Actor, comedian, musician and writer Steve Furst stars in an exciting new restaging of Lionel Bart’s magnificent musical masterpiece Oliver! at Leeds Playhouse this festive season.
Nancy will be played by the West End’s Jenny Fitzpatrick, who recently starred as Justice in Rock Of Ages.
Playing in the round in the Quarry theatre, this cherished production will be directed by Leeds Playhouse Artistic Director and Chief Executive James Brining (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical, The Wizard of Oz), taking audiences on a spectacular journey through the streets of Victorian London from 24 November 2023 to 27 January 2024. Tickets are on sale here.
You’re starring in Oliver! At Leeds Playhouse, what can you tell us about this production?
Firstly, the entire show is performed with shadow puppets… Sorry, that’s not true. However, what is true, is that this production is being staged ‘in the round’ which means that the Playhouse are putting in extra seating on the stage creating a completely 360 degree performance. This presents all sorts of new challenges to all concerned, both on and off stage.
What was it about this new re-staging that made you want to be a part of it?
The in the round nature of the show was particularly attractive to me. Having a diverse cast and company adds another, fresher, element to this often-told story. This is a story, on the one hand, about misfits and outcasts, their place in society and their own social dynamics which is mirrored by the more staid middle class family. And then what happens to all concerned when this innocent young boy enters their life.
You’re playing Fagin, what do you love about this character?
In all honestly I love EVERYTHING about Fagin. He’s a peach of a part. We have all grown up in the shadow of this magnificent show, whether we are into, or involved in, musical theatre or not. Oliver is a phenomenon, it is our West Side Story. And Fagin is at the heart of it.
He is both kind and cruel, at peace with himself and also deeply uncomfortable about where he is in his life; he is a mass of contradiction. What struck me as I was watching old Lionel Bart clips on YouTube is that Fagin is Bart personified; beguiling, funny, a circus ringmaster but deeply flawed and troubled. He is also an East End Jew and with that comes a need to survive, to think on his feet.
And what do you think will be the most challenging part of the role?
Trying to gather all of the above elements together is no easy task. But it’s so well written that most of the work is done for you. The other thing is not to make him too Ron Moody or too Jonathan Pryce. There are so many titans that have taken on the role previously that it is important to have confidence in one’s own choices.
It has a large cast of young people, what are you looking forward to about working with them?
I love working with young talent. I was in Matilda for a long while and got to see how diligent and fearless young people are at this level. They never cease to surprise me and make me feel rather humble.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Oliver?
You are in for a treat. This is one of those shows where pretty much every song is a stone-cold classic. It is packed with so many great moments but don’t expect it to be a light and breezy Christmas offering. This is a show with a lot of dark themes and we aren’t shying away from them. Truly this is a show with something for everyone.
