Oliver

A timeless story of the boy who asked for more, Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist swept the theatergoers off their feat when it was adopted for stage, as Oliver, several years ago. Today, it is known as one of the most beloved British musicals of all times. Now, Oliver, Fagin, Nancy and a host of other famous characters are coming back to theaters to recapture your imagination in Cameron Mackintosh's Oliver. This is one classic musical that you can't afford to miss in any case.

Without dwelling much more into the plot, Oliver can be best explained as a journey of a young orphan who escapes from the shaggy life of to find himself in the gang of pickpockets in London. Oliver Twist is main the protagonist of the story while a host of other characters add many colors to this simple yet thoroughly appealing plot. Fagin and Nancy top the list. While Fagin is a criminal who teaches homeless boys how to pick pockets for him; Nancy treats Oliver like her own child. Then there are the likes of Mr. Brownlow, Bill Sikes and The Artful Dodger who make the proceedings more interesting. While all of us are already familiar with these characters, watching them live on stage is an experience in itself. That's exactly the reason why its stage adaptations always rocked the box office windows of the biggest theater venues of the world.

Not only theaters, the eventful story of a lonely boy also had its film and television adaptations. The 1968 film starring Oliver Reed and Ron Moody being the most popular one. On stage, its first West End premiere was in 1960 at the New Theatre, which is now called the Noel Coward Theatre. Oliver ran for 2618 performances there and then headed for a successful Broadway run in 1963. It got ten Tony nominations and won awards for scenic Design, musical direction and Lionel Bart's wonderful score. Indeed, Lionel Bart's work for the musical seems to be its biggest USP till date.

Before further tours and revivals, Oliver made headlines with its Hollywood adaptation in 1968 that won a whooping six Oscars. A West End production during the late 1970s marked Cameron Mackintosh's first and perhaps most faithful revival of the original. The show ran successfully for over two years. A limited Christmas season revival was also staged in 1983 directed by Peter Coe. The 1980s also witnessed two USA productions, first in 1983 by Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theatre and another as a short-lived lived Broadway revival at The Mark Hellinger Theater. The 1986 UK production at the Queen's Theatre Essex is said to be the last professional production of Oliver that used Sean Kenny's original stage design.

Oliver rocked London theaters again in 1994, directed by Sam Mendes. This time, the production was loaded some additional music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical also toured international destinations such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Singapore during 2002-04. Cameron Mackintosh and Networks presented its North American tour in 2003 that hit the major theatrical venues in USA and one in Canada till 2005. Besides that, an Estonian revival was produced in 2003.

The current production of Oliver is a revival of 1994 Sam Mendes production. Directed by Rupert Goold, it opened on 14 January 2009 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. It was declared a hit much before its run, as it earned over 15m euro in advance sales. Award-winning actor and comedian Omid Djalili portrays the role of Fagin in this production. Jodie Prenger stars as Nancy while Burn Gorman portrays Bill Sikes. With a cast and orchestra of over one hundred, this production has every ingredient of a SUPER-HIT.

Like before, Oliver has received great response from the reviewers and theatergoers this time. Be it the sensational sets by Anthony Ward or great work of Tony award winning director and choreographer Matthew Bourne, everything makes Oliver the most happening musical that is currently playing in London. And of course, Dickens' jolly family entertainment is well translated by Lionel Bart's irresistible score containing timeless classics such as Food Glorious Food, You've Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, Consider Yourself, As Long As He Needs Me and many more.

Oliver is truly a masterpiece that appeals the most because of its wonderful score and the addition of comic touch into the story. A simple story told simply has always been the winning material and it works this time too. Watch this mega presentation with your whole family as this is the hottest show in theaters. So Reserve your Oliver Tickets today and enjoy the ever-popular tale by Dickens one more time!

Oliver! is a musical based on the famous novel by Charles Dickens by the name Oliver Twist. Music and lyrics for the musical were written by Lionel Bart. In 1960, Oliver was premiered at West End. After a long run, a Broadway production was staged in1963.

The original London West End production was staged on 30th of June 1960 at New Theatre. It ran for about 2,618 performances before closing down. The production was directed by Peter Coe and choreographed by Malcolm Clare.

In 1962 Oliver was brought to the U.S. in a national tour. The musical premiered on Broadway at Imperial Theatre on 6th of January 1963. The musical ran for 774 performances before closing down. The show was revived some time after closing down as it was a national critical success. In 1977 the London production was revived for the theatres too.

Oliver the musical was adapted into a film in 1968. The film was directed by Carol Reed and screenplay was written by Vernon Harris. The motion picture was successful in winning six Academy Awards and was adapted into several drama series. The musical productions have won three Tony Awards for Best Original Score, Best Scenic Design and Best Conductor and Musical Director. It has also won one Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. If you wish to catch Oliver Twist on stage, get your Oliver tickets today!