Oliver! the Musical

A major revival of the classic Lionel Bart musical Oliver! in London starring Rowan Atkinson as 'Fagin' along with a 'Nancy' and 'Oliver' choosen by the British public via a Saturday evening BBC television programme, I'd Do Anything.

Lionel Bart's musical, based on the book by Charles Dickens, includes the songs Food Glorious Food; Consider Yourself; You've Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two; I'd Do Anything; Oom Pah Pah; As Long As He Needs Me; and many more.

The producer, Cameron Mackintosh said: "I'm thrilled that Rowan Atkinson has finally reviewed the situation and succumbed to his long-held ambition to play 'Fagin'. We have been discussing the possibility on and off for many years and to me this idea has always promised the perfect marriage of a brilliant mercurial role with a brilliant mercurial comic actor."

Please Note: Rowan Atkinson is currently scheduled to appear until the 25 July 2009, he is on holiday between 26 March and 5 April 2009.

BBC I'd Do Anything:

TO PLAY NANCY:

Amy Booth-Steel - Ashley Russell - Cleo Royer - Francesca Jackson - Jessie Buckley - Jodie Prenge - Keisha Amponsa-Banson - Niamh Perry - Rachel Tucker - Samantha Barks - Sarah Larks - Tara Bethan

TO PLAY OLIVER:

Alexander - Arthur - Chester - Gareth - Gwion - Harry - Jonny - Jordan - Joseph - Kwayedza - Laurence - Sam

This production of Oliver! in London is based on the acclaimed 1994 staging by Sam Mendes which played at The London Palladium for a triumphant 1,366 performances over three years. This revival production is been re-staged by Rupert Goold.

Rowan Atkinson, who plays 'Fagin' said: "In the 1980's I enjoyed doing a lot of West End theatre and since then have been distracted very much by Mr Bean and film making. I had been thinking for some time about returning to the stage and the idea of the role of 'Fagin', which has long intrigued me, (some time ago I even played the role in a school production), seemed like too good an opportunity to miss."

This production of Oliver at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane promises to be even more spectacular than ever before as Cameron Mackintosh explains: "This time around, still based on Sam's original, the production is being directed by one of Britain's most exciting new directors, recent Olivier award-winner Rupert Goold. He, along with co-director and choreographer Matthew Bourne and designer Anthony Ward will be making full spectacular use of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane's majestic stage, which is almost twice the size of the Palladium. For this production I will be having a cast and orchestra of over 100, including an exciting new 'Nancy' and 'Oliver', who Andrew Lloyd Webber and BBC TV's I'd Do Anything are helping us to discover."