Oliver! at Göteborg Opera

Fredrik Benke Rydman’s version of this beloved musical, based on the celebrated novel by Charles Dickens.

The homeless orphan Oliver Twist has a very hard life, cast around like a worthless token between people and situations. Each time he gets a break, the glimmer of hope is quickly extinguished, and casts him back into the depths of hopelessness. Yet even in the depths he finds warmth and kindness, albeit in ambiguous forms. Nancy, the “tart with a heart”, is perhaps one the most tragic of all. Then there’s Fagin – pragmatist, survivor and master pickpocket. Can Oliver trust anyone?

Acclaimed founder of the ground-breaking dance company Bounce, Fredrik Benke Rydman, has a string of successes to his name. With his background in street dance and his unwavering belief in children’s abilities, he’s the perfect choice to add a new dimension to Lionel Bart’s poignant musical. Benke Rydman and his team cleverly reveal the vast chasm between children’s and adults’ perspectives. It’s a world infused with crackling energy, imaginative freedom and stunning dance performances. In the lead up to ”Oliver!”, 100 children aged 6 to 11 have participated in a year-long ”Oliver School” run at the Göteborg Opera – with free classes in song, dance and acting. Sixty of these children divided into three groups will perform in the production; among them the two main roles Oliver and Dodger.

The world premiere of ”Oliver!” took place in London’s West End in 1960. The film version of the musical won 6 Oscars in 1969. The songs include Food Glorious Food, Consider yourself, I'd do anything, You've got to pick a pocket or two, Oom-pah-pah and Where is love?
Get ready ... for ”Oliver!”

Authors

• Charles Dickens
• Lionel Bart

Tony Awards and Nominations for Oliver!