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I should point out that before I begin this review of sorts that Oliver! is my absolute favourite musical of all time so I was always going to love it - I don't think it's possible to muck this show up as the characters and songs are just too perfect. However, there was one aspect I didn't particularly like, but more on that later.
The Oliver we saw was the little Welsh boy who won the part on I'd Do Anything. He is officially the most adorable little boy in the history of ever - although not the most adorable thing in the show. The biggest smile of the night from me came from the fact that they had a real life Bullseye on stage. Dogs and theatre do not mix, and although he/she wasn't on stage for a great deal of time, I was still surprised to see it.
I can't go on any further without saying how much Rowan Atkinson pwnd as Fagin. Seriously. He even made the obligatory Cheap Seats gag, which of course I found hilarious seeing as I was in fact sat in the cheap seats. His rendition of 'Reviewing the Situation' - quite arguably the most underrated song in the whole production - stole the show. His Fagin was funny, scary, charming and loveable; it was perfect. Superb does not do him justice.
I'm sure a lot of you are quite eager to hear what Burn Gorman was like. Well, he didn't disappoint either. I always thought of him as quite a small chap, and I wasn't entirely sure about his casting, I have to say. However, his stage presence was great. His first appearance from the shadows dispelled all my fears and he truly was Bill Sykes. He even sang, you guys. I forgot that Sykes had a song because there isn't one for him in the film. AND DID I MENTION HE HAD HIS BULLSEYE? HA HA SO MUCH WIN.
So, on to the bad. Nancy. Jodie, Jodie, Jodie, what's happened to you since I'd Do Anything? Firstly, her voice sounds knackered already, and previews only started last Friday. I suppose it can be down to a winter bug, there are plenty of them around (I should know), but it wasn't just her voice, I'm afraid to say. Her accent wasn't right, which made understanding her dialogue difficult at times; and I don't like saying this about professionals but I think a couple of acting classes wouldn't go a miss. Nancy is a hard part to nail, and I think Shani Wallis' version will never be bettered, but the only thing about Jodie Prenger is that she can sing and she looks like Nancy. But this certainly didn't ruin the show for me, especially as 'Reviewing the Situation' > 'Small Pleasures' to me now which I never thought would happen, but there you go. That's the power of Rowan Atkinson.
I'm off now to go and listen to something - anything - because even though I love this show like woah, I really need to get these damn songs out of my head.
The Oliver we saw was the little Welsh boy who won the part on I'd Do Anything. He is officially the most adorable little boy in the history of ever - although not the most adorable thing in the show. The biggest smile of the night from me came from the fact that they had a real life Bullseye on stage. Dogs and theatre do not mix, and although he/she wasn't on stage for a great deal of time, I was still surprised to see it.
I can't go on any further without saying how much Rowan Atkinson pwnd as Fagin. Seriously. He even made the obligatory Cheap Seats gag, which of course I found hilarious seeing as I was in fact sat in the cheap seats. His rendition of 'Reviewing the Situation' - quite arguably the most underrated song in the whole production - stole the show. His Fagin was funny, scary, charming and loveable; it was perfect. Superb does not do him justice.
I'm sure a lot of you are quite eager to hear what Burn Gorman was like. Well, he didn't disappoint either. I always thought of him as quite a small chap, and I wasn't entirely sure about his casting, I have to say. However, his stage presence was great. His first appearance from the shadows dispelled all my fears and he truly was Bill Sykes. He even sang, you guys. I forgot that Sykes had a song because there isn't one for him in the film. AND DID I MENTION HE HAD HIS BULLSEYE? HA HA SO MUCH WIN.
So, on to the bad. Nancy. Jodie, Jodie, Jodie, what's happened to you since I'd Do Anything? Firstly, her voice sounds knackered already, and previews only started last Friday. I suppose it can be down to a winter bug, there are plenty of them around (I should know), but it wasn't just her voice, I'm afraid to say. Her accent wasn't right, which made understanding her dialogue difficult at times; and I don't like saying this about professionals but I think a couple of acting classes wouldn't go a miss. Nancy is a hard part to nail, and I think Shani Wallis' version will never be bettered, but the only thing about Jodie Prenger is that she can sing and she looks like Nancy. But this certainly didn't ruin the show for me, especially as 'Reviewing the Situation' > 'Small Pleasures' to me now which I never thought would happen, but there you go. That's the power of Rowan Atkinson.
I'm off now to go and listen to something - anything - because even though I love this show like woah, I really need to get these damn songs out of my head.
