Oliver! - three chosen for the title role
Story by Lizzie Guilfoyle
THIS WEEKEND, the winners of the competition to find three young boys to alternate in the title role of Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of Oliver! were announced.
They are 11 year-old Gwion from Carmarthenshire, 12 year-old Harry from Oxfordshire, and 11 year-old Laurence from Cheshire.
From the thousands of young hopefuls who auditioned for the chance to compete in BBC’s I’d Do Anything, 50 were chosen to train with musical theatre experts. Finally, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh selected just 12 to appear in the live broadcasts.
Unlike the would-be Nancys, the boys didn’t face a public vote although they were required to impress Lloyd Webber and Mackintosh each week with individual tasks and group performances.
Commenting on the choice, Lloyd Webber said: “Cameron and I agree we have three very different Olivers, but I think it’s a great result and I think whichever Oliver you go and see, you’re going to get a fantastic performance.”
And Mackintosh added: “The talent we have unearthed has been terrific.”
Meanwhile, in the hunt for Nancy, 18 year-old Jessie from County Kerry, 28 year-old Jodie from Blackpool and 17 year-old Samantha from the Isle of Man are through to the live final which will be broadcast next Saturday, May, 31, 2008.
Oliver! opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on January 14, 2009 (previews from December 12, 2008) with Rowan Atkinson in the role of Fagin.