This thread can be where us posters post our reviews of the show.

I saw Oliver! on Saturday with Gwion playing Oliver, and thought the show was very good- all the performances were excellent- Rowan Atkinson for me was the stand out performance.

Though I wanted Jessie to win the show, Jodie was fantastic and tbh having seen the show I dont think Jessie, Niamh or Samantha would have suited the role.

The major problem with the show, was not the show itself but the theatre- I was in a balcony seat and first off one of my party suffered from vertigo and nearly had to leave the show before it began, as it was so high up and secondly being that high up you couldnt see the very front of the stage, and what was frustrating about this was that they did quite a bit of the show there, even though the stafe was very big and they could have done the show further back to allow for this.

But all in all this show was well worth it and would see it again.

Saw Oliver last Friday (16th January) and thought I'd post a few lines congratulating all concerned for a spectacular, uplifting show.

We had Gwion as Oliver and Robert Madge as Dodger. I think Gwion did well at disguising his accent but his accent is so different he did sound a bit stilted - surely he could use his own accent? No two accents, bar the London lot, were the same so can't see that it matters much. I had been hoping for Harry, or Laurence (which means return trips) but Gwion did do well. Robert was brilliant and charmed even the 'come-on-impress-me' types sitting beside me - men clearly dragged there by the wives - who were converted long before the interval. I liked Jodie very much, and I wasn't a great fan of hers during I'd Do Anything. I thought she was warm yet tough, and her As Long As He Needs Me was truly moving. I noticed her voice crack slightly at one point but it was on a lyric about gin and hard-living in 'Fine Life' so it was fairly apt! Rowan Atkinson was hilarious, with only occasional nods to Bean (thank God!) and a fantastic opening line. Had everyone howling with the slightest gesture. Burn Gorman was suitably mean and menacing (and a thoroughly nice chap at the stage door. Jodie was lovely too.) Nipper was very cute and funny and the gang were all great, as were the workhouse boys - Food Glorious Food was a powerful opening.

Could have done without the parlor scene between Mr Bumble and Widow Corney, or at least a slightly less in your face portrayal, same can be said for Noah and Charlotte, but thought the Sowerberry's were excellent.

Universally praised, I know, but the design and execution of the show is phenomenal. Anthony Ward's sets are an absolute triumph. Every location and scene was obviously thought through meticulously - beautifully rendered and realised, looking almost illustrated. I literally sat slack-jawed at the scale and polish of the whole show.

There was an immediate, house-wide standing ovation and the clapping didn't die down for ages. Think all the main cast had at least 3 bows and Rowan made a point of pulling the two boys forward for a fourth! There was an incredible atmosphere of goodwill and joy amongst the audience and I've never felt a buzz quite like it in the air before, during and after a performance, and I've been to quite a few. Marvelous. Will be back.

All in all it's a wonderful, feel-good family show which, I suspect, I'll be seeing more than once.

Sounds superb. I will hopefully be booking my tickets soon. Really hoping for Harry as Oliver. Gwion is my least favourite.

Let we write a little more of a review here.

I went to see the show on the evening of Friday 23rd January and had seats in the Balcony right in the middle about 6 rows up. The view from up here was pretty decent in my opinion. I could see all the stage and could just about make out facial expressions. I'd imagine much further back would be hard to get a decent view of the front of the stage and that the sides would be also restrict your view.


I was hoping to see Gwion, but Oliver was played by Laurence. He did a fine job in the role. However the child star of this performance for me was the Dodger (think it was Ross McCormack). He did everything to perfection - acting, singing, dancing. Even had the humour when needed.

Rowan Atkinson was hilarious as Fagin and gave a cracking performance. I've heard some people question is singing ability. But I do not think it's an issue. Yes he may not have a powerful voice. But he doesn't need it. He makes the role his own and fills the stage whenever he is on and reaches out to the whole theatre (even to us 'poor people' up in the Balcony ) . The quality of his performance vastly out does any weakness in singing.

Burn Gorman wasn't performing this night (much to my dismay being a big Torchwood fan) how ever the Bill Sykes was good and menacing.

As you guessed it by my posting here, I wached IDA on TV last year. Jodie was always my favourite when the show got to the studio finals. So I was over joyed when she won. But I was really nervous before going to the show as to how she would perform. I know she was the best on TV. But how would that transfer to the stage?

I need not have been worried at all. From the moment she stepped on the stage you could hardly fault her. The first thing which stands out is her interaction with the others on stage, epsecially the kids. She really IS Nancy and I doubt any of the other girls could have performed the way she did. Her singing was superb. Her acting mostly fantastic. Like Rowan Atkinson, she could fill that stage. As Long as He needs me was the star song and would have liked her to sing it again.

So over all the show was fantastic. The sets were amazing. The big performance pieces of 'Who Will Buy' and 'Consider Yourself' were as good as you could imagine. The kids were great from the opening scene.

However, I guess a review wouldn't be fair if I didn't point out a few problems. A few key scenes seemed a bit rushed leaving you feeling suprised they were over already (the death of Bill Sykes and Nancy being the main two - but I guess you don't want to dwell on these too much). I also missed the key action of the theft from mr Brownlow. The stage was so busy at that time with so much happening that you didn't know where to look. It wasn't until the act had been done that I realised it was going on. It is a shame such a key plot point should be so easy to miss. Not an issue if you are familiar with the show. But if you are new to it and you miss that bit you'll be very confused when Mr Brownlow is asking for hims things back and Dodger has disappeared leaving Oliver behind.

But really these are minor things. For me the show is mainly about the big performances from the main characters. And at these points the show approaches perfect. I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed this. I'd really love to try and go again and advise anyone who has the slightest thought of going to go se it as soon as you can.

I would like to add my review, saw the show on the evening of Sat 31st Jan.

First off seating, can be an issue for us as my wife is only small and so often has someones head in the way, but we were in the balcony about 4 rows back and apart from the odd bit where they go across the orchestra pit you can see everything.

We had Gwion as Oliver, as much as I liked him in the TV series I thought he was a little wooden and fluffed a few lines but it didn't matter as to be honest Oliver is always a bit of a bit part in it as most of the time he is just in the scene watching it all unfold.

Robert Madge as Dodger was awesome, he is only eleven and has the cockyness of someone much more his senior. By far the best perormer on stage apart from Rowan Atkinson.

Rowan Atkinson I already held in high regard but in this he is just phenomenal. He adds comedy to the role but has an underlying evilness about him too. You are just fixated by him when he is on stage.

Jodie, I wasn't a fan of hers on the TV but to be honest she plays the role well and I was pleasntly suprised. Still needs a bit of work on the acccent but much better than before. The only minor gripe I had with her was when she was singng "as long as he needs me" she was trying to put so much emotion in it it sounded out of time.

Burn Gorman was the one I was dissapointed with, just can't seem to get past the Mr. Guppy role he played and I wasn't convinced with him playing a hard man. He was Ok but would have prefered someone like on the Timothy Spall adaptation.

The show itself was brilliant, a lot of what I would call the more boring scenes were quickly dealt with to allow us to enjoy the rest. Sets are superb, dancing brilliant and had a wonderful night, it just flew by. Quick mention to the girl who plays Bet who again I thought was excellent and played a complete drunk to perfection. Consider Yourself and Reviewing the Situation were the highlights for me. If you haven't booked to see it, do, as you wont be dissapointed.

I have to wait untill May 23rd. Good reviews though!

Just been to see it

What an amazing show

Gwion played Oliver and Jodie played Nancy they were both amazing

wished Rowan wasn't on holiday though

I'm going next Monday night!

I've got a feeling that will be the night (along with the midweek Matinee that the understudies take the stage) but no matter, I'm still very excited to see the show.

Will be in the Stalls, so hope I can still get a good overview of the big production numbers.

I was sat in the stalls, La Rhumba, and I could see all the big numbers fine ..The theatre is very good so whereever you sit I imagine you would have a great view

Indeed I did, thanks yellow_purple!
It was my first time in Row O, and I would certainly book there again, the view of the whole stage, and sound, was excellent. In the past I've sat further up in the Stalls, around Row E, and thinking back, it's a bit too close really. You appreciate the depth of the stage much more further back.

Oliver! was an fantastic show, I really enjoyed it. I hadn't realised it was revamped from the 1994 production, with Matthew Bourne's choreography and Sam Mendes' direction till I read the programme. I never saw that production, but have always wanted to see Oliver live on stage, having danced and sang "Consider Yourself" at Pat's Tap & Ballet classes way back in my youth, lol!

Going there in the Addison Lee taxi (very comfortable and reasonable rates, highly recommended) we got a bit of goss from the chatty driver, who had collected "a young Scottish boy with his chaperone last week from the station to the Theatre." I'm guessing that was Francesco Piacentini-Smith from Glasgow, playing Oliver.

On the night, August 10th, we saw lovely Gwion, and his voice was crystal clear, he moved me to tears singing "Where Is Love?" and acted the part emotionally too. There was a nice Welsh lady sat ahead of us, and I asked if she knew Gwion or was related, but she said no, lol. His Welsh accent was very strong, both singing and speaking, but it really didn't matter, as he had been born and raised in the Workhouse far from London town. I hadn't realised just how much the character would be in the thick of the action on stage, and I thought Gwion really performed the part well, and was more impressive than I'd expected for one so young (12, but looks even younger).

Robert Madge playing the Artful Dodger was wonderful!
He got the audience laughing lots, and the interplay was great with Fagin and the Gang. I LOVED the big production numbers, the kids were fantastic! (Whether playing Street Urchins or Workhouse Orphans).

There was alot of comedy and saucy moments too - which they kept, even though there were lots of children in the audience. It was also very menacing in parts, and dark. I thought Burn Gorman as Bill Sikes was frightening and had a powerful voice, but my sister said he was the one character she found "disappointing compared to Oliver Reed in the film." So I guess you can't please everybody.

Omid Djalili was very funny as Fagin! I don't know his work on TV, but my sister recognized part of his act when he adlibbed some of his lines. He really threw himself into the role and I liked the physical comedy dancing he performed with the violin music, lol! Also I was glad to see he played Fagin as a Jewish character, and didn't water it down due to political correctness or risk offending people (as he is obviously a Muslim by birth with Iranian parents). He turned the "I'm Making a Living" lines into a humorous sterotype, but nothing was offensive in my opinion. I'm out of touch, but maybe all the controversy has died down now re Fagin being an anti-Semitic character?
Like Antony Andrews as Professor Higgins, Omid had charisma and stage presence, but not such a strong singing voice, so he mostly spoke/shouted the lyrics, which was fine.

Jodie Prenger has lost alot of weight! I had to check it was her, and yes, definitely it was! She was looking great, and sang very well. Her big number of "As Long As He Needs Me" got the biggest round of applause on the night, as she ran off the stage (you should've lingered a bit Jodie and lapped it up!)

I absolutely loved Julian Bleach as Mr Sowerberry, the Undertaker. That whole scene when Mr Bumble takes Oliver to be sold there was great, the way Mr Sowerberry moved his skinny body in the Gothic black costume was like being transported back in time, very theatrical and Dickensian.

Wendy Ferguson as Mrs Bumble was also funny, and had a great voice.
I thought Mr Brownlow looked familiar, and ooh, it was distinguished actor Julian Glover!
The whole cast were very good.

One of my favourite moments was the poignant song "Who Will Buy?" at the Brownlow house in Bloomsbury sung by the Ensemble, especially Jenny Fitzpatrick asking who wanted her bright red roses, very ethereal and beautiful tone to her voice and performance. I loved it, quite mesmeric, that entire scene was truly gorgeous.

I was very interested to read the costumes and sets were created by Anthony Ward, who designed the production of 'My Fair Lady' I saw 4 times at the same Theatre, and loved so much. With the vast stage at Drury Lane, the sets were epic, recreating old London town. I'm always thrilled and impressed by this aspect of live Theatre.

The atmosphere was electric as the entire cast sang a Reprise of "Consider Yourself" after the Curtain Call. I stood clapping, singing along, as the audience joined in too, it was so much fun! As with "Mary Poppins" reprising "Supercali...etc." it's always great to hear the Orchestra strike up again as a final farewell and thanks to the audience in one communal clap-a-long!!
It was good to see Oliver/The Artful Dodger take equal bows, and the main Leads were cheered to the rafters, with Bill Sikes being roundly booed in Pantomime fashion lol! He laughed and took it as indented!
There were several bows again and again as we didn't want to let them go.

Fabulous live Orchestra, you can't beat it, Musical Theatre, I LOVE it! Can't wait to go again. Theatre Royal is not only the oldest, but the best in the West End in my view.
An extra highlight was the Barman in the foyer - the image of Adam Cooper!!

As we left the foyer, I gravitated towards the Stage Door for autographs, but there was a long queue, and our taxi was waiting. As I walked back, a whoosh of little boys with Mums and Chaperones rushed past me hurriedly, including Gwion. I so wanted to call out for an autograph, but it was too late. Hopefully next time.

Just wanted to add:

Lionel Bart created a masterpiece, what a show to leave as your legacy, one brilliant song after another!

I'm pleased that Cameron Mackintosh gave him a portion of the royalties back, after his Bankruptcy.