Oliver!

Oliver! is a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ famous novel “Oliver Twist”. It tells the story of a young orphan boy who is forced to survive the harsh realities of 19th century London. However, this article is not about the gloomy story of Oliver Twist, but rather the hilariously disastrous production of the musical adaptation.

The original West End production of Oliver! opened in 1960 and became an instant hit. It was later adapted for Broadway in 1963, where it also became a huge success. However, it was not all smooth sailing for the production team.

The first issue arose during the production’s pre-Broadway tour. During a performance in Boston, one of the young actors playing Oliver was struck by a particularly enthusiastic audience member. The child actor was replaced by a mop with a hat on top for the remainder of the performance.

Things only got worse during the Broadway premiere. The actor playing Fagin, the infamous leader of a gang of young thieves, lost his voice after just a few performances. The production team was forced to bring in a puppet of Fagin, operated by a stagehand hidden behind a curtain, to fill in for the actor.

The costumes for the show were also a disaster. The director, Lionel Bart, had requested that the costumes be designed to appear as if they were from the 19th century. However, due to a miscommunication with the costume designer, the actors ended up dressed in full-body animal suits. The audience was left confused as to whether they were watching a musical about orphan boys or talking animals.

Despite these blunders, the show was still a hit and went on to win multiple awards, including several Tonys. Perhaps it was the charm of the young actors or the catchy tunes like “Consider Yourself” that kept the audience coming back for more.

In summary, Oliver! is a classic musical that has stood the test of time. While the production certainly had its fair share of mishaps, it only adds to the charm and humor of the show. If you ever have the chance to see a production of Oliver!, just remember to keep an eye out for the mop and the Fagin puppet.