Oliver Twist

Fagin.

Fagin was the leader of the pack of boys, and assigned the Artful Dodger to teach Oliver how to pick pockets.

It Depends Which One!

Original London productionOliver! premiered in the West End at the New Theatre (now the Noel Coward Theatre) on June 30, 1960 and ran for 2,618 performances.[2] Directed by Peter Coe, the choregrapher 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 a small comic role as Mr. Sowerberry, an 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. 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 & 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.

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 the production.[citation needed]

Original Broadway productionThe musical previewed in the U.S. with a 1962 national tour (whose cast was preserved on recording). The musical premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on January 6, 1963 and closed on November 14, 1964 after 774 performances.[3] The cast featured child actor Bruce Prochnik in the title role alongside Georgia Brown, reprising her West End role as Nancy, and Clive Revill, replacing Ron Moody, as Fagin. While the national tour had young actor Michael Goodman as The Artful Dodger, in the Broadway transfer he was replaced by a youngDavy Jones (who would appear in the role on The Ed Sullivan Show the night of The Beatles first appearance). 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. It featured Victor Stiles as Oliver, Robin Ramsay as Fagin, Maura K. Wedge as Nancy, Joey Baio as The Artful Dodger, Alan Crofootas Mr. Bumble, Danny Sewell as Bill Sikes, Bram Nossen as Mr. Brownlow, and Dodi Protero as Mrs. Bedwin. 1977 London revivalCameron Mackintosh revived Oliver! for the first time in 1977 at the Albery Theatre (the renamed New Theatre; now the Noel 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! 1983 London and Broadway revivalsMackintosh 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 designed 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.

The 1983 London revival of Oliver! transferred to Broadway in 1984. It opened at The Mark Hellinger Theater and ran from April 29, 1984 through May 13, 1984, for 17 performances and 13 previews. Ron Moody reprised the role of Fagin and Patti LuPone played Nancy. David Garlick reprised his West End performance as The Artful Dodger, the first British youngster to appear on Broadway since Davy Jones, creating the Equity Exchange Program in the process. Peter Coe directed and the Sean Kenny set was used once again. Moody was nominated for a Tony Award despite the short run. The show only received one negative review; it was from Frank Rich of the New York Times, who called the production "likely to hold the attention of only the youngest and most obedient children" and "just dull." [4] It prompted one of the main backers to pull out. The positive reviews were quoted in the ad for the show, including aClive Barnes quote: "'Oliver!' Is glorious food for Broadway".[5]

1994 London revivalA Cameron Mackintosh produced revival opened at the London Palladium in the West End on December 8, 1994. Sam Mendes directed with Anthony Ward as designer, Matthew Bourneas choreographer, Martin Koch as musical 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 Deakinas Mrs. Sowerberry. The role of Oliver was initially performed by Gregory Bradley and James Daley, while the Artful Dodger was played by Adam Searles and Paul Bailey. Later on in the run, Andrew James Michel, Jon Lee and Tom Fletcher had a stint as Oliver, and Bronson Webb played Dodger. Danielle McCormack, Rosalind James and Francesca Jackson all played the role of Bet during the run.[6] The musical closed on February 21, 1998.[7]

The role of Fagin was later played by many notable British actors/comedians, including George Layton, Russ Abbot, Jim Dale and Robert Lindsay (who won an Olivier Award for his performance). Bill Sikes was later portrayed by Steven Hartley and Joe McGann; Nancy by Sonia Swaby, Claire Moore and Ruthie Henshall. The show was a lavish affair and moved from its original intimate melodramatic feel to a cinematic and symphonic feel to accommodate an audience that was raised on the motion picture. The production was noted for featuring various new elements never before seen in any version of the show.[citation needed] These ideas came from both Sam Mendes and Lionel Bart (who added new music and lyrics to the score), both of whom "went back to Dickens' novel" for additional dialogue. Other updates include the inclusion of a prologue, in which the audience is witness to Oliver's harrowing birth. The dialogue was homage to both the 1948 and 1968 film versions of the story which were in turn based on the original novel. New dance arrangements and sequences were added toConsider Yourselfand Who Will Buy? and a new intermediate scene was added just after You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two, in which Bill Sikes enters the Thieves' Kitchen and "negotiates" with Fagin.

2009 London revivalOliver! bill board at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 2009.

A production heavily based upon the 1994 Palladium production opened in London's West End on 14 January 2009. Produced once again by Cameron Mackintosh, this revival was directed by Shakespearian-expert Rupert Goold and choreographed/co-directed by Matthew Bourne. Anthony Ward repeated his acclaimed scenic and costume designs while William David Brohn joined the team as orchestrator, revising some of the already-new musical arrangements. The new production opened to rave reviews at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, receiving positive feedback from critics throughout London.[citation needed]

Although this revival was based upon the Palladium version, the production team managed to update the look and concept of the show. Designer Anthony Ward created a new cobblestone effect for the entire stage while some of the already-revised orchestrations were expanded (with new dance arrangements given to Consider Yourself and Who Will Buy? as well as new curtain call/exit music). Also, the prologue from the Palladium production was removed and the show now opens as it originally did in 1960, with the workhouse children entering, singing Food Glorious Food.

It was announced early on that the central role of Fagin would be played by British comedian Rowan Atkinson (who had previously played the role in a school production but had turned down the role in the Palladium run) and that Burn Gorman would play Bill Sikes, making his West End musical debut. The leading roles of Nancy and Oliver were successfully cast via the BBC reality television show series I'd Do Anything. The three actors who won the role of Oliver were Laurence Jeffcoate, Harry Stott and Gwion Wyn Jones. Jodie Prenger won the role of Nancy. Following the final of I'd do Anything, Mackintosh announced that Australian actress Tamsin Carroll would share the role of Nancy with Prenger. Carroll, who had played the role in Mackintosh's Australian revival of the show in 2002, would perform two of Prenger's eight shows every week. Sarah Lark, a runner-up on I'd do Anything understudied the role. Royal Shakespeare Company actor Julian Glover played Mr. Brownlow with Julian Bleach as Mr. Sowerberry, Louise Gold as Mrs. Sowerberry, Julius D'Silva as Mr. Bumble and Wendy Ferguson as Widow Corney.

When Rowan Atkinson fell ill during the original run of the show, in April 2009, former Fagin Russ Abbot stepped in to the play the role.[8] Abbot had previously starred in the 1997 Palladium run. In July 2009, Atkinson officially left the production and fellow British comedian Omid Djalili replaced him.[9] Djalili's performance received positive reviews. In December 2009, another well-known British actor Griff Rhys Jones took over from Djalili as Fagin and Steven Hartley replaced Burn Gorman as Bill Sikes.[10] Hartley had played the role of Sikes in the 1997 Palladium production opposite Robert Lindsay.

On 27 March 2010, Jodie Prenger left the show after a run of fifteen months. Kerry Ellis replaced Prenger,[11] and received extremely positive reviews. Original cast members Julian Bleach, Julius D'Dilva and Wendy Ferguson all left the show with Prenger being replaced by Jason Morell, Christian Patterson and Claire Machin respectively. Alternate Nancy Tamsin Carroll and understudy Nancy Sarah Lark both left the show, as Mackintosh announced that Ellis would perform all eight performances per week. One of the original Olivers, Gwion Wyn Jones, returned recently for a limited engagement, playing the role twice a week. On June 12, 2010, Griff Rhys Jones left the production and on June 14 he was officially replaced by Russ Abbot. Stephen Moore also joined the cast replacing original cast member Julian Glover as Mr. Brownlow.

Oliver!, now in its second year at Drury Lane, received three 2010 Olivier Award nominations: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Atkinson) and Best Theatre Choreography, but failed to win any. It did however win three 2010 Theatregoers' Choice Awards (whatsonstage.com) for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Atkinson) and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical (Prenger) as well as nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical (Gorman) and Best Takeover Role in a Musical (Djalili).

Ron Moody, the original Fagin, joined the cast at the end of the performance dated June 14, 2010, in aid of the show's 50th Anniversary.

It has been confirmed that the production will close on January 8, 2011, to be replaced by the original London production of Shrek the Musical.[12]

Former Fagin Griff Rhys Jones will return in December 2010, replacing Russ Abbot and will stay until the end of the run.

International productions and toursIn 1983, a new production of Oliver was the first musical produced by Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theatre as part of its inaugural season as a self-producing theatre.

The Australian tour was a successful trip through Sydney, Melbourne, and Singapore from 2002 to 2004. The show, which mirrored Sam Mendes' production, was recreated by Graham Gill. John Waters (the actor, not to be confused with John Waters, the director) portrayed Fagin, Tamsin Carroll was Nancy, and the production also featured Stuart Wagstaff, Steve Bastoni and Madison Orr and Keegan Joyce in the title role, which was rotated between the two. The role of the Artful Dodger was shared between Matthew Waters and Tim Matthews.

A North American tour began in 2003, produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Networks. It ran till March 2005 and played most major theatrical venues in the U.S. and one in Canada. The show was directed by the London team which managed the Sam Mendes version in London and the Australian tour, with Graham Gill as director.[13] The cast included Mark McCracken as Fagin, Renata Renee Wilson as Nancy, and Justin S. Pereira Oliver Twist.[14] In October 2008 Columbia Artists Theatricals mounted a new North American National tour directed by Clayton Philips. The production toured until March 2009.

The first Estonian production of the show was presented in the early 1990s in Tartu. A revival ran in November--December 2003 with Aivar Tommingas as Fagin and Evelin Samuel as Nancy. The musical was performed also twice in Israel in 1966 and 2008 starring Shraga Fridman and Rivka Raz in the first production and Sasson Gabai and Anya Bukshtein in the second.

In December 2010 a Dutch language version of the musical opened in Gent, Belgium, to be transferred at the end of the same month to Antwerp.
Fagin? There's been a few:

Alec Guinness

Ron Moody

Ben Kingsley

Clive Revill