Oliver

Oliver

Oliver The Musical (show has now ended)

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.

Venue Information and Directions

Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Catherine Street
WC2B 5JF

Seating Plan

Directions

Directions
Closest tube station is Covent Garden or Holborn. Despite the name, the entrance is actually on Catherine Street.