“So long, fare thee well. Pip! Pip! Cheerio!”

Neil Morrissey will reprise his role as Fagin in Newcastle from 30th October 2012 until the end of the tour in Bristol 24th Feburay 2013. Neil Morrissey is probably best known as Tony in the hugely successful TV series Men Behaving Badly. His other TV credits include Waterloo Road, Skins, Paradise Heights and Carrie and Barry. No stranger to the stage, Neil’s West End theatre credits include Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls and A Passionate Woman. His film credits include Up ‘n’ Under.

Samantha Barks, star of the forthcoming film of Les Misérables, will also be reprising her role as Nancy in Leeds from 6th November 2012 until the end of the tour in Bristol, 24th February 2013*. Samantha Barks trained at the Arts Educational school for a year before entering “I’d Do Anything”, the BBC search for the new ‘Nancy’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver! where she finished in the top three. Following “I’d Do Anything” she took part in the workshop for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Love Never Dies”. Samantha made her stage debut as ‘Sally Bowles’ in the national tour of “Cabaret”, before taking the classic role of ‘Aladdin’ in “Aladdin” at the Theatre Royal Windsor. Last year Samantha made her West End debut in the role of ‘Eponine’ in “Les Misérables”, and played the role again in the “Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert” at The O2 and in the forthcoming Cameron Mackintosh film of the hit West End musical. Television credits include the lead role of ‘Zoe’ in the Disney TV series “Groove High”.

*Cat Simmons will play the role of Nancy between 21 Nov – 8 Dec 2012.

“Consider yourself brimming over with foot-stomping joy”
South Wales Argus

***** “The greatest production of Oliver! you will ever see”
Manchester Evening News

***** “Remarkable! A terrific show that has people on their feet and asking for more!”
Birmingham Mail

“A Cameron Mackintosh sensation of epic proportions – this is off the scale…a real treat for the senses”
Southern Daily Echo

***** “A glorious smash hit. Vibrant, energetic, comical and fun!”
Edinburgh Evening News

To read more reviews head to our “Reviews” section, or click here.

Boys  must be strictly under 5 foot tall, aged between 7 and 13, all nationalities and able to sing and move well. They must have unbroken voices.

If you are interested please email jo.hawes@virgin.net. Please include the following details about your child – name, age, height and venue in which you wish to audition. It is not necessary to have performed before or to have an agent.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Cat and Brian will play the roles until the end of the Birmingham run on 21 April.  Neil and Samantha will play the roles from 13 March – 1 April.

Samantha Barks leaves Oliver! to start filming on the Les Misérables film where she will be playing the role of ‘Eponine’

Cat’s theatre credits include the leading role of ‘Mary Magdalene’ in the recent tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Her West End credits include Whistle Down the Wind and Fame. She also appeared in the Young Vic’s sell out production of Simply Heavenly and the Old Vic’s production of Aladdin opposite Ian McKellen. She is probably best known for her regular role as ‘DC Kezia Walker’ in the long running ITV drama The Bill.

Samantha, who is winning rave reviews for her portrayal of Nancy in Oliver!, will star alongside Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne.

Reacting to the news she said: “I can’t believe I’m going to play Eponine, a role so close to my heart, a role I played in the West End. It’s the happiest moment of my life. The moment I found out I started to shake and then I started crying. I’m still shaking now.”

“Knockout songs, spectacular dance numbers and lavish sets Neil Morrissey steals the show, Samantha Barks is a standout –  the whole evening is a thrill – a Dickens of a good show”

Manchester Evening News

“A fantastic production – an utter treat for the senses.  A true musical must see. Samantha Barks a true musical superstar of the future”

Lancashire Telegraph.

“A huge hit – bursting with hummable songs, wonderful roof- raising choreography. A show that even miserly Fagin would fork out to see”   

Sale & Altrincham Messenger

Lauded as “Lionel Bart’s musical masterpiece” by The Sunday Times, the Manchester Evening News also described the show as “the greatest production of Oliver! you will ever see”. Real Radio said: “The whole cast were truly fantastic. 10/10 without doubt” and Theatre in Wales praised Samantha Barks as Nancy, describing her portrayal as “a performance of theatrical joy”.

You can read other reviews via the links below:

Western Mail

South Wales Argus

South Wales Evening Post

As the tour makes its way across the UK and Ireland, keep checking back for more!

Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Lionel Bart’s smash hit music Oliver! – opening in Cardiff December 2011

Cameron Mackintosh, in association with Southbrook Group Limited and Stage Entertainment UK, are delighted to announce the full casting for the national tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Lionel Bart’s smash hit musical Oliver!, opening at Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff on 20 December 2011, with previews from 10 December 2011.

Samantha Barks will star as ‘Nancy’, Iain Fletcher as ‘Bill Sikes’, Jack Edwards as ‘Mr Bumble’, Suzie Chard as ‘Widow Corney’, Stephen Moore as ‘Mr Brownlow’, David Langham as ’Mr Sowerberry’, C J Johnson as ‘Mrs Sowerberry’, Stevie Hutchinson as ‘Noah Claypole’, Emma Dukes as ‘Bet’ and Victoria Hay as ‘Charlotte’. They join the previously announced Neil Morrissey and Brian Conley, who will both play the role of ‘Fagin’ at different venues (casting per venue detailed below). Samantha Barks will play the role of ‘Nancy’ until the end of the Edinburgh run. Further casting for the role to be announced.

Samantha Barks trained at the Arts Educational school for a year before entering “I’d Do Anything”, the BBC search for the new ‘Nancy’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver! where she finished in the top three. Following “I’d Do Anything” she took part in the workshop for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Love Never Dies”. Samantha made her stage debut as ‘Sally Bowles’ in the national tour of “Cabaret”, before taking the classic role of ‘Aladdin’ in “Aladdin” at the Theatre Royal Windsor. Last year Samantha made her West End debut in the role of ‘Eponine’ in “Les Misérables”, and played the role again in the “Les Misérables 25^th Anniversary Concert” at The O2. Television credits include the lead role of ‘Zoe’ in the Disney TV series “Groove High”.

Iain Fletcher is probably best known as ‘DC Rodney Skase’ in the long-running TV series “The Bill”, a role which he played for 9 years. Other television credits include “Casualty”, “Murphy’s Law”, “Doctors”, “Family Affairs” and “Band of Brothers”. Theatre credits include ‘The King’ in “The Three Musketeers” at Rose Theatre Kingston, and ‘Sam Carmichael’ in “Mamma Mia!” in theWest End.

Jack Edwards most recently played the role of ‘Allardyce’ in “Betty Blue Eyes” at the Novello Theatre. Other West End credits include “Sweet Charity” at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and “Guys and Dolls” at the Piccadilly Theatre. Suzie Chard’s stage credits include “The Sleeping Beauty” at Theatre Royal Norwich and “Scrooge” at the Southampton Mayflower. Stephen Moore’s theatre credits include playing ‘Mr Brownlow’ in “Oliver!” at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, ‘Hector’ in “The History Boys” in the West End, and Colonel Pickering in the UK Tour of “My Fair Lady”. His many television credits include “Foyle’s War”, “Mersey Beat” and “The Queen’s Nose”, and film credits include “The Boat that Rocked”, “A Christmas Carol” and “Brassed Off”.

David Langham’s stage credits include the recent UK and International Tour of “Spamalot” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” at the Chichester Festival Theatre. C J Johnson has recently appeared in “The Three Musketeers” at the Rose Theatre Kingston and “Lend Me a Tenor” at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. West End credits include “Piaf”, “Rent” and “The Woman in White”. Stevie Hutchinson’s West End credits include “Billy Elliot”, “Hairspray” and “High School Musical”. Emma Dukes’ recent roles include ‘Penny Pingleton’ in the UK Tour of “Hairspray” and ‘Kelsi’ in the UK Tour of “High School Musical 2”. West End credits include covering and played the roles of ‘Eponine’ and ‘Cosette’ in “Les Misérables”. Victoria Hay most recently appeared in “Betty Blue Eyes” at the Novello Theatre. Other recent credits include the UK Tours of “The Witches of Eastwick” and “Oklahoma!”.

The company also includes Lincoln Hudson, James Gant, Hadrian Delacey, Joe Maxwell, Kade Ferraiolo, Lee Dillon-Stuart, Matt Harrop, Ryan O’Gorman, Annie Wensak, Kara Lane, Claire Parrish, Alison Connell, Sophie Caton, Beth Davies, Mikaela Newton, Paul Farrell, Nicholas Duncan, Sarah Cortez, and Mary Fox.

The sensational score of Oliver! is full of Lionel Bart’s irresistible songs including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I’d Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah and As Long As He Needs Me.

Oliver! recently completed a two year run at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London where it opened to rave reviews, sell-out business and the biggest advance sales of all time for a West End show. Last year, Oliver! celebrated its 50^th birthday, having premiered in theWest End in 1960.

For further tour information, please click here

The Times 2, Monday 20 July 2009

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