Oliver Cameron Mackintosh Grand Theatre Leeds

Oliver! Cameron Mackintosh spectacular Production

"Food, glorious food!
Hot sausage and mustard!
While we're in the mood -- 
Cold jelly and custard!
Peas, pudding and saveloys!
What next is the question?
Rich gentlemen have it, boys --
In-di-gestion!"

Neil Morrissey as Fagin

I am still singing the songs from last night’s fantastic performance of the Oliver, I do not know if 

'Oom-Pah-Pah' is appropriate to be humming in the School playground.

Oliver based on the novel written by Charles Dickens and brought to the stage by Lionel Bart who wrote the script, music and lyrics. 

However this is a new production by Cameron Mackintosh

With a Strong Cast including Neil Morrissey as Fagin and Samantha Barks as Nancy, you may understand my excitement when I knew I was going to see Oliver.

Today was the day I introduced my 10 year old son Jake to the wonderful world of musicals, I just could not attend this production without him. I have  grown up with the tale of Oliver Twist, on many occasions I would sit down with  my family  as a child around Christmas time, watch and sing along to this Classic.

However my son Jake had never seen Oliver and did not know what to expect but how on earth can you turn down such a marvellous opportunity to see a stage production of the show, my only worry was would this keep him entertained?

Samantha Barks as Nancy

We took our seats which had a fantastic view of the stage which is always a good start. 

The curtain drew back and the orphans sang aloud 'Food Glorious Food', the children gave there all with such strong powerful yet sweet voices that had such passion in them, you actually believed they were starving 

What a way to open, I noticed it was not just me that was enticed with the spectacular opening but as I gazed around the Theatre faces were fixated on the children's performance, people looking on in amazement at the pure surge of sound and stage presence the cast of orphans had.

The opening was so colourful with large props being effortlessly carried across stage with food on plates to entice the Orphans.

Jake loved the opening he knew a few of the songs even though he didn't know the story , Singing along at the top of his voice it was as if he wanted to get on the stage with these children and to be fair he has the floppy haircut and sweet voice to match.

Neil Morrissey played the part of Fagin extremely well, this is a difficult part as the character is loved and hated at the same time. The Children fetch their earnings from the streets of London Picking pockets to pay Fagin for their keep. You would not be able to tell Neil Morrissey was Fagin due to the make-up and clothing he wore; He also had the excellent catch phrase from Bob the Builder "Can we fix it, Yes we can". 

My son liked this as you can imagine he grew watching Bob the builder, we both were actually shocked as obviously he was performing with an accent so I didn't instantly put the two together.

My memories of Neil Morrissey were more when he played 'Rocky' from Boon.

Samantha Barks fetched the beauty as Nancy and was a huge crowd pleaser as she had such a powerful voice; I am surprised the Grand theatre still had a roof on it. I am sure no matter where you were sat you could not miss that pure power, although that was probably a good thing as I was singing as well and that could have ended the show.

One particular funny moment was when Bill Sykes a very sinister character played by Iain Fletcher was shouting at a scared Oliver telling him to 'shut up' when a young but very loud voice came back from the audience and shouted "SHUT UP" back to Bill Sykes, The cast looked understandably shocked in fact stunned and you could see it was so hard for many of them especially the younger cast to keep a straight face. This made me laugh so much. It's moments like that you will always remember. 

Iain Fletcher as Bill Sykes 

The sets throughout the whole show where simply amazing too, you genuinely could have believed you were right there in the heart of Victorian London. The way the sets changed too were very smooth and didn't distract you at all from the show.

Special effects like snow and the lighting really made you feel as if you were watching a Hollywood Production on the Television at home, well apart from wearing comfy pj's and slippers

Although the adults played their part amazingly well, it has to be said the Child actors managed to steal my heart the most. Young Oliver played by Sebastian Croft and the hilarious cheeky chappy that was the Artful dodger, the way they took to the stage and managed to illuminate with flawless performances.

  I would give anything to have half as much talent as they have at such a young age well done to you both and the rest of the children, your family must be so proud.

Overall this was a flawless production, I have tried hard and failed to find something to criticise as that's what I attend the productions for to report good and the bad. 

I was clapping away at the end to the music as the starring members of the cast took their final bows,upstanding to show the cast my appreciation.  

I ask my son to give his thoughts on the show and apart from telling me how much he really really loved it he said something that I think is completely true:

 " It is really strange even though you know the characters are played by Actors and Actresses you start to really believe what is happening to them is real life". 

I would like to finish by saying if you intend to see one show this year and if they still have tickets available make it Oliver, and be wowed throughout with the enormous amount of Talent on display.  

Cast Of Oliver with Emmerdale stars

Songs you will here during the performance are:

·  Food Glorious Food

·  Oliver!

·  I Shall Scream!

·  Boy for Sale

·  That’s Your Funeral

·  Where Is Love?

·  Consider Yourself

·  Consider Yourself (Reprise)

·  You've Got to Pick-A-Pocket or Two

·  It’s A Fine Life

·  I’d Do Anything

·  Be Back Soon

·  The Robbery

·  Oom-Pah-Pah

·  My Name!

·  As Long As He Needs Me

·  Where Is Love? (Reprise)

·  Who Will Buy?

·  It’s A Fine Life (Reprise)

·  Reviewing The Situation

·  Oliver (Reprise)

·  As Long As He Needs Me (Reprise)

·  London Bridge/The Chase

·  Reviewing The Situation (Reprise)

·  Finale

UK Trailer for Oliver the Musical Take a Look

Casting information: Samantha Barks will play Nancy until 26 November Cat Simmons will play Nancy from 27 November - 8 December  

Running Time 2 hours 36 minutes (includes 20 minute interval)

Ticket Pricing and Dates Grand Theatre Leeds Click Here

Oliver The Musical Click Here

Grand Theatre Leeds Info

Phone: 0844 848 2700

Address: 46 New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 6NZ