Oliver! Musical Lyrics

Oliver! Lyrics

Oliver! musical description

The author of the musical – L. Bart. Premiere was held in June 1960 at London's New Theatre. In January 1970, the musical was removed from the display. It survived through 2618 performances. Director – P. Coe, choreographer – M. Clare. The spectacular involved: K. Hamshere, R. Moody, G. Brown, M. Horsey, B. Humphries, D. Sewell. In 1962 in the USA has started the tour. The Broadway show was held from January 1963 to November 1964 at the Imperial & Shubert Theatres. It ran for 774 appearances. Director was P. Coe. The musical had cast: G. Brown, J. Call, C. Revill, W. Goddard, H. Jackman, B. Humphries, D. Jones, G. Lumb, D. Sewell & B. Prochnik. In 1965, at the Martin Beck Theatre, it was directed again by P. Coe. It survived for 64 performances. In the show were involved: V. Stiles, R. Ramsay, M. K. Wedge, J. Baio, D. Chianese, A. Crofoot, D. Sewell, B. Nossen & D. Protero.

In 1977 on the stage of London's Albery Theatre, there was a demonstration of the original production. It has been in the theater for 2 years. In 1983, the musical was shown in Aldwych Theatre, Directed by P. Coe. The histrionics had such cast: R. Moody, J. Marks, L. Haft, M. Johnson, P. Bayliss, G. Toone, A. Pearson & D. Garlick. In 1984, the London version took place on Broadway in the Mark Hellinger Theater. In 1994 and in 2009 it was in London Palladium (Directed by Sam Mendes – the guy who shoot American Beauty with Kevin Spacey & Mena Suvari and the latter has not been remarkable since this role) and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (directors – R. Goold & M. Bourne). In 2011, began British tour performances. It lasted 2 years. The play was nominated for several awards and won some: Outer Critics Circle, Tony, Laurence Olivier, Gold Mask.

In 2002-2004, it was in the Australian tour and saw the Melbourne’s & Sydney’s audiences. This play was also shown in Singapore. The tour had cast: J. Waters, T. Carroll, S. Wagstaff, S. Bastoni, M. Orr, K. Joyce, M. Waters & T. Matthews. In 2003, began the North American national tour. It lasted almost 2 years. In October 2008, began another American tour. It was completed in March 2009. The tour director was C. Philips. At the beginning of the 1990s, this production was for the first time held in Estonia. In 2003, Estonia saw the re-run with such cast: A. Tommingas & E. Samuel. In Israel, show was in 1966 & 2008. In December 2010, it went in Netherlands & Belgian Antwerp. In 2011 – in Syrian Damascus. In 2012 – in Dubai, UAE.
Release date: 1960
Last Update: March, 18th 2025

Oliver! The Musical – A Timeless Classic.

Oliver!, Oliver! The Musical lyrics — Oliver! singing the 'Oliver!' in the music video.

A Brief History.

Oliver! is a beloved musical based on Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist. Written by Lionel Bart, it first premiered in June 1960 at London's New Theatre. This production became an instant success, running for an impressive 2,618 performances before closing in 1970. Directed by Peter Coe and choreographed by Malcolm Clare, the show featured performances by Keith Hamshere, Ron Moody, Georgia Brown, and Barry Humphries.

The musical crossed the Atlantic in 1963, making its Broadway debut at the Imperial Theatre before transferring to the Shubert Theatre. The original Broadway production ran for 774 performances and starred Georgia Brown, Clive Revill, and Bruce Prochnik. A revival at the Martin Beck Theatre followed in 1965, though it only lasted 64 performances.

The 1977 London revival at the Albery Theatre kept the show alive, running for two years. Another revival in 1983 at the Aldwych Theatre featured Ron Moody reprising his role as Fagin. The show’s international popularity continued with its Broadway revival at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in 1984.

Major Revivals and Tours.

Oliver! performing Oliver! — Performance of 'Oliver!' by Oliver! in the music video.

In 1994, a grand revival at the London Palladium, directed by Sam Mendes, brought a fresh take on the classic. The 2009 revival at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, directed by Rupert Goold and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, became one of the most acclaimed productions.

The musical has seen several international tours, including:

Australian Tour (2002-2004): Performed in Melbourne, Sydney, and Singapore with a cast featuring John Waters and Tamsin Carroll.
North American Tour (2003-2005): A highly successful two-year tour.
US Tour (2008-2009): Directed by Cameron Philips.
European and Middle Eastern Productions: Estonia (1990s, 2003), Israel (1966, 2008), Netherlands and Belgium (2010), Syria (2011), and Dubai (2012).

Notable Awards and Achievements.

Oliver! has earned multiple accolades, including:

Tony Awards for Best Original Score and nominations for Best Musical.
Laurence Olivier Awards, recognizing its impact on London’s West End.
Outer Critics Circle Awards for its Broadway productions.
Golden Mask Awards for excellence in theatrical performance.

The Music of Oliver!.

The show’s unforgettable songs have stood the test of time. Notable numbers include:

Food, Glorious Food – The famous opening number sung by the workhouse boys.
Consider Yourself – A lively welcome to Oliver from the Artful Dodger.
As Long as He Needs Me – Nancy’s heartbreaking ballad about her devotion to Bill Sikes.
Who Will Buy? – A stunning ensemble piece showcasing Oliver’s longing for a better life.
You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two – Fagin’s mischievous lesson in survival.

The Legacy of Oliver!.

With its powerful themes, engaging characters, and memorable score, Oliver! remains one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Its timeless appeal continues to attract new audiences, making it a staple in both professional and amateur theatre worldwide. The show’s success in various adaptations, including the Academy Award-winning 1968 film, proves its enduring charm.

As Oliver! continues to be revived and reimagined, its impact on musical theatre history remains undeniable.

Musicals > O > Oliver! musical (1960)

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