The History of Oliver! | A Look at the History of One of the Most Famous Musicals Ever

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The History of Oliver! - Now check out how the legend began!

The musical Oliver! first appeared on the West End stage in 1960 at The New Theatre, Westminster. With the book, lyrics and score all by composer Lionel Bart, the musical is often seen as his crowning achievement. Not only was Bart recognised for his work with a Tony Award for Best Composer and Lyricist for the original stage show, but the film version of Oliver! was awarded the Oscar for Best Picture 8 years later.

Based heavily on the timeless novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, Bart's plot and songs have so ingrained themselves within popular culture that references to the musical can be found all over the place. What's more, the success of the original production managed to help launch the careers of many of today's most respected actors and musicians. Phil Collins, Tony Robinson and Davy Jones were all regulars in the initial line up as well as it providing a small role for Australian comic Barry Humphries (better known these days of course for his alter-ego Dame Edna Everage).

The 1968 film version is one of the most successful film musicals of all time but there are a few notable differences between it and the stage version. For example, several songs from the original score do not make it into the film and the ending is slightly altered. Despite these differences, a number of the original cast were used in the film. Most notably Ron Moody, the actor who plays Fagin, carried his role over to the big screen and even went on to lead the 1984 revival of the stage show on Broadway.

Apart from the original stage run in the West End and the Broadway revival, Bart's Oliver! has gone on to complete successful stretches in both Australasia and Eastern Europe. And now, the timeless musical is set to embark on another West End run in the wake of BBC's new talent show I'd Do Anything. Currently airing on Saturday evenings, the programme is designed to cast the roles of both Nancy and Oliver in the new production scheduled to play at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane later in the year.

Interesting Facts

The 1994 West End revival was directed by Hollywood heavyweight Sam Mendes
The Song "Food, Glorious Food" has appeared in, amongst others, the soundtrack for Ice Age 2 and the latest McCaine Oven Chips advert.
Former Monkee Davy Jones appeared as Oliver on the Ed Sullivan Show the same night the Beatles made their legendary breakthrough performance
The hip-hop star Jaz-Z made use of the Song "I'd Do Anything" in his song "Anything".

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The History Of Oliver