Oliver!

Oliver!

Louise Gold features as Mrs Sowerberry and has also played Mrs Bedwin, along with other Ensemble roles, at Theatre Royal Drury Lane; previews from 13 December 2008 (the show opened properly on 14 January 2009)

The show was originally supposed to have previews from the 12 December 2008. However, due to problems installing the set, the first two previews (of the 12 December, and the matinee of 13 December were cancelled, thus the first preview which actually took place was on the evening of the 13 December 2008).

Cast

Previews from 13 December 2008 to March 2009

Oliver – Laurence Jeffcoate, Gwion Wyn-Jones, or, Harry Scott

Mr Bumble – Julius D’Silva

Widow Corney – Wendy Ferguson

Matron – Myra Sands

Mr Sowerberry – Julian Bleach

Mrs Sowerberry – Louise Gold

Charlotte – Mary Cormack

Noah Claypole – David Roberts

Artful Dodger – Eric Dibb-Fuller, Ross McCormack, or, Robert Madge

Eccentric Dancer/Clown – Philip Catchpole

Gang – Fathings, Shillings, or Tanners

Fagin – Rowan Atkinson

Bill Sikes – Burn Gorman

Nancy – Jodie Prenger

At certain performances the role of Nancy will by played by – Tamsin Carroll

Bet – Charlotte Spencer

Mr Brownlow – Julian Glover

Punch & Judy Man – Tim Laurenti

The Landlord – Ian Jervis

Boxers – Chris Bennett, and, Jay Bryce

Percy Snodgrass – Tom Edden

Little Sally – Lynne Wilmot

Mrs Bedwin – Louise Gold

Dr Grimwig – Julian Bleach

Rose Seller – Jenny Fitzpatrick

Milkmaid – Lyndsey Gardiner

Strawberry Seller – Sarah Lark

Knife Grinder – Hadrian Delacey

Posh Lady – Clare Rickard

House Maid – Cara Elston

Old Sally – Susan Fay

Eccentric Dancer/Hussar – Oliver Roll

Hussar’s Girl – Hollie Taylor

Night Watchman – Robert Kershaw

Bullseye played by Teddy, and, Bert

Ensemble – Chris Bennett, Jay Bryce, Philip Catchpole, Hadrian Delacey, Tom Edden, Cara Elston, Susan Fay, Jenny Fitzpatrick, Lyndsey Gardiner, Ian Jervis, Robert Kershaw, Sarah Lark, Tim Laurenti, Clare Rickard, Oliver Roll, Myra Sands, Hollie Taylor, and, Lynne Wilmot

Fagins’s Gang

Farthings Team – Lewis Andrews, Sam Edwards Bailey, James Beesley, Gregory Bennett, James Burgess, Harry Child, Archie Duffy, Zachary Harris, Jake Howlett, and, Michael Redfearn

Shillings Team – Daniel Barber, Arthur Denny Byrne, Daniel Fitzsimons, Kuan Frye, Ben Houghton, Daniel Huttlestone, James Millsom, Jack Morlen, Tom Richardson, and, Mitchell Zhangazha

Tanners Team – William Edden, Daniel Ferrari-Lane, Jake Goldman, Jack Hamshere, Dominic Hansford, Callum Henderson, Idriss Kargbo, Jordan Li-Smith, Jermaine Nelson, and, Ben Wilson

Children’s Ensemble

Farthings Team – Lewis Andrews, Sam Edwards Bailey, James Beesley, Gregory Bennett, Jordan Bosher, Daniel Bridle, James Burgess, Alex Carter, Harry Child, Archie Duffy, Jonny Clowes, Sana Fnaiech, Annabelle Green, Sam Harris, Zachary Harris, Zakarius Harry, Jake Howlett, Mohammed Mansaray, Liam Maslov-Bokser, Zachary Middleton, Amy Miller, Darcy Mills, Tank Nugent, Leah Ocran, Matthew Paris, Harry Polden, Michael Redfearn, Katyana Sadler, Barbara Smith, Alfie Jack Stewart, and, Samuel Veck

Shillings Team – Joshua Alderson, Daniel Barber, Martin Bobb-Semple, Lillie Bone, Arthur Denny Byrne, Sam Cotton, Daniel Fitzsimons, Kuan Frye, Alice Green, Luke Higgins, Ben Houghton, Daniel Huttlestone, George Littell, Abby Mcgovern, Chester McKee, Joseph McNamara, James Millsom, Jack Morlen, Lauren Mote, Helena Parday-Yaralli, Ella Purnell, Sam Rice, Tom Richardson, Joseph Sissens, Ethan Smith, Victoria Smith, Nathan Smoker, Joshua Swinney, Sario Watanabe-Soloman, Latiya Williams, Chase Willoughby, and, Mitchell Zhangazha

Tanners Team – Edward Birchinall, Gareth Borrow, Lily Brooks, Anne Cockshott, Sam Constanti, Edward Darnell-Hayes, Sophia Decaro, Omar Dixon, William Edden, Daniel Ferrari-Lane, Jake Goldman, Jake Hamshere, Dominic Hansford, Callum Henderson, Alexander Hockaday, Thomas Holmes, Zac Hurst, Louis Jackman, Idriss Kargbo, Natalie Kassanga, Jordan Li-Smith, Hannah Lowther, Joseph McManus, Lauren Mead, Jermaine Nelson, Georgia Stewart, Archie Sullivan, Joseph Thompson-Oubari, Shannon Wake, Matthew Walker, Jake Watkins, and, Ben Wilson

Even More Workhouse Kids

Sarah Bowler, Eleanor Brown, James Corbitt, Eleanor Duncombe, Oliver Gregory, Matthew Hawes, Christopher Jenkins, Nathan Jones, Sam MacGregor, Mia Meads, Aidan Milston, Joseph Moore, Jack Nicholls, Ethan Piercey, Bethany Swaffield, and, Jaydon Vijn.

Phoebe Andersen-Cox, Megan Asplin, Abigail Carro, Aidan Cowan, Celeste Denyer, Callum Hall, Elliot House, Marco Newlands, Eve Oliphant, Stanley Pattinson, Milo Quinton, Matthew Shilling, Jake Simmance, Bailey West, and, Oliver Whelan.

Understudies

Fagin – Tim Laurenti, Tom Edden

Nancy – Sarah Lark, Jenny Fitzpatrick

Bill Sikes – Jay Bryce, Chris Bennett

Mr Bumble – Ian Jervis, Hadrian Delacey

Widow Corney – Lynne Wilmot, Myra Sands

Mr Sowerberry/Dr Grimwig – Tom Edden, Tim Laurenti

Mrs Sowerberry – Susan Fay, Cara Elston

Mr Brownlow – Hadrian Delacey, Ian Jervis

Mrs Bedwin – Myra Sands, Susan Fay

Charlotte – Lynne Wilmot, Sarah Lark

Noah Claypole – Oliver Roll, Robert Kershaw

Swings – Matthew Clark, Alison Dormer, Rebecca Louis, and, Spencer Stafford

From March 2009 to Saturday 18 July 2009

Oliver – Gwion Wyn-Jones, or, Harry Scott, or James Donaghey, or Francesco Piacentini-Smith

Mr Bumble – Julius D’Silva

Widow Corney – Wendy Ferguson

Matron – Myra Sands

Mr Sowerberry – Julian Bleach

Mrs Sowerberry – Louise Gold

Charlotte – Mary Cormack

Noah Claypole – David Roberts

Artful Dodger – Eric Dibb-Fuller, Ross McCormack, or, Robert Madge

Eccentric Dancer/Clown – Philip Catchpole

Gang – Fathings, Shillings, or Tanners

Fagin – Rowan Atkinson

Bill Sikes – Burn Gorman

Nancy – Jodie Prenger

At certain performances the role of Nancy will by played by – Tamsin Carroll

Bet – Charlotte Spencer

Mr Brownlow – Julian Glover

Punch & Judy Man – Tim Laurenti

The Landlord – Ian Jervis

Boxers – Chris Bennett, and, Jay Bryce

Percy Snodgrass – Tom Edden

Little Sally – Lynne Wilmot

Mrs Bedwin – Louise Gold

Dr Grimwig – Julian Bleach

Rose Seller – Jenny Fitzpatrick

Milkmaid – Lyndsey Gardiner

Strawberry Seller – Sarah Lark

Knife Grinder – Hadrian Delacey

Posh Lady – Clare Rickard

House Maid – Cara Elston

Old Sally – Susan Fay

Eccentric Dancer/Hussar – Oliver Roll

Hussar’s Girl – Hollie Taylor

Night Watchman – Robert Kershaw

Bullseye played by Teddy, and, Bert

Fagins’s Gang

Children’s Ensemble

Even More Workhouse Kids

Understudies

Fagin – Tim Laurenti, Tom Edden

Nancy – Sarah Lark, Jenny Fitzpatrick

Bill Sikes – Jay Bryce, Chris Bennett

Mr Bumble – Ian Jervis, Hadrian Delacey

Widow Corney – Lynne Wilmot, Myra Sands

Mr Sowerberry/Dr Grimwig – Tom Edden, Tim Laurenti

Mrs Sowerberry – Susan Fay, Cara Elston

Mr Brownlow – Hadrian Delacey, Ian Jervis

Mrs Bedwin – Myra Sands, Susan Fay

Charlotte – Lynne Wilmot, Sarah Lark

Noah Claypole – Oliver Roll, Robert Kershaw

Swings – Matthew Clark, Alison Dormer, Rebecca Louis, and, Spencer Stafford

From Monday 20 July 2009 to September 2009

Oliver – Gwion Wyn-Jones, or, Harry Scott, or James Donaghey, or Francesco Piacentini-Smith

Mr Bumble – Julius D’Silva

Widow Corney – Wendy Ferguson

Matron – Myra Sands

Mr Sowerberry – Julian Bleach

Mrs Sowerberry – Louise Gold

Charlotte – Mary Cormack

Noah Claypole – David Roberts

Artful Dodger – Eric Dibb-Fuller, Ross McCormack, or, Robert Madge

Eccentric Dancer/Clown – Philip Catchpole

Gang – Fathings, Shillings, or Tanners

Fagin – Omid Djalili

Bill Sikes – Burn Gorman

Nancy – Jodie Prenger

At certain performances the role of Nancy will by played by – Tamsin Carroll

Bet – Charlotte Spencer

Mr Brownlow – Julian Glover

Punch & Judy Man – Tim Laurenti

The Landlord – Ian Jervis

Boxers – Chris Bennett, and, Jay Bryce

Percy Snodgrass – Tom Edden

Little Sally – Lynne Wilmot

Mrs Bedwin – Louise Gold

Dr Grimwig – Julian Bleach

Rose Seller – Jenny Fitzpatrick

Milkmaid – Lyndsey Gardiner

Strawberry Seller – Sarah Lark

Knife Grinder – Hadrian Delacey

Posh Lady – Clare Rickard

House Maid – Cara Elston

Old Sally – Susan Fay

Eccentric Dancer/Hussar – Oliver Roll

Hussar’s Girl – Hollie Taylor

Night Watchman – Robert Kershaw

Bullseye played by Teddy, and, Bert

Fagins’s Gang

Children’s Ensemble

Even More Workhouse Kids

Understudies

Fagin – Tim Laurenti, Tom Edden

Nancy – Sarah Lark, Jenny Fitzpatrick

Bill Sikes – Jay Bryce, Chris Bennett

Mr Bumble – Ian Jervis, Hadrian Delacey

Widow Corney – Lynne Wilmot, Myra Sands

Mr Sowerberry/Dr Grimwig – Tom Edden, Tim Laurenti

Mrs Sowerberry – Susan Fay, Cara Elston

Mr Brownlow – Hadrian Delacey, Ian Jervis

Mrs Bedwin – Myra Sands, Susan Fay

Charlotte – Lynne Wilmot, Sarah Lark

Noah Claypole – Oliver Roll, Robert Kershaw

Swings – Matthew Clark, Alison Dormer, Rebecca Louis, and, Spencer Stafford

From September 2009

Oliver – Gwion Wyn-Jones, or, Zac Hurst, or Francesco Piacentini-Smith

Mr Bumble – Julius D’Silva

Widow Corney – Wendy Ferguson

Matron – Myra Sands

Mr Sowerberry – Julian Bleach

Mrs Sowerberry – Louise Gold

Charlotte – Mary Cormack

Noah Claypole – David Roberts

Artful Dodger – Callum Henderson, Ross McCormack, or, Robert Madge

Eccentric Dancer/Clown – Philip Catchpole

Gang – Fathings, Shillings, or Tanners

Fagin – Omid Djalili

Bill Sikes – Steven Hartley

Nancy – Jodie Prenger

At certain performances the role of Nancy will by played by – Tamsin Carroll

Bet – Charlotte Spencer

Mr Brownlow – Julian Glover

Punch & Judy Man – Tim Laurenti

The Landlord – Ian Jervis

Boxers – Chris Bennett, and, Jay Bryce

Percy Snodgrass – Tom Edden

Little Sally – Lynne Wilmot

Mrs Bedwin – Louise Gold

Dr Grimwig – Julian Bleach

Rose Seller – Jenny Fitzpatrick

Milkmaid – Lyndsey Gardiner

Strawberry Seller – Sarah Lark

Knife Grinder – Hadrian Delacey

Posh Lady – Clare Rickard

House Maid – Cara Elston

Old Sally – Susan Fay

Eccentric Dancer/Hussar – Oliver Roll

Hussar’s Girl – Hollie Taylor

Night Watchman – Robert Kershaw

Bullseye played by Teddy, and, Bert

Fagins’s Gang

Children’s Ensemble

Even More Workhouse Kids

Understudies

Fagin – Tim Laurenti, Tom Edden

Nancy – Sarah Lark, Jenny Fitzpatrick

Bill Sikes – Jay Bryce, Chris Bennett

Mr Bumble – Ian Jervis, Hadrian Delacey

Widow Corney – Lynne Wilmot, Myra Sands

Mr Sowerberry/Dr Grimwig – Tom Edden, Tim Laurenti

Mrs Sowerberry – Susan Fay, Cara Elston

Mr Brownlow – Hadrian Delacey, Ian Jervis

Mrs Bedwin – Myra Sands, Susan Fay

Charlotte – Lynne Wilmot, Sarah Lark

Noah Claypole – Oliver Roll, Robert Kershaw

Swings – Matthew Clark, Alison Dormer, Rebecca Louis, and, Spencer Stafford

Production Team

Produced by – Cameron Mackintosh

Book, Music, and Lyrics – Lionel Bart, based on the novel by Charles Dickens

Original Production – The New Theatre (now known as The Noel Coward Theatre) 30 June 1960, with Sonia Fraser as Mrs Sowerberry, and, Madeleine Newbury as Mrs Bedwin

This production based on the production produced by Sam Mendes at The London Palladium in 1994

Musical Supervisor – Stephen Brooker

Orchestrations – William David Brohn

Musical Director – Graham Hurman

Scenic & Costume Design – Anthony Ward

Sound Design – Paul Groothuis

Lighting Design – Paule Constable

Co-Directed & Choreographed by – Matthew Bourne

Directed by – Rupert Goold

Orchestra

Under the direction of Graham Hurman

Keyboard/Assistant MD – Roger Davison

Violin/Mandolin – Oliver Lewis

Viola – Katie Wilkinson

Cello – Chris Fish

Double Bass – Steve McManus

Flute/Piccolo/Descant Recorder – Andy Findon

Oboe/Cor Anglais – Rebecca Wood

Clarinet/Eb Clarinet – Rachel Brown

Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Flute – Duncan Ashby

Bassoon/Tenor Recorder – Gavin McNaughton

Horn – Richard Clews, and, Matthew Gunner

Trumpet/Flugelhorn – Pat White, and, Andy Gathercole

Trombone – Gordon Campbell, and, Ed Tarrant

Bass Trombone/Tuba/Euphonium – Adrian Hallowell

Electric Guitar/Acoustic Guitar/Banjo – Andy Taylor-Vebel

Percussion – Julian Poole, and, James Gambold

Accordion/Concertina – Mark Bousie

Orchestral Management – Sylvia Addison for Music Solutions

Associate Director – Laurence Connor

Resident Choreographer – Philip Michael Thomas

Children’s Resident Director – Chris Hornby

Children’s Musical Director – Steve White

Company Manager – Alan Hatton

Deputy Company Manager – Katy Bryant

Stage Manager – Natalie Wood

Deputy Stage Manager – Sharon Hobden

Assistant Stage Managers – Beverley Else, Joan Geronimo, Graham Hookham, Rob Le Maistre, and, Kay Sinclair

Head Of Automation – Simon Wait

Automation No 2 – Gethyn Howells

Automation No3 – Casey Abbott

Head of Sound – Tom Marshall

Sound No 2 – Scott Carter

Sound Assistant – Niki Hulme

Wardrobe Mistress – Clare Pegg

Deputy Wardrobe Mistress – Helen Fowler

Wardrobe Assistants – Jessica Barthorpp, Charlotte Downing, Holly Mitchell, and, Saffron Peffer

Wig Mistress – Sue Strother

Deputy Wig Master – Jose Rodriguez Martinez

Wig Assistants – Charlene Drewery, Claire Gibson, Katie Marson, and, Katie Lovick Norley

Dance Captain – Rebecca Louis

Assistant Dance Captain – Matthew Clark

The original publicity material for this production, and indeed the show’s flyers, give Rosemary Leach as playing Mrs Bedwin, with Louise Gold only down to play Mrs Sowerberry. However, the programme for the show’s previews, do not mention Rosemary Leach at all, and only mention Louise Gold as playing both roles. The show’s website only gives Louise Gold as playing both roles. However, much of the other cast listings on the web do give Rosemary Leach as playing Mrs Bedwin. Certainly Louise Gold played the double role during the previews, the opening performances of the show, and whenever she has been on to date.

For a review/account of the show, please click here.

Most of the cast, including Jodie Prenger, Laurence Jeffcoate, Ross McCormack, and the Tanner’s Gang and Team, plus Daniel Huttlestone are featured on the new 2009 Oliver! cast album.

The roles of Nancy and Oliver for this production were cast via a reality television talent competition titled I’d Do Anything.

It is possible that percussionist John Rocliffe may be working as a Dep musician on the show, since his name appears on the credits for the album, but not in the programme for the show.

For a brief period, while Rowan Atkinson was indisposed (with a hernia) Russ Abbott came in to play Fagin.

Lionel Bart started his theatrical career at the International Youth Centre in the early 1950s, from there he joined Unity Theatre, and subsequently Theatre Workshop Stratford East.

Julian Glover also spend some of his early career at Unity Theatre, where he appeared in the revue Turn It Up, and the 1953 pantomime of Cinderella.

Coincidentally, Louise Gold’s parents were also Unity Theatre players, at around the time that Lionel Bart and Julian Glover were both at Unity.

On Monday 2 February 2009, London (and various other parts of the British Isles) were hit by unusually heavy snow. Much of the London transport system went down, and consequently many West End shows were cancelled. Some of these cancellations were actually mentioned by name in the national news. The BBC news named that as follows “Oliver!, Les Miserables, and, Phantom Of The Opera”. However, many other big shows which also cancelled, such as: Mamma Mia, Wicked, Jersey Boys, ENO’s La Boheme, and, We Will Rock You did not get mentioned on the news.

Representing the “Stars From Oliver!” Louise Gold, and, Jodie Prenger have taken part in Shopping With The Stars 2009, at which Julius D’Silva, and, Julian Bleach also put in appearances.

Louise Gold had previously appeared at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in The Pirates Of Penzance (Stage Production), and as a member of the company of that show in: The Pirates Of Penzance (Gala Performance), The Pirates Of Penzance (Gala Preview), The Pirates Of Penzance (Benefit Preview), and, The Royal Variety Performance (1982).

Songwriter Lionel Bart may have appeared in Will-Aid.

Louise Gold, and, Myra Sands have previously appeared together in the Discovering Lost Musicals productions of: By Jupiter, One Touch Of Venus (1992 Production), Du Barry Was A Lady (1993 Production), New Girl In Town, Red Hot & Blue, Something For The Boys, Panama Hattie, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and One Touch Of Venus (2000 Production). They also appeared together in Follies, as well as taking part in a concert of highlights from the Ratepayer’s Iolanthe & Metropolitan Mikado.

Julian Bleach is also a composer and musician as well as an actor, and he portrayed one of the pit orchestra musicians in the film Topsy Turvy.

David Roberts the actor in this production is probably not the same person as the film shopper of the same name on Muppet Treasure Island.

Daniel Barber, James Burgess, Cara Elston, Louise Gold, Rebecca Louis, Robert Madge, and, Clare Rickard have all previously appeared (mostly together) in Mary Poppins, where the pit orchestra included Roger Davison, Chris Fish, Duncan Ashby, Ed Tarrant, and, Adrian Hallowell which was also produced by Cameron Mackintosh, and on which Stephen Brooker, Matthew Bourne, Philip Michael Thomas, Alan Hatton, and, Graham Hookham also worked.

Cara Elston, Louise Gold, Clare Rickard, and, Roger Davison appeared in The Company Of Mary Poppins’s late night FUNdraising show, on which Philip Michael Thomas, and, Alan Hatton also helped.

James Burgess, Philip Catchpole, Louise Gold, and, Mitchell Zhangazha have previously appeared (mostly together) in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, whose pit orchestra included Steve McManus, and, Steve White, and on which Anthony Ward also worked.

Rowan Atkinson has previously starred in BlackAdder, in which Louise Gold once appeared in an episode. Coincidentally, BlackAdder, also starred Tony Robinson (who understudied the role of Dodger in the original production of Oliver!).

Rowan Atkinson took part in Comic Relif 1986, and his recording credits include Utterly Utterly Live Comic Relief.

Julian Glover may have appeared in Kids At Heart.

Louise Gold has previously puppeteered on a film adaptation of another Charles Dickens novel, namely The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Oliver! originally premiered at The New Theatre, a theatre which Louise Gold performed at many years later (when the theatre was known as The Albery) in an RSC production of The Cherry Orchard.

Stephen Brooker’s recording credits include The Great Musicals – Laughter & Tears, and, 100 Hits Musicals.

Paul Groothuis was also the sound designer for Comedy Tonight, on which Steve McManus also played.

Anthony Ward had previously worked on Assassins.

Steve McManus performed on Happily Ever After, and, may have performed on A Time To Start Living. His recording credits include Noel/Cole: Let’s Do It (Recording), and, Defiant Dames.

Myra Sands, and, Julian Glover may have previously taken part in Thing A Thon.

Plays International, Vol 24 No 3&4, for February/March 2009 includes a black and white photograph from the production of the cast performing Oom Pah Pah (Louise Gold is distinctly noticeable in the middle of the ensemble).

In July 2009, (presumably using her holiday time from Oliver!) Myra Sands continued her hobby of discovering lost musicals by appearing in a production of Kurt Weill’s often forgotten first American show, Johnny Johnson.

Critics Comments

“What’s joyous is that this Oliver! feels fresh and exuberant – spiritually full of beans.” .... “Still Goold, Mackintosh, and choreographer Matthew Bourne don’t leave their audience feeling short changed, with a whirling, rumbustious cast of 80 and expanded sets by Anthony Ward. Victorian London – in spite of folks being on their uppers – is quite spectacular.” Kate Bassett, INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY, 18 January 2009.

“(Jodie Prenger) is even better in the raucous Oom-Oom-Pah where the stage fills with Hogarthian detail as plump women retch into buckets and copulation thrives in the dark corners of the three cripples pub. This is about as good as the show, or Matthew Bourne’s choreography gets. For the rest there are too many Cockney knees-ups in which characters actually do stick their thumbs into their waistcoat sides”.... “The plot is largely a device for getting the numbers on.” Michael Billington, THE GUARDIAN, 15 January 2009.

“En route, Oliver's employment as a coffin follower at the Sowerberry funeral parlour is enlivened by Julian Beach's spindly undertaker and his blowzy wife, raucously sung by Louise Gold.”. Michael Coveney, THE INDEPENDENT, Thursday 15 January 2009.

“Oom-Pah-Pah is old music hall deftly modernised and Matthew Bourne’s choreography looks neatly animated.”... “A smash hit, obviously, but not an historic one.” Nicholas de Jongh, EVENING STANDARD, 15 January 2009.

“Some of the physical business could be tightened up – at least four bits of mayhem or violence needed more work to be convincing. But the downsides are balanced by the sunny joy of the London street scenes and utter exuberance of Bart’s masterpiece.” Simon Edge, DAILY EXPRESS, 15 January 2009.

“Although the early scenes are ruined by some grotesque over-acting, Julian Bleach is one of the few to set the right tone as the cadaverous undertaker Mr Sowerberry.” Jane Edwards, TIME OUT, 22 January 2009.

“Then things dip sharply. The funeral parlour scenes are marred by gosh-I’m-funny acting and the flimsy set is a sawn off afterthought. Oliver’s big solo number “Where Is Love?” comes out querulous and underpowered, possibly because somebody asked Harry Stott to do it lying on his side, propped on one arm. Not ideal if you have to fill a very large theatre and you’re only 12.”... “Eric Dibb-Fuller as Dodger has the perky vibrant charm of Tommy Steele and he launches himself at the role with irresistible energy. “Consider Yourself” had the whole place sighing with raptures”. Lloyd Evans, SPECTATOR, 24 January 2009.

“There is also much to enjoy with a stream of almost unforgettable songs. The big numbers such as Consider Yourself and Who Will Buy, are wonderful and almost force you to join in. With its rousing songs, big names and a strong story told with real affection and humour, Oliver! will be high on people’s lists of shows to see in 2009.” Philip Fisher, WESTERN MAIL, 21 January 2009.

“Rupert Goold’s revival of Oliver! is full of inventive touches. This is a restaging of Sam Mendes’s 1994 production, delivered with panache. It is a vivid, good-looking, tirelessly energetic production that relishes the snap and crackle of Lionel Bart’s best lyrics, embraces the ebullient music-hall feel of the piece and delivers great numbers such as “Consider Yourself” and “I’d Do Anything” with aplomb.”... “The choreography, from Matthew Bourne, is witty and vivaciously executed.” ... “If you go you will have a jolly time”. Sarah Hemming, FINANCIAL TIMES, 16 January 2009.

“Bart knows how to pace a show though, so D’Silva gets his chance to chill the mood in the mournful Boy for Sale, leading nicely on to the dark humour of That’s Your Funeral, the ghoulishly gleeful manifesto of Oliver’s new employers the undertakers, that couple from hell, the Sowerberries (excellent and genuinely frightening Julian Bleach and Louise Gold).” Judi Herman, ALL ABOUT JEWISH THEATRE, 15 February 2009.

“Louise Gold and Julian Bleach were hilariously sinister as Mr and Mrs Sowerberry.” Jack at UK Tickets, UK TICKETS, Thursday 8 January 2009.

“Lionel Bart’s songs are pretty much unsinkable, and Cameron Mackintosh’s giant cast - more than 80, not including the dog and it’s stunt double – set about them with gusto.” ... “And there’s an interlude of pure Tim Burton gothic, during Oliver’s brief career as an undertaker’s mute.” Sam Leith, SUNDAY TIMES, 18 January 2009.

“But soon it is back to the riot of movement in the crowd scenes, yet more Bart musical magic with Nancy’s Oom-Pah-Pah, some exuberant fake bossoms and then the violent, sticky, pathos-squeezing end. Here is a production to blast away all those recession cobwebs hanging over the West End. Oliver! will suit everyone from family audiences to Blackadder fans, every audience target group from connoisseurs of the nose-parp weepie to lovers of sheer theatrical spectacle.” Quentin Letts, DAILY MAIL, 15 January 2009.

“During the curtain call for this extravagantly revived Sam Mendes production, directed here by theatre’s golden boy, Rupert Goold, a giant picture of Lionel Bart descends from the flies. Everyone on-stage and off looks up and applauds.”...”Yet even though the workhouse here is gothic horrible and the adults gorgeously grotesque (especially Julian Bleach’s Nosferatu like funeral director), this is a lite version of Dickens, passing as a series of expertly staged set pieces.”....”Ross McCormack’s Dodger steals the show with a jaunty “Consider Yourself”.” John Nathan, JEWISH CHRONICLE, 23 January 2009.

“Bourne’s work with the ensemble in some of the big production numbers like Consider Yourself has huge energy.” Lisa Martland, THE STAGE, 22 January 2009.

“I can’t say that Rupert Goold, who is credited here as the director, does much to reinvent Mendes’s production as I recall it, but he certainly gets plenty of energy out of his cast”.... “The particular Oliver chosen to perform last night was Harry Stott, a gentle likeable boy who could maybe produce more fear when he’s asked to sleep with the coffins that belong to his boss – Julian Bleach, looking as if he’s slithered out of a crypt in Transylvania”.... “Bart’s songs may be unsophisticated and the rhythms sometimes feeble (“where oh where is love, does it fall from skies above?”), but they’re so tuneful and put over with such elan that last night’s audience rightly cheered Consider Yourself, You’ve Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two and several others. Moreover Matthew Bourne handles the thronging crowds with none of the cuteness that they so often attract from choreographers in musicals.” Benedict Nightingale, THE TIMES, 15 January 2009.

“Where was Rosemary Leach? She’s on the posters but not in the programme and her part is now being played by Louise Gold. The Whingers were very disappointed and considered asking for their money back.” PhilandAndrew at West End Whingers, WEST END WHINGERS, 24 December 2008.

“But (Sean) Kenny choose a largely abstract revolving approach to Bart’s most famous musical. Perhaps that’s why in my memory the creators of the major and minor roles seem more dynamic than those on view today at Drury Lane engulfed as they are in this hugely lavish and generously supercharged production which tosses them up and down and hither and thither at the press of a button” Peter Roberts, PLAYS INTERNATIONAL, Vol 24, Nos 3 & 4, February/March 2009.

“Matthew Bourne provides a lot of movement to crowd a busy stage but it is all activity and, sadly no choreography.” Robert Tanitch, THE LADY, 27 January 2009.

“Julian Bleach and Louise Gold as those undertaking Sowerberrys are chilling” Lynda Trapnell, MUSICAL STAGES, Issue 60, Winter 2008/9.

“Part of the problem is that it has simply been choreographed to death. From Atkinson downwards, every member of the cast seems to be placing his or her feet in precisely the right points on the stage – to the millimetre – at every millisecond.” Tim Walker, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, 18 January 2009.

“Some shows, it seems, don’t really close; they simply go on hiatus. So it is with “Oliver!”, the perennial British favourite that was revived in a large, clamorous West End production during the 1990s and is now back in a new, even busier, and considerably more entertaining go-round a decade later in a staging actually based on the previous one – with several crucial differences.” Matt Wolf, INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE, 28 January 2009.

Links about Oliver!

Official Show site: http://www.oliverthemusical.com/ , photographs from this production can be found on the site, see: http://www.oliverthemusical.com/music_and_video/photos.php (note in particular Image 6 of 15 where Louise Gold can be clearly spotted, it’s possible she may be somewhere in Image 4 as well but your webmaster isn’t sure).

Wikipedia entry for the musical: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver!

See Tickets (Drury Lane’s Box Office)’s page for the show: http://www.seetickets.com/see/event_campaign.asp?code=307572

Official London Theatre Guide, casting news: http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/latest/view/item102749/Carroll-joins-Prenger-as-Nancy/

Playbill.com, announcement of casting: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/122868-Carroll_and_Lark_Join_Company_of_London_Oliver!_Revival_Casting_Now_Complete

Broadway World, announcement of casting: http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=35181

Show-And-Stay, announcement of full cast: http://www.show-and-stay.co.uk/theatre-news/full-cast-of-oliver-announced-20243.html

Official London Theatre Guide item about the first previews being cancelled: http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/latest/view/item103598/Oliver!-cancels-first-two-shows/

Playbill.com article (by Mark Shenton) about the opening of the show: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/125158.html

The Independent’s review by Michael Coveney: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/first-night-oliver-theatre-royal-drury-lane-london-1366912.html

The Guardian’s review by Michael Billington: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/jan/15/oliver-review-michael-billington

The Daily Mail’s review by Quentin Letts: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/reviews/article-1116548/QUENTIN-LETTS-Consider-musical-star-Mr-Bean.html

The Times’s review by Benedict Nightingale: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article5519237.ece

The Daily Telegraph’s review by Charles Spencer: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturecritics/charlesspencer/4244331/Oliver-musical-First-night-review-at-the-Theatre-Royal-Drury-Lane.html

UK Tickets’s review by Jack at UK Tickets: http://www.uktickets.co.uk/event/oliver_musical_tickets_london/details/news/206/

Broadway World (announcement about the show): http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Theatre_Royal_Drury_Lanes_OLIVER_20081124 also http://westend.broadwayworld.com/article/_Mackintoshs_OLIVER_Scores_Big_with_Critics_and_Box_Office_20090115 (this is one of the sources that gives Rosemary Leach down as still in it.

West End Theatre Direct’s Entry for the review roundup of the show: http://westendtheatredirect.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821232018551

Vistlondon.com’s entry for the show: http://www.visitlondonoffers.com/theatre/oliver-79.htm

Whatsonstage’s review roundup for the show: http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821232018551&title=Review+Round-up%3A+Critics+Consider+Oliver!+a+Smash%3F

The Luxury Hotel Collection’s entry for the show: http://www.luxuryhotelcollection.com/theatre/oliver_musical-79.htm

Delfont Mackintosh Theatres’s entry for the show: http://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/News/newsdetail.php?newskey=32

Broadway.com In London’s entry for the show: http://london.broadway.com/show/id/3010687/Oliver!

IndieLondon’s entry for the show, a review roundup: http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Theatre-Review/oliver-opens-to-favourable-reviews (this one, unusually, does give Louise Gold as playing Mrs Bedwin as well as Mrs Sowerberry)

Theatremania’s entry for the show: http://www.theatermania.com/new-york/news/10-2008/final-casting-set-for-london-oliver_13323.html

London Theatre Guide Online’s entry for the show: http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/cgi-bin/search.cgi?mytemplate=tp2&method=all&event1=oliver&00theatre=drury (this one also states that Rosemary Leech is playing Mrs Bedwin)

Tamsin Carroll’s unofficial fansite’s page about the show: http://gossipcom.com/tcarroll/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=2

The West End Wingers’s review of the show: http://westendwhingers.wordpress.com/2008/12/24/review-oliver-drury-lane/

Whatsonstage.TV’s entry for the show (including news video about the first night): http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8831231955443&title=WOS+TV%3A+Oom-pah-pah+All+Round+at+Oliver!+Opening

Strictly Come Dancing Website’s item about this show: http://strictlydancing.utopian-totality.co.uk/i-d-do-anything/critics-thoughts-on-oliver-opening.html

London Theatre Guide’s news item about Omar Djalili taking over as Fagin: http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/latest/view/item104335/Djalili-takes-on-Fagin/ (curiously manages to include Rosemary Leach as still being in the show)

TheatreMania’s article about Omar Djalili taking over as Fagin: http://www.theatermania.com/london/news/02-2009/omid-djalili-to-replace-rowan-atkinson-in-west-end_17530.html

WhatsOnStage’s article about Omar Djalili taking over as Fagin: http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8831234353845&title=Omid+Djalili+Succeeds+Atkinson+as+Fagin+in+Oliver!

All About Jewish Theatre, review by Judi Herman: http://www.jewish-theatre.com/visitor/article_display.aspx?articleID=3148

Abbey Box Office: http://www.abbeyboxoffice.co.uk/news/oliver-enjoys-opening-night,27,ABB.html

Review Roundup’s page for the show: http://www.westendtheatredirect.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821232018551

Esher’s C Of E High School’s review of the West End production http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache:KaigAr6boDUJ:www.esherhigh.surrey.sch.uk/_includes/attachments/P77/Oliver!.doc+%22Louise+Gold%22&cd=176&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

A review, by Emma Shane, of seeing Myra Sands in the Discovering Lost Musicals production of Johnny Johnson (seeing as it overlaps with Myra appearing in Oliver!): http://www.qsulis.demon.co.uk/Reviews/Johnny_Johnson.htm