Travel alot on Easyjet, Ryanair and any other carrier that will take us to where we want to go. Ret...
Travel alot on Easyjet, Ryanair and any other carrier that will take us to where we want to go. Retired from working a Scheme Manager and lots of knocks on door to now knocking on doors of hotels.
Member since:29.07.2007
Reviews:63
Members who trust:6
Oliver! We went to see the matinee performance Wednesday 21st Jan at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, what a show!
Just get the tube to Covent Garden, walk through the market straight out the back of the market and the theatre is right in front of you.
We paid £37-50 each for our tickets in the stalls, which I had brought back in April 08. Our seats where row Y 1 - 3. When booking it did not say that they are limited views, anyone from row W - X - Y and further back would have a job to see the top view of the set. We had to dip our heads to see what was going on on the upper level of the stage and at times quiet disappointing, the rows behind us must have found it even worse and there where another six rows behind. The problem being that the overhang from the floor above blocks out the view of the upper scene on the stage. So be aware if you are in those seats, you are limited on your view.
Oliver opens with the Food, glorious food and your eyes dart all over the stage looking, watching and just captured by the amount of boys on the stage and how they appear from nowhere. (Not give away the details). Oliver then asks for more.
Oliver is then placed for sale and the scene between Mr. Bummble and his to be wife the Widow Corney entertains on both adult and children level.
Oliver then sold to the undertaker, Sowerberry, who's performance chilling and yet kind. Oliver captures your heart with his rendition of "Where is love." Oliver, on his own, on the stage, just one small boy singing his heart out and tearing yours out.
Oliver then runs away and then the stage erupts with the Artful Dodger, what a little power house he is? Dodger commands and covers the stage and has such bountiful energy that you forget he is also only 11, worth going just to see him sing and dance.
Dodger, (known to his friends) introduces him to Fagin. Appear stage left Rowan Atkinson. You cannot get away from who he is, who he has acted as, but who he is in Oliver as Fagin is a masterpiece. Touches of Blackadder / Mr. Bean appear but he is very convincing as Fagin and sings very well "You've got to pick a pocket or two."
Nancy, Jodie Prenger, is the next appearance on stage and her rapour with the children of the gang is so obvious it shines from their faces and hers, the enjoyment on the faces is there for all to see. They sing "I'll do anything." and they do everything. I would just like to add here that I watched the TV programme and thought that Jodie was by far the best of the Nancy's and voted for her. Jodie's voice fills the auditorium and is worthy of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh's backing.
Bill Sykes, nobody should mention his name! Burn Gorman, makes his appearance and is menacing in his portrayal of Bill Sykes.
The scene with the chorus and Nancy singing "Oom-pah-pah!" is a joyous and lively scene that again has you spellbound at the energy that the cast put into the part, and twice a day on a Wednesday. I was worn out just watching them. Nancy then sings "As long as he needs me." breathtaking, soulful and poignant.
We are then taken to the house that Oliver has gone to live in and this scene is bright, light and colourful. Bright yellow dresses, balloons, acrobats and full of happiness. They sing "Who will buy my sweet red roses?" This scene brings warmth, fun and frolics to Oliver.
Fagin is back singing "I think I'd better think it out again" Wonderful. Just watch what he does with the teddy .
The end scene with Bill Sykes and Oliver on the roof tops around the chimneys is the well choreographed as is the rest of the show.
Well worth going to see, well worth the money we spent and very well done to all in the cast and production of Oliver!
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Not until now did I realise that Drury Lane is an actual place. Was there a muffin man? Great review
SweetTooth93 22.01.2009 17:18
I am going to London four weeks tomorrow and so far i'm going to see Les Miserables and Wicked (again!)...we're thinking about a third show and this is top of our list. Sounds fab..shame about your view though xx
Advantages: Great feel god show. Left me feeling happy and contented. Disadvantages: On this occassion Jodie was not in the show which was a little let down.
Advantages: Great feel god show. Left me feeling happy and contented. Disadvantages: On this occassion Jodie was not in the show which was a little let down.
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