Cameron Mackintosh's production of Oliver!, directed by Rupert Goold and Matthew Bourne and based on Mackintosh's 1994 London Palladium production that was directed by Sam Mendes, began performances at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Dec. 12, 2008, prior to an official opening Jan. 14, 2009. At its closing it will have run for over two years in all.
Its leading lady Nancy was cast for the original run by public vote on the reality TV casting show "I'd Do Anything," won by Jodie Prenger, who was joined by a cast that included Rowan Atkinson headlining as Fagin. Atkinson's fellow "Not the Nine O'Clock News" star Griff Rhys-Jones, who has previously played the role of Fagin for six months in December 2009, returned to the show to complete its final weeks, with Kerry Ellis as Nancy. Also in the current company are Steven Hartley as Bill Sikes, Stephen Moore as Mr. Brownlow, Christian Patterson as Mr. Bumble, Claire Machin as Widow Corney, Jason Morell as Mr. Sowerberry and Lousse Gold as Mrs. Sowerberry.
Onassis, starring Tony winner Robert Lindsay in the title role of the late Greek shipping magnate and husband of the widowed Jackie Kennedy, began performances at the Novello Theatre Sept. 30, prior to an official opening Oct. 12. It was originally booking through Feb. 5, 2011, so the closing is a few weeks earlier than planned. The play, originally seen at Chichester's Minerva Theatre in 2009, is directed by Nancy Meckler and also features Lydia Leonard as Jackie Kennedy and Anna Francolini as Maria Callas.
To book tickets for Oliver!, contact the box office on 0844 412 2955 or visit www.oliverthemusical.com; for Onassis, contact the box office on 0844 482 5170 or visit www.onassistheplay.com.