country, with credits that include “Black Books”, “The Omid Djalili Show” and movies likes “The Mummy” and “Gladiator”. With Russ Abbot appearing in the role briefly over the Christmas period of 2008, it makes the latest incarnation of Fagin the fourth British comedian to take on the role and he is Griff Rhys Jones. Jones’s credits include “Smith and Jones” (alongside Mel Smith), “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and “Three Men In A Boat”.
But what is the story of “Oliver The Musical”? There’s one iconic scene in Charles Dickens’ classic that stays in everyone’s minds – the moment in which the young Oliver Twist approaches authority in the dinner hall of a workhouse, proclaiming “Please sir, I want some more”.
What follows is a story of trouble finding Oliver wherever he goes in 19th century London. For daring to challenge authority he is forced to leave the workhouse and is subsequently sold out as an undertaker’s apprentice, but before long he is forced on the run once more and he eventually lands in the company of the famous Artful Dodger and the criminal underworld of London that he inhabits. His meeting with the Artful Dodger leads him straight to Fagin, a criminal who teaches the boys under his watch how to pickpocket.
Not one to stay out of trouble, Oliver lands himself in hot water with his new lessons in thieving, forcing someone with a good nature to take him under his wing. But, as ever, trouble is not far around the corner and even with the care of a Mr Brownlow, Oliver’s story is far from over.
The current West End musical production of “Oliver!” is a revival from theatre tycoon Cameron Mackintosh, who draws inspiration from previous incarnations of the hit musical. Based on the Charles Dickens classic, “Oliver!” was given a makeover by Lionel Bart in the 1960s, before a West End revival in the 1990s under Sam Mendes continued to cement it in the public’s heart. Also involved, is alternative ballet maestro Matthew Bourne, as well as actors chosen from the hit BBC Talent show “I’ll Do Anything”, a show that found is star Jodie Prenger for the role of Nancy.
“Oliver!” continues at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane where it is currently taking bookings until 2011.
Reviews
Went last night, was absolutely fantastic gryff rees jones was wonderful as fagin thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. added bonus was meeting and chatting to jill gascoine who was in the audience. she was lovely.
cer I thought is was the best thing I have every seen I would love to see it again. The children was outstanding and I love bullseye. Thank you for an enjoyable night.
danielle I really loved the muscial! There was this little boy who was absolutely great as was the Dodger played by Robert Madge. There were suchs adorable kids! Omid Djalili was really great in this act. I absolutely loved it. Really want to see it again
Mar My first experience of London Theatre and I loved it. Omid Djalili as Fagin was exceptional truely funny and inspirational. Jodie as Nancy was superb greta voice. The boy who played Dodger I have to agree was phenomenal. I had a great time awesome production!!
TPE I thought it was a fantastic show. It's the second west end show that I have seen also have seen The sound of Music and Oliver was much better. I thought everything was well done. The singing was wonderful.
Elsa Loved the show especially as we didnt know that Rowan had returned after his op until we arrived at the theatre...he was amazing Fagan. Mr Bean and Blackadder were all there in his inspired performance....not sure about Oliver couldnt understand clearly what he was saying because his strong accent kicked in a couple of times...A few too many adult bawdy almost pantomime momemts..largely involving large breasted women spilling out of their tops....On the whole though fantastic especially The Artful dodger and the evil Bill Sykes...the was also breathtaking...loved it
Al It was ok - we sat in the Balcony and there is nothing to say that there is a big bar in the middle that obstructs the view for about 10 rows and if anything happens at front of stage you cannot see. Was disappointed Nancy and Oliver didnt seem to have many speaking parts expected them to be main characters but it was Fagin and Artful Dodger that really stole the show. Its ok - but dont pay more than £25 for a ticket its not worth it!
tooty2009 Although Rowan Atkinson was off with his hernia Oliver was one of the best shows have have ever seen! Tim Laurent made a very good job as Fagin. Jodie was a brilliant as Nancy as was Gwion as Oliver. Burn was a very scary Bill Sykes after watching him in Torchwood! The scenery music dancing was all wounderful well done to every one on the production! 5 stars isnt enough to rate the show!!!!!!!!
James I have just got back from seeing Oliver and it was fantastic. it is one of the best i have seen Rowan Atkinson performance was so good so was Oliver i must say that the young boy who played the artful dodger was excellent all the played there parts well would recommended any one to go and see it
Trudy KINFUL the best show i have ever seen!!!!
rob smith I loved this show. Rowan Atkinson was superb as Fagin and gave the stand out performance although it was truely an ensemble piece with the wholegiving their all. Jodie was good overall - her voice got lost a bit in the oompahpah number. The show we saw starred Harry as Oliver - bad casting i'm afraid as he started out posh even though he was meant to have spent his life in a midlands workhouse! He did give it his all though. Apart from that highly recommended.
Andrew I wanted Jodie to win in id do anything and she proved that she deserved it because she was brilliant! dont listen to people saying she wasnt up to scatch!
alex My little brother happens to be in Oliver and i thought that all the young lads in the play were absolutely brillaint.I would have to agree with the previous reviews saying that the Oliver and Nancy werent up to scratch and i thought it let down the whole production a little but besides that i thoroughly enjoyed it and i thought that the Dodger was perfect for the part alongside the little boy in the gang!
Ellie we went to see oliver, singing was very good rowan atkinson was amazing didnt like mr bumble scene with the woman and the scene with the coffin lost its way also the woman hanging out of her dress top left a lot to be desired but the boys were all excellent and nancy was very good to rowan atkinson had us all in pleats he was the best person for the part and the artful dodger and the other little boy were amazing
brenda It was very good 100 out of 100
Joshua Kearns Thought it was a really good show. Watched I'd Do Anything and didn't really rate Jodie and found this in the show. She just stood out as not being up to scratch. The real stand-out performers were by far the artful dodger - not sure who played this part but would like to find out - and the little kid in fagan's gang. Rowan Atkinson also excellent as Fagan. Oliver was good. However this tells me that TV talent shows are not a great idea as the two weakest links were those founded in I'd Do Anything. Still good production and worth it for the kid performers who were outstanding.
Caroline
