Oliver! Tickets

Based on the classic Charles Dickens novel 'Oliver Twist', 'Oliver!' has been one of the most popular musicals to appear on London's West End. Adapted to stage by Lionel Bart, the musical's original incarnation at the Noel Coward Theatre (opening in June of 1960) was hugely successful and encouraged the adaptation of the story to film (the 1968 movie 'Oliver', directed by Carol Reed, won five Oscar Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director). The Broadway production resulted in a Tony Award in 1963 for Best Composer and Lyricist. 'Oliver!' has recently regained public interest after it was the featured musical for reality television show 'I'd Do Anything!', in which performers competed for the lead role of 'Nancy' in the forthcoming musical's West End season. The winner, Jodie Prenger, is set to take the stage from opening night at the Theatre Royale on the 12th of December, 2008.

'Oliver' is set in the nineteenth century in a dirty, crime-riddled London that is positively heaving with people. Oliver Twist, one of many young orphans living at a workhouse run by Mr Bumble and Widow Corney, is brave enough to ask for a second helping of gruel at lunch time, only to be punished for his rude behaviour and sold to an undertaker as an apprentice. Oliver is scared at the thought of having to sleep in the basement with coffins and is constantly teased and mocked by the other workmen. Finally he snaps and is caught by the undertaker fighting with another staff member. The undertaker locks Oliver inside a coffin and calls for Mr Bumble but Oliver escapes and begins his life on the run. After a few weeks Oliver meets another young boy, the 'Artful Dodger', who listens to Oliver's horrible tale of captivity and servitude and then invites him to stay at his friend Fagin's hideout. Believing that Fagin and his team of street urchins are in fact in the business of making handkerchiefs, Oliver agrees to join their raggedy group.

The following day before Oliver begins 'work' he is introduced to Nancy, the girlfriend of Bill Sykes, a terrifying burglar whose reputation is well known around London. Nancy and Oliver have an instant connection and Nancy shows genuine love and concern towards the young boy, quickly becoming a mother figure for him. Later in the day Oliver is taken out on the rounds and is terrified when he realizes that Fagin and his gang of street urchins are actually pick-pockets. The robbery of a wealthy gentleman, Mr Brownlow, ends with Oliver being captured and taken to court, though Mr Brownlow stands up for the boy and eventually takes him into his home. This leads to consternation amongst the pick-pockets and Fagin, Bill Sykes and a reluctant Nancy conspire to kidnap Oliver to prevent him from revealing their whereabouts.

Oliver is subsequently taken from outside Mr Brownlow's home and is held captive; in the meantime, a locket belonging to Oliver's mother is returned by the Oliver's orphanage to Mr Brownlow, who realizes that Oliver is in fact his biological grandson. Nancy, in a fit of despair over the kidnapping and captivity of Oliver, visits Mr Brownlow and promises to find a way to reunite the two and organizes to meet Mr Brownlow on London Bridge later that night. Bill, suspecting Nancy is conspiring against him, follows her and Oliver to London Bridge. When Bill realizes that Nancy intends to free their captive he confronts her and Oliver and ends up beating her to death, taking the now unconscious Oliver and fleeing. Mr Brownlow stumbles upon Nancy's body and calls for help, drawing a large crowd who start braying for Bill Syke's scalp. Bill suddenly appears on London Bridge, threatening to kill his captive if the crowd come near him. Fortunately two police-officers witness Bill's threats and sneak up on him, one shooting him dead whilst the other saves Oliver from falling over the side of the Bridge. Oliver is reunited with Mr Brownlow, his grandfather, and the story ends.

'Oliver!' contains some of theatre's best known songs, including 'Food, Glorious Food', 'Consider Yourself' and 'I'd Do Anything'. It is expected that the new season of the musical on the West End will be one of it's best selling seasons ever, with Rowan Attkinson (famous for the television shows 'Mr Bean' and 'Black Adder') taking the role of Fagin and 'I'd Do Anything!' winner Jodie Prenger performing as Nancy. Olivier Award Winning Director Rupert Goold is heading the creative team. Although the revival doesn't open until December, tickets are selling out incredibly fast, so it is advisable to book as early as possible to avoid missing out.