Oliver - Jodie gets two extra performances on a Saturday! June 2, 2008
Posted by Linda in : I'd do anything, Musicals, Oliver, Theatre Royal, dates , 1 comment so far
** Oliver Theatre Breaks **
Jodie Prenger, winner of BBC’s I’d Do Anything, has already been given an extra two performances a week. This turns it into an almost full schedule. According to the official site:
Sickness and holiday permitting, we have decided that Jodie Prenger is scheduled to perform on Monday and Tuesday evenings, Wednesday matinees, Friday evenings and both performances on Saturday. Until the show opens in December we cannot make a final decision on any additional performances.
So someone clearly has confidence in Jodie’s ability to cope, despite what might have have been said during the show. There’s been a huge outcry about the small number of performances initially allotted to the winner. If you want to explore the full range of reactions just have a look through the seventy odd comments on my Jodie Prenger Wins I’d Do Anything blog post!
This looks like a good move on their part given the strength of the popular vote, Jodie’s personal popularity must be capable of translating into ticket sales so they’ll want to use her as much as possible.
I wonder if they had set the level so low in case one of the youngsters won. Let’s be honest, I can’t imagine 17 year old Samantha Berk sustaining more than 4 performances a week or Jessie, for that matter, at all of 18. I know Nancy’s not an enormous role but it has some taxing songs and her performance is pivotal to the success of the show. If we don’t care about Nancy nothing else makes sense.
So now you can be sure of seeing Jodie Prenger as Nancy on your Oliver weekend theatre break. Just one thing, book soon, as weekend dates are filling up fast!
Jodie Prenger is Nancy but can you be sure of seeing her? June 1, 2008
Posted by Linda in : I'd do anything, Musicals, Oliver, Theatre Royal, dates , add a comment
Jodie Prenger was revealed on I’d Do Anything last night as the nation’s choice for the role of Nancy in Cameron Macintosh’s new production of Oliver at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The production starts previews from December 12th and Oliver theatre breaks are already on sale.
What Nights Will She Play?
Please Note - Updated Post - Jodie is now playing 6 shows a week.
So Jodie is Nancy, but how can you be sure of seeing her? The official web site for the show now says:
Sickness and holiday permitting, we have decided that Jodie Prenger is scheduled to perform on Monday and Tuesday evenings, Wednesday matinees, Friday evenings and both performances on Saturday. Until the show opens in December we cannot make a final decision on any additional performances.
So if you want to book Oliver theatre breaks now, to be sure of getting tickets you need to pick your days with care.
It may be that once rehearsals get going and they see how she copes more performances will be added. Currently Jodie Prenger will play 6 houses a week.
Christmas Oliver Theatre Breaks
It might still be possible to book a theatre break to see Oliver during the Christmas holidays. If you are going to go for that you will need to act quickly. I think Oliver will be a massive draw over the Christmas period. We all love a bit of Dickens at Christmas and Oliver is a perfect family show.
Oliver Christmas Performance Dates and Times
Sickness and any holidays permitting Jodie’s proposed performances are marked in red:
Mon 22nd December - 7.30pm
Tues 23rd December - 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Wednesday 24th December - 2.30pm
Thursday 25th December - No show
Friday 26th December - 7.30pm
Saturday 27th December - 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Monday 29th December -7.30pm
Tuesday 30th December -7.30pm
Wednesday 31st December - 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Thursday 1st January -7.30pm
Friday 2nd January- 7.30pm
Saturday 3rd January- 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Update - Jodie gets Saturday performances
See our latest post -Jodie’s playing both Saturday performances as well now, possibly due to public demand.
What about Oliver?
I’m afraid there’s no way to be sure of seeing your favourite Oliver. The web site states:
Due to licensing issues we cannot decide which Oliver will perform until shortly before the performance starts.
Having said that they are all wonderful, and we shouldn’t really play favourites . I can’t help but have a soft spot for one little Welsh charmer but I know they’re all good.
I’ll be ‘reviewing the situation’ 
and I’ll post as soon as there are any more details about the cast, dates, or anything else to do with Oliver.
Check availabilty for Oliver Theatre Breaks with Show and Stay/Holiday Extras using the form below:
Two great shows extended - new dates. April 28, 2008
Posted by admin in : Musicals, Prince Edward, adelphi, jersey boys, joseph, news , add a commentJoseph, currently one of the most popular shows in town, is still going strong and has just extended its run. The hit show at the Adelphi is now booking right through to January 2009! Joseph fans will be thrilled.
Jersey Boys, a newcomer that has quickly become a real favourite in London has also extended. Defying those who thought UK audiences wouldn’t warm to such an American story Jersey Boys has turned out to be a real winner with audiences. It is now booking until April 25th 2009 at the Prince Edward Theatre.
Stomp extended at the Ambassadors January 27, 2008
Posted by admin in : Ambassadors, stomp , add a commentStomp (Ambassadors) is extended for booking until 11th October, 2008.
** book Stomp theatre breaks **
Fiddler on the Roof closes January 27, 2008
Posted by admin in : Fiddler on the roof, Savoy , add a commentFiddler on the Roof, is to close on 16th February at the Savoy Theatre.
It has been running for nine months. The replacement show in May will be the “Take That” musical “Never Forget”
Wicked extended January 27, 2008
Posted by admin in : apollo victoria, wicked , add a commentWicked (Apollo Victoria) is now booking until 4th April, 2009.
Chicago- Now Booking To February 2009 January 21, 2008
Posted by admin in : Musicals, news , add a commentChicago at the Cambridge Theatre is now booking right through till Feb 2009! The new booking period covering 28 July 2008 – 28 February 2009 will go on sale on Monday 28 January.
Chicago celebrated its tenth anniversary with a glamourous Charity Gala Performance on 5 December 2007. A true West End smash hit, Chicago transferred to the Cambridge Theatre in 2006.
Cast Changes
Bonnie Langford and Brenda Edwards will be playing their roles as ‘Roxie Hart’ and ‘Mama Morton’ for an extra 4 weeks until 24 February. Duncan James has extended his starring run as ‘Billy Flynn’ by two weeks until 10 February. Amra-Faye Wright and Paul Rider will continue to play the roles of ‘Velma Kelly’ and ‘Amos Hart’ until 24 February.
News about who is replacing the cast is not available as yet - watch this space!
