"It's A Fine Life (reprise)" in "Oliver!"

[PeteGonBway]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 12:35am

Does anyone else find that it kills the mood? It's a very dramatic scene where Nancy threatens to turn against Bill and Fagin... and all of a sudden they're singing this happy reprise. I know the darkened it for the London revival, but still... thoughts?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 12:43am

Heard of Irony?
OLIVER was way ahead of it'e time, and it was a Big Hit.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 1:24am

Having just done the show this past summer I have some insight from our director. I played dodger and while he didnt want the song cut he wanted dodger out of it because in act hes so underwritten that he didnt feel he had enough purpose to be there. Since we kind of played it that at first throughout act one and beginning of act 2 Dodger wants to be like sykes and while fagin takes care of him that sykes is the role model for him. But because we played up the crush dodger has on nancy so much that when sykes hits her before as long as he needs me something sort of clicks. So in this big dramatic moment it gets to the point nobody can take it anymore and in a musical it means sing. The song is by no means a happy reprise though. Sykes threatens her life, she begs for god or someone to save her, fagin reilizes that he needs to fix things (which is why its before reviewing the situation) and dodger seeing that sykes is what he will become stands up for nancy and in many respects while its too late for him to change what he does he still becomes a differnt person. It becomes more a character piece for the 4 actors and while yes it may be in a random spot can be extremly effective.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 1:32am

Have you heard the new 2009 West End cast recording? It's not a happy reprise by any means. I don't think it kills the mood at all. I think it enhances it. I agree that it's a big dramatic moment and in a musical that often calls for a song, or in this case one of the most perfect examples of how to write a reprise efficiently -- and not just for the hell of it.

[PeteGonBway]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 4:57pm

I actually didn't know about the 2009 recording until today... I'm definitely going to have to get it. Anyone know where you can buy & download it? It isn't on itunes, and I don't want to have to wait for it to ship...

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/30/09 at 5:18pm

I think the intent of the reprise has never been so clear as it is on the 2009 recording. I only wish the characters had been a bit closer together on stage, which would have heightened the tension a bit more, but it was memorable scene, nonetheless.