Oliver!

[JenNYferTheatrical]

Posted: 7/15/09 at 5:26pm

Has anyone had a chance to see Oliver on the West End yet? I went to London but didn't get the chance. I would die to see Rowan Atkinson on stage though.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/15/09 at 5:32pm

I saw it in January. It was a cold, mechanical (Matthew Bourne's choreography), messy (Rupert Goold's staging) production. I will say that it made extraordinary use of the Drury Lane's tremendously deep stage, and it's unlike anything I'd ever seen before.

Rowan Atkinson was as good as you'd expect him to be. He's not much of a singer, but he milked Fagin for everything he could and did not let me, as a longtime, diehard fan of his, down. (He was even very nice at the stage door, signing programs for everyone and taking photographs...mine is hanging on my wall.)

I saw it on a Thursday, so Tamsin Caroll was on as Nancy. Very pretty voice.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/15/09 at 5:48pm

I highly recommend the new cast recording with Rowan Atkinson and Jodie Prenger. It's live so it's obviously not as polished as the studio recording from 1994, but the energy is unmatched.

[Just_John]

Posted: 7/15/09 at 6:21pm

Is Rowan Atkinson still in it? I went to London two months ago and saw four shows and he gave by far the best performance. I saw a matinee so he didn't come out the stagedoor. =[

EDIT: I looked it up. His last show is Saturday. Updated On: 7/15/09 at 06:21 PM

[Bway2010]

Posted: 7/15/09 at 9:21pm

Rowan was great, I saw him early in his run. I'd love it if this one transferred. Has there been any talk?

[Just_John]

Posted: 7/16/09 at 12:43am

I think it would be the same as "The Lord of the Rings" situation that if they opened this in the biggest broadway theater and sold out 100% from day one it would still be impossible to recoup because of how expensive it is.

[mrcacou]

Posted: 7/16/09 at 6:19am

Saw it yesterday right after Sister Act. Loved it.... again. Rowan Atkinson leaves the show on July 18th. Posters with his replacement are everywhere in the Tube now.

[homeimp]

Posted: 7/16/09 at 9:09am

I saw this sumptuous Oliver in February. Anything but cold and mechanical. Almost cinematic at times. I am not a fan of Rowan Atkinson, but he did a superb job. I must say he sounded exactly like every other Fagin I have ever seen. Is there an unwritten rule of theatre that Fagin must sound like that? Terrific choreography. I did think that the horde of orphans singing Food Glorious Food at the opening, only for most of them to be dismissed to go home, was a bit unnecessary, but impressive nonetheless. Odd that every boy in the orphanage is always approximately the same age and height, none younger, none older. Hmm...