Gielgud Theatre — Attraction in London

I don’t know where to start here and it grieves me to write in these terms as I really love this musical classic. I’m in the profession myself and have seen countless productions both amateur and professional. Sadly, this incarnation is not the classic tale I know and love. The cast are resting on their laurels having been lauded to the rafters since the show was first presented at Chichester. They now assume that whatever they do, the public will applaud. It’s become lazy and this member of the audience wasn’t impressed. There were some decent performances but others were really irritating especially the leads who thought they were better than they were and appeared arrogant and self-satisfied. It was as if they were acting in their own separate bubbles and not part of a company. Simon Lipkin as Fagin does his own schtick but he’s divorced from the character he’s supposed to be portraying & whilst the actor believes he’s immensely watchable, the reality is he isn’t but is frankly irritating. (He comes from the Sylvia Young stable which may explain this misguided exuberance.) The actor portraying The Artful Dodger was too old for the role & was unbelievably self-satisfied in his presentation to the extent that he was unwatchable. I got fed up with his contant smile. The young actor playing the title role of Oliver was ok but not as earth-shattering as the notices claim. There was unnecessary coarseness in some of the scenes with raunchy language and performances which grated badly. I don’t object to English bawdiness but it has no place in this delightful show. The scene between Mr Bumble and Widow Corney was a case in point - sexually filthy and out of step with the heart of the show. The best performance came from the actor playing Mr Sowerberry who was channeling The Childcatcher from ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and was very watchable. Overall the production was a massive disappointment as, having read the glowing notices, I was eagerly looking forward to seeing it and wanted to relish it but my wife and I walked out at the interval - inwardly fuming at this missed...

I attended Oliver! at the on July 31 and there was a severely disabled man making a lot of noise and disruption.

The manager claimed he was unable legally to have the man removed due to the fact that he could not help making these noises. But someone else informed me that this is a special program the theater has for disabled patrons. In spirit this is great! However they mentioned that it's like gambling because you don't know if one of the disabled patrons will have some kind of issue where they cannot sit and enjoy the performance quietly. Regardless of if the disruption is intentional/malicious or not - the effect on other patrons is the same.

Other theaters I have been to have special performances for audiences who might be disruptive (such as groups of school children on field trips) and I think that makes a lot more sense.

I loved the play (when I was able to pay attention to it) and the venue - everyone was very nice, the production was incredible. It's clear this theater cares a lot about getting this stuff right. Why introduce an uncontrollable variable like this into the experience when it can absolutely ruin things?

I unfortunately cannot say I would return to this theater or recommend others to do so because of this, though I would enthusiastically return if this was changed. It really marred what would have otherwise been an...

Phenomenal performance. Billy Jenkins (Dodger) and Simon Lipkin (Fagin) completely made this performance. I cannot imagine this show without these two. They completely embodied everything that Jack Wild and Ron Moody gave in the original film. Completely enveloped me, and everyone else I was with. If I could give awards within the theatre world they deserve everyone possible.

Shanay Holmes (Nancy) (wonderful, powerful voice) and Aaron Sidwell (Sykes) were also very good in their parts. Making the characters their own entirely.

Production, ensemble, conductor, orchestra (the first violin in particular) were outstanding. The whole show was just so amazing.

If I had one criticism, I believe the Oliver we watched was “too much”. Oliver should be almost meek and quiet whereas this boy, from his voice and attitude was, as Steve Wright would say, a little ‘over produced’. He is a great little actor but I personally felt the role wasn’t for him. It didn’t ruin it for me, but would like to return with a different lead. Luck of the draw.

But amazing production. Worth every penny you spend there. Book your tickets now.

We were in row c, stalls, to the far right. Stage view was great. Would probably pay more for a more central...