Theater News

Final Casting Set for London Oliver!

Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson

Final casting has been announced for Cameron Mackintosh’s upcoming West End revival of Lionel Bart’s musical Oliver!, to star Rowan Atkinson as Fagin, which will begin performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on December 12, with an official opening on January 14. The production will be directed by Rupert Goold, with co-direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne, and is based on Sam Mendes’ 1994 staging.

The roles of Nancy and Oliver have been chosen through the BBC reality series I’d Do Anything. She will be played by Jodie Prenger, who is scheduled to do only six of the show’s eight performances per week. Australian star Tamsin Carroll will be the “Alternate Nancy,” performing on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

As previously announced, Harry Stott, Gwion Jones, and Laurence Jeffcoate will rotate in the title role. The cast will also include Burn Gorman as Bill Sikes, Julian Bleach as Mr. Sowberry, Louise Gold as Mrs. Sowerberry, Rosemary Leach as Mrs. Bedwin, Julius D’Silva as Mr. Bumble and Wendy Ferguson as Widow Corney.

The cast will also feature Chris Bennett, Jay Bryce, Philip Catchpole, Matthew Clark, Mary Cormack, Hadrian Delacey, Alison Dormer, Tom Edden, Cara Elston, Susan Fay, Jenny Fitzpatrick, Lyndsey Gardiner, Ian Jervis, Robert Kershaw, Sarah Lark, Tim Laurenti, Rebecca Louis, Claire Rickard, David Roberts, Oliver Roll, Myra Sands, Charlotte Spencer, Spencer Stafford, Hollie Taylor and Lynne Wilmot.

The creative team will include Anthony Ward (production design), Paule Constable (lighting design), Paul Groothuis (sound design), William D. Brohn (orchestrations), and Martin Koch (musical supervision).

Atkinson is best known for his film and television work including Mr. Bean, Blackadder, The Tall Guy, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Love Actually.

For more information, visit www.oliverthemusical.com.

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Oliver!

Closed: January 8, 2011