I was there last night, in The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane to witness only the second public performance of the new London production of Oliver!. The first two previews had to be cancelled owing to the logistics of rehearsing 150 children in the lavish production.
The play is produced by Cameron Mackintosh, directed by Rupert Goold, co-directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne and is based of the 1994 Palladium Production that Sam Mendes produced. It was a masterful production.
My children loved it. It helped hugely that they identified so closely with Gwion Wyn Jones, one of the boys who won the role of Oliver in the “I’ll Do Anything” TV show and with Jodie Prenger, who plays Nancy. We all agreed though that Robert Madge, the guy who played the Artful Dodger was brilliant.
Rowan Atkinson was a stroke of genius as Fagin, bringing a slightly Beanesque/Black Adderish slant to the role from the moment he opened his mouth and adding the much needed comic factor. His lair was awesome, as was the rest of the set.
It went down exceptionally well with the audience, with a number of people leaping to their feet and clapping wildly at the end (although I think that might have been Gwion’s mum and other relatives – I don’t blame them – he did very well).
Fingers crossed for all concerned that this show keeps the theatre goers and their children flocking to London for a long time to come.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:51 am
How exciting! We were avid ‘Nancy’ followers during the show although i wasn’t a fan of Jodie’s. Is she good? Do you think a four year old would enjoy it? We are dying to go but not sure what to do with our children.
BM x
December 16th, 2008 at 6:56 am
Not sure about a four year old – some in the audience found the first scene quite scary and at times, I’m not sure interest would be held….you’d probably enjoy it more with the older ones. Yes I thought Jodie was very good Lx
December 16th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I don’t know exactly where to start with the OMGs…
but wait, MR. BEAN is FAGIN??? I can’t get my head around this! How fantastic. (Although I so love Ron Moody as Fagin!)
Does Nancy still do the torch song for Bill after he hits her? I’ve thought that this was dated and more modern adaptations should adjust this a bit. (Sort of like how folks argue that the “Rape” song is not appropriate anymore in productions of “The Fantasticks”.)
It sounds wonderful! I hope it tours the States. Or that I can secure tickets to jump across the pond!
December 17th, 2008 at 1:48 am
Yup, Mr Bean is Fagin! A bizarre concept, but it works really well – definitely more Black Adder than Bean. No there is no torch song and yes, definitely practice jumping!! We could go together. Lx
December 31st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
No Torch song?! Surely she sings ‘As long as he needs me’
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:41 am
I saw it with my two daughters (8 and 10) and we all really enjoyed it. Rowan Atkinson was outstanding – you can see the clear difference between exceptional performers and normal stage performers. Jodie was sound – it’s a pity that the Van Outens of this world had ‘blown up’ the role of Nancy, claiming that she is a pivotal character. She’s not and that was just as well. A great show however. (I am still living in the hope that theatre-goers will learn that a public performance is not the same as watching a DVD in your front room – be quiet please!).
December 10th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
thanks for that man! awesome idea and thoroughly interesting read. i been trying to convince my boys that we should have a guys curry night-in instead of going out every week, and actually did it last week. awesome success, i tell you! i found a tasty keema and a few others from this curry recipe site, and even makde the naan meself too. who said guys cant cook!