SYNOPSIS
Review
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....
Al
Ticket Dates
Oliver The MusicalA musical revival of an old classic comes to the West End in December 2008. Oliver! - which first ran in London during 1960 - makes its reappearance with a brand new production by theatre-heavyweight Cameron Mackintosh at the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane. With the involvement of such names as Matthew Bourne for direction and choreography, and with Rowan Atkinson taking a lead role as Fagin, it promises to be a spectacular retelling of a familiar tale. Previews of the new musical begin on December 12, 2008. The show opens to the public on January 14, 2009.
The Story of Oliver!Oliver the musical is based upon the classic story of Oliver Twist, written by Charles Dickens. We find ourselves in 19th century London where young Oliver is 'asking for more' to eat in the dinner hall of a workhouse populated by half-starved orphan children. For daring to challenge authority he is shown the door at the workhouse, being sold out as an apprentice to an undertaker. But Oliver gets into trouble and goes on the run, at which point he makes his fateful meeting with the Artful Dodger and London's criminal underworld.
The Artful Dodger entices innocent Oliver to 'consider himself one of the family' at Fagin's lair. Fagin is a hardened criminal and teaches his boys to become pickpockets. Oliver discovers the shocking truth when he is taken out to learn the trade, and is apprehended in a pickpocket incident when the wealthy Mr Brownlow is robbed by two of the boys that Oliver is with.
After the incident Mr Brownlow takes Oliver under his wing. But his associations with Fagin, the Workhouse and with Mr Brownlow, who turns out to be Oliver's grandfather, see him used as a pawn by those around him. He is kidnapped, held to ransom and, in a final act, held hostage by the evil Bill Sykes, before finally being reunited with his grandfather.
The 2008 West End ProductionThe 2008 West End production of Oliver sees Cameron Mackintosh take the reins of this legendary story and breath new life into it on stage. The show will draw on the original 1960s storyline by Lionel Bart, as well as the 1994 West End revival directed by Sam Mendes. Cameron Mackintosh's wealth of experience in theatre is sure to pay dividends, and audiences can expect a vibrant and dazzling musical production.
The involvement of Matthew Bourne will add a further dimension to the musical. Mathew Bourne is well-known to theatregoers for his unique and sometimes controversial style of choreography - notably his adaptation of Swan lake in 1995, and more recently, the Nutcracker.
In the 2008 West End production of Oliver the role of Oliver will be shared by three child actors. The actors will be chosen through a BBC talent show called "I'll Do Anything" and will follow a similar format to "Any Dream Will Do" and "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" An actress to take the role of Nancy will also be selected through the talent show.
Reviews
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
