Scaled-down production of OLIVER!, directed & choreographed by Matthew Bourne, to play Chichester & West End in 2024

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/2/24 at 3:25pm

Feels like a smart move by Cameron Mackintosh and Bourne to scale back the show. Its West End venue, the Gielgud, has just 986 seats.

Per Bourne: "In 1994, I first worked, as a choreographer, with Cameron Mackintosh on Lionel Bart's legendary musical Oliver!—the spectacular Palladium revival, directed by Sam Mendes—it launched a collaboration and friendship that has become one of the most important of my career. ... Along with my regular collaborators Lez Brotherston and Paule Constable, we are taking it back to its roots, inspired by the groundbreaking 'poor theatre' designs of Sean Kenny—who revolutionized the modern musical along with Lionel and his Joan Littlewood Theatre Workshop influences."

The musical will be seen at the Chichester venue July 8–September 7 before arriving at London's Gielgud December 14.

Produced and revised by Mackintosh, Oliver! is directed and choreographed by Bourne and co-directed by Jean-Pierre van der Spuy with designs by Lez Brotherston, musical supervision and conducting by Graham Hurman, lighting design by Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs, sound design by Adam Fisher, projection design by George Reeve, and original orchestrations by William David Brohn adapted by Stephen Metcalfe.

Updated On: 7/2/24 at 03:25 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/2/24 at 4:01pm

I imagine this will be a lot like Cameron’s newer production of Les Miz with lots of projections but I’m excited to see what this looks like and what his “revisions” will be. I like the artwork. It’s a lot like little Cossette in the Les Miz artwork and it puts the focus of the artwork back on Oliver instead of the Palladium artwork which was focused on Fagin. I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since the last revival in London.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/2/24 at 4:04pm

I think Matthew Bourne is a lot more talented than the guys behind the LES MIS scale-down, so that gives me more hope.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 7/2/24 at 5:37pm

Are you familiar with the origins of the 1960 stage production of "Oliver!"? I don't think we'll see any projections. They say they are going back to the roots of the Sean Kenny design. I expect we will see a very spare production with 'poor theatre' techniques utilised. And yes I am delighted to see the original artwork being quoted here for this new production. The original production had the image of a child as its logo. 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/2/24 at 6:11pm

Musicaldudepeter said: "I don't think we'll see any projections."

Projection design by George Reeve.

 

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 7/2/24 at 6:23pm

CATSNYrevival said: "Musicaldudepeter said: "I don't think we'll see any projections."

Projection design by George Reeve.

"

I think we'll see some projections  

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/14/24 at 5:18pm

Has anyone seen this production yet? The cast album is out in January. Based on the track list I'm curious how it works with "I Shall Scream" being repositioned, and did they really cut the act two reprises of "Where is Love" and "It's a Fine Life" or are they just not included on the album?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/14/24 at 5:32pm

I’m seeing it next week 

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 12/14/24 at 6:52pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I think Matthew Bourne is a lot more talented than the guys behind the LES MIS scale-down, so that gives me more hope."

Saying someone is a better director than Laurence Connor isn't much of a complement ;)

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/10/25 at 1:58am

Cast album is streaming now.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 1/10/25 at 9:12am

I've just listened to it and thought it was really good. Although as a fan of the cast recording of the previous revival with Rowan Atkinson, it did take a bit for me to get used to the new approach. As for how they compare overall, I found them to be interchangeable. I really liked what I've heard from Cian Eagle-Service as Oliver Twist. I especially thought that beefing up his solo part in 'Who Will Buy?' was a nice touch.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/10/25 at 11:36am

I’m really enjoying it. Billy Jenkins is the stand out for me as Dodger. I don’t understand repositioning “I Shall Scream” but I’d need to see how it plays in the show. I like the new introduction with Bill and Nancy in act one singing a bit of “My Name.” Simon Lipkin is doing good work but I haven’t decided how I feel about his fourth wall breaking, it sounds like he’s  berating the musicians during “Reviewing the Situation.” That’s very over the top. I won’t spoil it for those that haven’t listened yet, but there is a slight change to the finale. It’s a nod to the film, I imagine, but not the same as the film ending. I liked that too.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/10/25 at 11:39am

I enjoyed this production more than any other production of this show I’ve ever personally seen. Very happy to have this now to listen to later. 

[inception]

Posted: 1/10/25 at 11:57am

Here's their performance from the most recent Royal Variety

 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/10/25 at 2:07pm

I love that Royal Variety performance. The best advertisement for a musical I’ve seen in a long time.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/15/25 at 7:48am

Reviews are In! Raves almost Across the Board

The fact that this production is running into 2026 is incredible. Looking forward to seeing it in 2 weeks.