Oliver!: Good show or bad show?

What is the general feeling about the musical "Oliver!"? I know some people dislike that the "dark" aspects were taken out, but IMO there is still some darkness to it. (Nancy and Sykes, anyone?). And I know that it would be neigh impossible to put the entire novel onstage, but the book (script) was sketchy at best, unless that's by design. I don't know the production history. That's the only thing I didn't care for. It's a wonderful score.

BTW, I read somewhere once that Julie Andrews was considered for Nancy in the movie. Was that true?

Bad. Oliver is the title character, and his first line of substance is like a half hour in. And he doesn't DO anything. I know that's not his fault, he's a Dickens character, but that doesn't work onstage.

Having seen the original with Georgia Brown, I agree this needs a revival ASAP.

Great show, great show & a shame it has not been revived by now.

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I love the novel..
but I hate the music in the musical...

They are Dickens characters and I love Dickens characters, but musically it's not a good show at all, I think.

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The original was quite a winner, the design was first rate.
I believe it is a very good show.

Good Show!

This show is massive here in the UK (kind a like Blood Brothers big with equally bad revivals and tours) and i have never understood why(blood brothers to)

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hahaha tell me about it, i never liked it but everyone else over here in the UK loves it (just celebrated 20 years)

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GREAT show. GREAT GREAT GREAT!

But a BRILLIANT film.

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After playing Dodger for over 50 performances when I was a kid, I can honestly say I HATE HATE HATE this show! HAHA!
I still think it is too dark, slow-moving, and generally boring to watch on stage.
Aside from the musical numbers "Food Glorious Food" and "Consider Yourself" - which both occur fairly early in the show, I could not stand most of the rest of the score. It was slow and tedious until "Oom Pah Pah" at the start of Act 2, most of which is filled with Reprises!
The First Act of the show featuring THE BOYS is FAR more tolerable than the adult drama of Act 2!

The movie, however has a better pace, but is still very dark and slow moving. It did win 6 Major Academy Awards though, compared to only 3 Minor Tonys for the stage production.

To each his own, eh?

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Updated On: 5/23/07 at 09:08 AM

DARK = lack of proper LIGHTING in my post....not referencing a GLOOMY or DISMAL mood! Sorry if that wasn't clear.

I've never seen a production where you could actually see the characters or scenery because of over-eager lighting designers to showcase their "mood lighting" skills.
I prefer a much better lit show I guess.

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The 96 revival was a mess(overblown) and the touring production of it around the UK was even worse

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Great show...and even better film.

Shani Wallis is marvelous.

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