Oliver! is a British musical, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Premiering in London's West End in 1960, a Broadway production was mounted in 1963 and an Academy Award-winning film adaptation followed in 1968. The show has been revived on numerous occasions, and is a staple among regional, community and high school theatres.

Many of the songs from the musical have become classics. One such number, "Consider Yourself," has been performed on multiple occasions, including performances on Sesame Street and The Muppet Show.

References

• In the fourth season Muppet Babies episode "Invasion of the Muppet Snackers," footage of Harry Secombe as Mr. Bumble was used, in a sequence in which the babies line up for gruel in an Oliver!-style workhouse/orphanage. When Baby Piggy complains about the nasty food, Secombe appears briefly, aghast at her remark.

• When Oliver wants more food, Baby Bear imitates him by saying, "Please, sir, I want some more!"

• In The Muppet Christmas Carol in the middle of the song Scrooge a rat (in imitation of Oliver) says "Please sir, I want some cheese".

• In Grover's 140 character speech for the Shorty Awards, one of them is Oliver Twist.

Connections

• Rowan Atkinson played Fagin in the 2009 London revival
• Louise Gold played Mrs. Sowerberry and Mrs Bedwin in the 2009 London revival
• Barry Humphries originated the role of Mr. Sowerberry in the 1963 Broadway production
• Oswald Morris was the cinematographer for the 1968 film adaptation
• Jonathan Pryce played Fagin in the 1994 London revival
• Griff Rhys Jones played Fagin (after Atkinson) in the 2009 London revival
• Clive Revill originated the role of Fagin in the 1963 Broadway production

External links

• Internet Broadway Database listings
• IMDb for the 1968 film adaptation