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Oliver! is an English musical, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.
It premiered in the West End in 1960, enjoying a long run, and successful long runs on Broadway, tours and revivals, after being brought to the US by producer David Merrick in 1963. It was made into a musical film in 1968. Major London revivals played from 1977–80, 1994–98, 2008–11 and on tour in the UK from 2011-13.
Oliver! was the first musical adaptation of a famous Charles Dickens work to become a stage hit. There had been two previous Dickens musicals in the 1950s, both of them television adaptations of A Christmas Carol. The plot of Dickens’ original novel is considerably simplified for the purposes of the musical, with Fagin being represented more as a comic character than as a villain, and large portions of the latter part of the story being completely left out. (It may well be that Bart based his musical on David Lean’s film, rather than Dickens’ book.) Although Dickens’ novel has been called antisemitic in its portrayal of the Jew Fagin as evil, the production by Bart (himself a Jew) was more sympathetic and featured many Jewish actors in leading roles: Ron Moody (Ronald Moodnik), Georgia Brown (Lilian Klot), and Martin Horsey.[citation needed]
The musical opens in the workhouse, as the half-starved orphan boys are entering the enormous dining room for dinner . They are fed only gruel, but find some solace by imagining a richer menu, (“Food Glorious Food”). Oliver gathers up the courage to ask for more. He is immediately apprehended and is told to gather his belongings by Mr. Bumble and the Widow Corney, the heartless and greedy caretakers of the workhouse (“Oliver!”). Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney are left alone, and Mr. Bumble begins to make amorous advances. Mrs. Corney pretends to resent his attentions, but ends up on Mr. Bumble’s lap, as he eventually proposes to her, (“I Shall Scream!”) Oliver is sold (“Boy for Sale”) and apprenticed to an undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry. He and his wife taunt Oliver and Mr. Bumble (“That’s Your Funeral”), causing Mr. Bumble to become angry and storm out. Oliver is sent to sleep in the basement with the coffins ,Oliver twist karaoke instrumental version 2
The next morning Noah Claypole, another employee of Sowerberry, insults Oliver’s dead mother, whereupon Oliver begins pummeling him. Mrs. Sowerberry and her maid, Charlotte, also Noah’s girlfriend, run in, and Mr. Bumble is sent for. He and the Sowerberrys lock Oliver in a coffin, but during all the commotion Oliver escapes. After a week on the run, he ends up in the city of London and meets a boy about his age known as the Artful Dodger. The Dodger seems a kindly boy, and invites Oliver to join him and his friends, (“Consider Yourself”). Dodger is, unknown to Oliver, a boy pickpocket, and he invites Oliver to come and live in Fagin’s lair. Fagin is an elderly criminal, now too old to thieve himself, who now teaches young boys to pick pockets. Oliver is completely unaware of any criminality, and believes that the boys make handkerchiefs rather than steal them. Oliver is introduced to Fagin and his boys, and is taught their ways (“You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two”).
The next day, Oliver meets Nancy, an older member of Fagin’s gang, and the live-in wife of Fagin’s terrifying associate Bill Sikes, a brutal house-burglar whose abuse she endures because she loves him. Nancy, along with her younger sister Bet and the boys, sing about how they don’t mind a bit of danger (“It’s a Fine Life”). Oliver bows deeply to Nancy and Bet, trying to be polite. All the boys laugh and mimic Oliver. Nancy singles out Dodger to demonstrate the way the rich people treat each other (“I’d Do Anything”). Nancy and Bet leave and Oliver is sent out with the other boys on his first pickpocketing job (“Be Back Soon”). Dodger, another boy named Charley Bates, and Oliver decide to stick together, and when Dodger and Charley rob Mr. Brownlow, a wealthy old man, they run off, leaving the horrified Oliver to be arrested for the crime (“The Robbery”). The following scene from the book, which is included in the 1968 film, shows how Oliver is found guilty, though Mr. Brownlow suspects he may be innocent, but fortunately another gentleman who witnessed the robbery arrives and clears his name. This scene is not shown, but simply alluded to in the stage play.Oliver twist karaoke instrumental version 2
The Broadway version of Oliver! at the Imperial Theatre
In the Three Cripples pub, to help take her mind off of Sikes’s neglect towards her, Nancy strikes up an old tavern song with the low life roughens, (“Oom Pah Pah”). Bill Sikes makes his first appearance, and disperses the crowd (“My Name”). Dodger runs in and tells Fagin about Oliver’s capture and removal to the Brownlow household. Scared he will betray the gang’s whereabouts, Fagin and Bill decide to abduct Oliver and bring him back to the workhouse, with Nancy’s help. Nancy, who has come to care for Oliver, at first refuses to help, but Bill physically abuses her and forces her into obedience. In spite of this, Nancy still loves Bill, and believes he loves her too (“As Long As He Needs Me”).
The next morning, at Mr. Brownlow’s house in Bloomsbury, Mrs. Bedwin the housekeeper sings to Oliver (“Where Is Love? [Reprise]”), and Oliver wakes up. Mr. Brownlow and Dr. Grimwig discuss Oliver’s condition. They decide that he is well enough to go outside, and so Brownlow sends Oliver to return some books to the library. Oliver sees a group of street vendors and joins them in song (“Who Will Buy?”). As the vendors leave, Nancy and Bill appear and grab Oliver. They bring him back to Fagin’s den, where Nancy saves Oliver from a beating from Sikes after the boy tries to flee. Nancy remorsefully reviews their dreadful life, but Bill maintains that any living is better than none. Fagin tries to act as an intermediary (“It’s A Fine Life [Reprise]”). Left alone, Fagin wonders what his life might be like if he left London and began an honest life (“Reviewing the Situation”), however, after thinking of various excuses, he elects to remain a thief.
Back at the workhouse, Mr. Bumble and the Widow Corney, now unhappily married, meet the dying pauper Old Sally and another old lady, who tell them that Oliver’s mother, Agnes, left a gold locket when she died in childbirth. Old Sally stole the locket, which she gives to the Widow Corney. Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney, realizing that Oliver may have wealthy relatives, visit Mr. Brownlow, who has advertised in newspapers for news of him, hoping to profit from any reward given for information (“Oliver! [Reprise]”). Mr. Brownlow realises they are not interested in Oliver’s welfare, but only money, and throws them out, but recognizes the picture inside the locket as a picture of his daughter, and realizes that Oliver is actually his grandson. Nancy visits Mr. Brownlow, explains how she and Bill abducted Oliver, and remorsefully promises to deliver Oliver to him safely that night on London Bridge. She ponders again about Bill (“As Long As He Needs Me [Reprise]”). The famous scene from the book where Oliver is made to assist Bill and some of his associates on a job is omitted from the play, but is included in the 1968 film. Suspecting that Nancy is up to something, Bill follows her as she sneaks Oliver out of Fagin’s den. At London Bridge, he confronts them, knocks Oliver unconscious, and clubs Nancy to death. He then grabs Oliver and runs off. Mr. Brownlow arrives and discovers Nancy’s body. A large crowd forms, among them the distraught Bet. Bullseye, Bill’s terrier, turns on his master and returns to the scene of the crime and the crowd prepares to follow him to the hideout. Fagin and his boys leave their hideout in panic. Not finding Bill at the hideout, the crowd returns to the Thames Embankment. Bill appears at the top of the bridge, holding Oliver as hostage and threatening to kill him. Two policemen sneak up on him. One of them shoots Bill and the other grabs Oliver. Oliver is reunited with Mr. Brownlow. The mob disperses offstage in order to track down Fagin. He appears and decides that the time has never looked better for him to straighten out his life. (In some versions, the alternative ending of the film adaptation is used in which he meets the Artful Dodger and they decide to continue their life of crime)(“Reviewing the Situation [Reprise]”).
Oliver! premiered in the West End at the New Theatre (now the Noël Coward Theatre) on 30 June 1960 and ran for 2,618 performances. Directed by Peter Coe, the choreographer was Malcolm Clare and costumes and scenery were by Sean Kenny. The original cast featured Ron Moody as Fagin, Georgia Brown as Nancy, and Barry Humphries in the supporting role of Mr. Sowerberry, the undertaker. Keith Hamshere (the original Oliver) is now a Hollywood still photographer (Star Wars etc.); Martin Horsey (the original Dodger) works as an actor/director and is the author of the play L’Chaim. Other boys alternated in the juvenile leads, including Davy Jones as the Artful Dodger. The cast also included Tony Robinson as one of the Workhouse boys/Fagin’s Gang, and John Bluthal (now best known as The Vicar of Dibley’s Frank Pickle) as Fagin. Former professional boxer Danny Sewell (brother of television actor George Sewell) was the original Bill Sikes, and remained in the role (including the original Broadway and US touring productions) for the best part of six years. Danny Sewell’s main competitor at audition for the role of Sikes was Michael Caine, who later stated he “cried for a week” after failing to secure the part.Oliver twist karaoke instrumental version 2
The part of Nancy was originally written for Alma Cogan, who despite being unable to commit to the production, steered a great many producers to invest in it.[citation needed]
In the U.S., the musical previewed beginning in Los Angeles with Edwin Lester’s L.A (and San Francisco) Civic Light Opera Association, as a 1962 national tour. The Sean Kenny sets were duplicated. The sets built in London were shipped by sea and delivered to the Port of San Pedro,[citation needed] with the actual stage brick wall London mural painted as a scenic backing. Sean Kenny’s design concept eliminated a house curtain, exposing the turntable stage set, the open lighting pipes rigged with lamp fixtures, electric cables, and an open loft to the arriving audience. The turntable, scenic set and elements duplicated the original garish stylistic “wood grained” painted finish. With lighting, the set was intended to take on each specific color mood and change atmosphere.[citation needed] Edwin Lester hated the set’s paint job,[citation needed] ordering his scenic shop manager Phil Raiguel to send scenic artists to glaze down the red, green, blue, yellow, orange grain finish. During the companies rehearsal prior to that evenings’ 8 pm premiere audience, the two scenic artists (Wally Reid and Hub Braden) glazed over the scenery while the cast rehearsed on the turntable stair platform and bridge units.[citation needed] The scenic artists continued painting/glazing while the cast took their meal break prior to the overture. As the audience was seated, the open-to-view stage set painting continued, with the two scenic artists still painting and glazing as the musical was performed;[citation needed] continuing during the intermission, through the second act performance, and taking curtain calls with the company.[citation needed] Remaining on stage afterwards, the two continued their glazing throughout the night, finishing the set’s repainting the following day at noon.[citation needed] Reviews noted that the stage direction included “two London house painters” atmosphere performance, later questioning where and why the house painters had been eliminated after the show’s opening night .
David Merrick brought “Oliver” to the Broadway stage, where it premiered at the Imperial Theater on January 6, 1963. It closed on November 14, 1964, after 774 performances.The cast featured child actor Bruce Prochnik in the title role alongside Georgia Brown, reprising her West End role as Nancy, and Clive Revill as Fagin, replacing Ron Moody. The national tour featured Michael Goodman as The Artful Dodger, but on Broadway the role was played by future Monkee Davy Jones, another veteran of the London production. The Broadway production was a critical success and received ten Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical and Best Featured Actor in a Musical. It won the awards for Best Scenic Design, Best Original Score and Best Music Direction. The Broadway production was revived shortly after the original production closed. The revival opened in 1965 and was directed by Peter Coe. It ran at the Martin Beck Theatre for 64 performances, featuring Victor Stiles as Oliver, Robin Ramsay as Fagin, Maura K. Wedge as Nancy, Joey Baio as The Artful Dodger, Dominic Chianese as Mr. Sowerberry, Alan Crofoot as Mr. Bumble, Danny Sewell as Bill Sikes, Bram Nossen as Mr. Brownlow, and Dodi Protero as Mrs. Bedwin.
Georgia Brown, Davy Jones, and Clive Revill appeared performing two musical numbers from Oliver! (“I’d Do Anything” and the Act II reprise of “As Long As He Needs Me”) on The Ed Sullivan Show on the evening of February 9, 1964, the same evening that the Beatles made their first U.S. television appearance on that show.
Cameron Mackintosh revived Oliver! in London for the first time in 1977. It played at the Albery Theatre (the renamed New Theatre; now the Noël Coward Theatre), starring Roy Hudd as Fagin, which ran for over two years. This production was totally faithful to the 1960 original version, using Sean Kenny’s set. Indeed, the original production’s sepia background painted on the rear stage wall was still extant.
Mackintosh was asked to revive the show yet again in 1983 for a limited five-week Christmas season at the Aldwych Theatre, directed by Peter Coe. Ron Moody returned as Fagin, with Jackie Marks as Nancy, Linal Haft as Bill Sikes, Meg Johnson as Mrs Corney, Peter Bayliss as Mr Bumble, and Geoffrey Toone as Mr Brownlow. Oliver was played by Anthony Pearson, and the Artful Dodger by David Garlick. The original Sean Kenny sets were used. The last professional production to use Sean Kenny’s original stage design was at the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, Essex, in 1986. This production starred Victor Spinetti as Fagin.
Cameron Mackintosh produced another revival of the show which opened at the London Palladium in the West End on 8 December 1994. The production team included a young Sam Mendes as director, with Anthony Ward as designer, Matthew Bourne as choreographer, Martin Koch as music supervisor and William David Brohn as orchestrator. The cast included Jonathan Pryce (after much persuasion) as Fagin, Sally Dexter as Nancy, Miles Anderson as Bill Sikes, James Villiers as Mr. Brownlow, James Saxon as Mr. Bumble, Jenny Galloway as Widow Corney, David Delve as Mr. Sowerberry and Julia Deakin as Mrs. Sowerberry. The role of Oliver was played by numerous child actors during the run of four years, including Gregory Bradley, James Daley, Ben Reynolds Andrew James Michel, Jon Lee, Steven Webb, Justin Girdler, Steven Geller, Lee Honey-Jones, Brian O’Sullivan, James Bourne and Tom Fletcher, while the Artful Dodger was played by Adam Searles, Paul Bailey and Bronson Webb. The role of Bet was played by Danielle McCormack, Rosalind James, Francesca Jackson and Lindsey Fawcett. The musical closed on 21 February 1998.[8] The role of Fagin was later played by many notable British actors and comedians including George Layton, Russ Abbot, Jim Dale and Robert Lindsay (who won an Olivier Award for his performance in 1997). Bill Sikes was later portrayed by Steven Hartley and Joe McGann, and Nancy by Sonia Swaby, Claire Moore and Ruthie Henshall.