The largest production of Oliver! ever staged has landed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Lionel Bart’s classic, first staged in London in 1960, stars Griff Rhys Jones as Fagin. Appearing alongside them are the stars of BBC television’s I’d Do Anything, Jodie Prenger as Nancy with Gwion Wyn Jones, Zac Hurst and Francesco Piancentini-Smith alternating the title role.

An expansion of Sam Mendes’ iconic London Palladium production in the early 1990’s, Oliver! features a cast of 35 adults, a 22 piece orchestra and three alternating companies of 50 children. The breathtaking and ambitious set uses every inch of the Drury Lane’s expansive stage, and features some spectacular choreography by world renowned dancer and choreographer Matthew Bourne.

Oliver! features all your favourite classics as immortalised by the 1968 movie, including Food Glorious Food, Oom Pah Pah, You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two, As Long as He Needs Me and Consider Yourself, as well as a few fantastic songs you will only hear on the stage such as the hilarious I Shall Scream, That’s Your Funeral, and Bill Sykes’ menacing My Name.

On Wednesday evening performances, the role of Nancy will be played by Tamsin Carroll.

All cast appearances are subject to illness, emergency and holiday.

• Review from the Telegraph
• Review from the Daily Mail
• Review from the Times
• Jodie Prenger's official Website
• The Obeserver Profile: Rowan Atkinson

Kerry Ellis is the new Nancy!

Kerry Ellis will take over from Jodie Prenger in the Cameron Mackintosh production of ‘Oliver!’ at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. ‘I’d Do Anything’ winner Prenger finishes her contract on 27th March 2010 with Ellis making her debut performance on the 29th of the same month.

West End Credits Ellis has an extensive list of West End credits, including Elphaba in ‘Wicked’, Meat in ‘We Will Rock You’ and cover for Eliza Doolittle in ‘My Fair Lady’, impressing in the latter role when Martine McCutcheon fell ill. She has also played Fantine in ‘Les Misérables’ and Ellen in the tour of ‘Miss Saigon’.

Oliver! - Lionel Bart’s Classic Musical Cameron Mackintosh’s re-staging of Lionel Bart’s beloved musical opened to record box office sales in January 2009. The ‘Oliver!’ score includes classics such as ‘Food Glorious Food’ and ‘Consider Yourself’.

Griff Rhys Jones as Fagin The current ‘Oliver!’ cast includes Steven Hartley as Bill Sikes, Julian Glover as Mr Brownlow, Julius D’Silva as Mr Bumble and Wendy Ferguson as Widow Corney. Griff Rhys Jones takes over from Omid Djalili as Fagin from 14 December 2009.

Posted by Ben on Wednesday 2nd December 2009 at 8:48AM

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If you are hoping to see a particular performer appear in Oliver!, always check for holiday dates first to avoid disappointment. However, it is imoprtant to remember that in live theatre, it is never guaranteed that you will see you you want to as all cast appearances are subject to illness, emergency and holiday.

• Jody Prenger does not perfrom on Wednesday evenings, at these performances the role of Nancy will be played by Tamsin Carroll.