Consider Yourself, a Fantastic Show (Oliver!)

Member Name: Siospin

Product:	Oliver!
Date:	27/03/09 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Outstanding performanes by Prenger and Atkinson

Disadvantages: 2nd half slightly skimmed over

Oliver! was one of my favourite musicals when i was a child and i knew all the words to every song without truly understanding issues such as Nancy's job!
In February I went to see to the musical in London's West End at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
I am a huge theatre fanatic and have seen the majority of the musicals currently plaing in the West End.
During the search for the role of Nancy on "I'd do Anything!" I had been a supporter of Jodie Prenger from the start of the show. I was delighted that she was playing Nancy when we saw the show as sadly she does not play every performance. She does not play Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Jodie was every bit as good as I had hoped for. Her confidence has definately built up and her singing was fantastic. She even has the accent down to a t!
There is no guarantee of who the Oliver will be when you go due the legisaltion on child actors. Mean as it may sound, I was really not a fan of Gwyon - much to our joy he wasn't Oliver when we went.
The most notable performances in the show were the Artful Dodger and Fagin. The Artful Dodger definately outshines Oliver in "Consider Yourself" and provided one of the best child performances I have ever seen.
Fagin is portrayed by Rown Atkinson - an outstanding comedian, but any good as Fagin? He was truly remarkable! He brings a slightly different, more humerous side to the character and gave an outstanding performance. Teddy from the Mr Bean series also makes an appearance!
The one criticism I have of the show was that I felt the second half was slightly skimmed over and any Oliver fan will notice the missing scenes.
The musical is much darker than the films and is perhaps truer to Dickens novel than the films have been.
The songs and dances are what it's all about. "Consider yourself" was an amazing performance - I don't think I have ever seen so many people on one stage!! "Who will buy" and "Reviewing the situation" were also fantastic performances.
Whether you are a musical fan or not, I am convinced Oliver will have you singing along and you'll be swept away with the story!
I would encourage people to check the performance schedule at this website before booking to ensure you are seeing who you want as my parents purchased their tickets believing they would see Jodie perform but she wasn't. http://www.oliverthemusical.com/times_and_prices/
Across from the theatre is a mexcian restaurant which offers half price meals if you are going to see Oliver. Me and my partner went there and the meal was delicious! I would recommend this to any mexican fans for a pre-theatre meal.

Summary: A fantastic musical with great acting