Oliver! cancelled tomorrow and Saturday!!!

The first Friday evening and Saturday matinee performances of Oliver! have been cancelled at ridiculously short notice. Apparently they need another couple more days to rehearse.

first of all Lovepigeon Bring the DSS logo back, i love it

2nd didn't that damn oliver reality show finish ages ago, surely they should have scheduled enough rehearsal time surely

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Alternate Nancy would surely be a blessing.

There will be so many annoyed people. I don't know how far ahead it is sold out (or near) that it will be hard for the people affected to see it again soon.
They should all go see Sunset Boulevard instead (but I don't think they'd fit)

I assumed it would be for technical reasons rather than anything else. My comment about Gwion was meant to be tongue in cheek. I make no bones that he wouldn't have been my choice for the role. However, I don't see the likes of ALW and CM making such a massive mistake. I'm just not sure a boy that was born and raised in a workhouse in Dunstable (Bedfordshire) would have a broad Welsh accent.

He is a charming and very generous man - when things are going well! When things aren't - well... one doesn't want to think!

I am sure this production will be amazing; it certainly was in 1994, and this one will be better a second time round! I can't wait!

People shouldn't be upset... it's a PREVIEW... in affect, it's an open rehearsal - so, one must expect problems. But, I can see the annoyance if you're excited about seeing the show, and then not being able to see it few months down the line. 5000 people will certainly be angry.

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"People shouldn't be upset... it's a PREVIEW... in affect, it's an open rehearsal"

Sorry, strongly disagree, if the tickets were half price or something then fair enough, but if a customer is paying full price they have every right to expect the proper product. Its not their problem the show isnt ready.

and where did it all start for him?

Sweeping the stage where is latest production is opening.


If you believe that, you'll believe anything.

Sister, hitting the nail on the head as usual!

Bearing in mind that this production has toured (albeit in a limited way)there should be no excuse for this- especially with such a genius producer at the helm.

"So, daydream over, back to the contracts and spreadsheets."

You love it really

I met a friend of mine on Friday, who is in the show, in between rehearsals and they said they were told to expect at least the first preview to be taken out as early as the beginning of last week.
They explained to me that even tho yes it is the same set as the Palladium production, now that its at The Lane they have added a lot more to it.
'Oliver!' is the first show to use almost the entire stage at Drury Lane.
They explained that, incorporated into the old set design are a lot of new sliding pieces such as full scale houses etc that take up the entire stage. It is this huge set that has caused the problems so far in the last few days. As they explained what it was like to have to rehearse every single scene 3 times -at least-and a newish set then I began to understand the shear size of the show that Cameron has staged this time around.
I did laugh when told that the company weren't sure who was the director or who was the producer!!
I saw mobile phone footage of the set and it is ******* huge- i was surprised!
I'm still gonna hold out to see the Aussie lady as Nancy.
The cancelled preview yesterday afternoon was made into a half open dress- did anyone go???

Is pretty bloomin good.
The london sets are terrific the whole depth of stage is used.
Lots of moving the floor up and down, the only poor bit is the bridge gets a bit shakey.
Overall very very high production values - orchestra of around 20! Great sets, great costumes, very slick for 3rd night.
The big numbers are wonderful in their old fashioned HUGEness.

Atkinson is a triumph as Faigin, reviewing the situation a total showstopper. Jodie not as irratating as in the park, shes pretty okay apart from as long as reprise.

Sarah Lark is a very bright spot in the huge chorus, the kids are great, especially Dodger, Welsh oliver so so, got better as night progressed.

The Bumble and widow whatsit scenes are not good, just too much, as is part of the undertaker scene, though Julian Bleach is an excellent Sowerberry.
Also thought it a bit ick to have someone actually throw up in oom pah pah.

As reported elsewhere Bill Sykes has something missing, he's got the charisma of a snail so we have no clue as to why Nancy is willing to die to keep him.

Was was up in the balcony so missed a fair bit, but got the overall effect, only could see half an oliver during where is love which isnt good, a foot back and it would have been fine.

Along with 1 oliver 2 of the dodgers were Michael banks and Bet was a Jane Banks

Updated On: 12/16/08 at 06:55 PM