Finding Oliver
Oliver! is perhaps one of the most famous musicals ever to hit the West End. Based on Charles Dicken's classic, Oliver Twist, the musical is making a comeback via the medium of reality TV. Show and Stay like to keep you informed on all the comings and goings in theatreland and this, of course is no exception.
Introducing the Final Twelve
Out of the final twelve potential Olivers, three will be chosen to play the role when the show hits the West End. The 'Olivers' won't be put to the public vote, they will simply have to face the judges over the next few weeks. They are (in alphabetical order):
Alexander, an 11 year old from London.
Arthur, aged 10, from Bristol.
Chester, a 12 year old from Middlesex.
Gareth, aged 12 and from Londonderry.
Gwion, an 11 year old from Carmarthenshire.
Harry, aged 12, from Oxfordshire.
Jonny, 13 and from Warwickshire.
Jordan, also 13 years old and from Wrexham.
Joseph, aged 10, from Berkshire.
Kwayedza, a 13 year old boy from Kent.
Lawrence, aged 11 from Cheshire.
and Sam, a 10 year old from Hampshire.
The team at Show and Stay® wish all twelve young finalists the very best on their journey over the next few weeks. Keep an eye on Show and Stay for all the latest news on I'd Do Anything.
What does the successful candidate need?
The original Oliver certainly had an air of innocence and naivety about him which is something that the public are keen to see more of in the new adaptation. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh, however, have other ideas in mind. Oliver (in Andrew Lloyd Webber's words) "has to be able to hold his own around the streets of London," whereas Cameron Mackintosh stated that the Oliver he would like to appoint would be "A really gutsy boy with the voice of an angel... somebody who will break everybody's hearts." It looks like the pair are certainly planning on updating the title role to appeal to the modern audience.
The Story
Oliver! is the classic tale of rags to riches whereby the protagonist is left orphaned as a baby and ends up in the workhouses of the 19th century. The musical, tells the story of an innocent orphan left at a workhouse by his late mother. After a turbulent life, being tossed from here to there, Oliver finds himself in the company of the Artful Dodger and his master, Fagin. With a little luck and some help from those around him, Oliver is able to escape the clutches of street crime as he is reunited with his Grandfather.
History of the Show
The musical first hit the West End on 30th June 1960 at the New Theatre (now called the Noel Coward Theatre) where it had a successful run for many years. Oliver! was adapted for the stage by Lionel Bart from the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist, and was subsequently the only successful musical converted by the man. Oliver! did, however, launch the careers of many household names that we all know and love today: Phil Collins, Davy Jones, and Tony Robinson were just three people to take the title role in the original show.
Oliver! was such a huge success that the show opened in Broadway in 1963 at the Imperial Theatre before being made into a film in 1968 by Sir Carol Reed. The film won five Academy Awards in total and starred the delightful Mark Lester in the title role.
In 1994, the show had a West End revival with additional music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. Jon Lee of S Club 7 played the part of Oliver before Tom Fletcher (McFly) took over later in the show's run.
