Jodie Prenger News

Jerry Springer is Billy Flynn on Broadway, full casting announced for Life Is A Dream and a surfeit of understudies take over the West End. Miriam Zendle reports

The Sun newspaper has reported that the planned UK reality show to find a 'Dorothy' for the upcoming West End stage production of 'The Wizard of Oz' has been cancelled by the BBC after Andrew Lloyd Webber withdrew.

Omid Djalili will replace Rowan Atkinson as Fagin in Cameron Mackintosh's OLIVER! The Iranian comedian will take over starting July 20, 2009, joining the rest of the original cast. He is scheduled to continue in the part until December 12, 2009. Cameron Mackintosh presents his triumphant new staging of Lionel Bart's masterpiece 'OLIVER!' at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which was last seen at the Palladium in 1994. Oliver! is one of the most beloved British musicals, vividly bringing to life Dickens' timeless characters with its ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more.

The star of the Open Air Theatre's latest production talks to Carrie Dunn about downpours, droll writing and The Vicar of Dibley...

John Barrowman is set to join the cast of Menier Chocolate Factory's La Cage aux Folles, stepping into the roll of Albin on 9/14. The roll is currently being played by Roger Allam.

Oliver took in £3 million more than Dirty Dancing did in 2006, a stunning feat in these tough economic times. The production now has sound clips from its upcoming cast album available on the official Oliver! website. You can find them by going here!

Dress Circle is delighted to announce that Jodie Prenger will be at the Dress Circle shop in Covent Garden to sign copies of the 2009 London Cast Recording of OLIVER on Saturday 21st March from 12.00pm - 12.45pm. She will also be signing copies of her new book IT'S A FINE LIFE.

Jodie Prenger, the actress voted to play the lead role of Nancy in Oliver! at the Theater Royal, Drury Lane, has taken a leave of absence from the show. Prenger was chosen through the reality show 'I'd Do Anything.' According to the theater's website, 'Having suffered a mild illness, on the advice of her doctors, Jodie Prenger will be taking an enforced break from appearing in OLIVER! from the 2nd to the 7th March 2009.

Omid Djalili will replace Rowan Atkinson as Fagin in Cameron Mackintosh's OLIVER! The Iranian comedian will take over starting July 20, 2009, joining the rest of the original cast. He is scheduled to continue in the part until December 12, 2009. Cameron Mackintosh presents his triumphant new staging of Lionel Bart's masterpiece 'OLIVER!' at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which was last seen at the Palladium in 1994. Oliver! is one of the most beloved British musicals, vividly bringing to life Dickens' timeless characters with its ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more.

Sir Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular ?4.5 million revival of Oliver! is already the fastest selling on record, with ?15 million in advance ticket sales before it even opened on January 14th at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Oliver took in ?3 million more than Dirty Dancing did in 2006, a stunning feat in these tough economic times. Robert Goold (Best Director, 2008 Olivier Awards) directs this production of Oliver!, which is based on Sam Mendes' triumphant 1994 staging, along with Tony award winning co-director and choreographer Matthew Bourne. Production design is by Anthony Ward; lighting design by Paule Constable and sound is by Paul Groothuis, with orchestrations by William D Brohn and musical supervision by Martin Koch. Cameron Mackintosh presents Rowan Atkinson as 'Fagin' in Lionel Bart's musical masterpiece 'OLIVER!' at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Cameron Mackintosh's new production of OLIVER!' starts previews tonight Saturday 13 December at 7.30pm at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The earlier scheduled preview performances on Friday 12 December at 7.30pm and Saturday 13 December matinee at 2.30pm were canceled.

The new production at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane promises to be even more spectacular than ever before, starring Rowan Atkinson as Fagin with a cast and orchestra of over 100 - including Jodie Prenger as Nancy, Burn Gorman as Bill Sikes, Julian Glover as Mr Brownlow, Rosemary Leach as Mrs Bedwin, Julian Bleach as Mr Sowerberry, Louise Gold as Mrs Sowerberry, and Gwion Jones, Harry Stott or Laurence Jeffcoate as Oliver.

Outrageous TV chat show king Graham Norton, comedienne Mel Giedroyc, 'Hairspray' leading man Michael Ball, opera diva Lesley Garrett and the stars of 'Jersey Boys' are to add glamour to the biggest and glitziest gathering of stars in the theatre year - the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards launch party.

Cameron Mackintosh will present Rowan Atkinson as 'Fagin' in Lionel Bart's musical masterpiece 'OLIVER!' at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, with performances commencing from 12 December 2008 and a press night on 14 January 2009.

Cameron Mackintosh announces final casting for his new production of Lionel Bart's musical masterpiece 'OLIVER!' starring Rowan Atkinson as 'Fagin', Jodie Prenger as 'Nancy' and Burn Gorman as 'Bill Sikes' at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Performances commence on 12 December and the press night is on 14 January.

On Sunday 14th September, Radio 2 continues its celebration of the leading lights of musical theatre with Andrew Lloyd Webber's Birthday In The Park.

Rachel Tucker of the BBC's 'I'd Do Anything' will star as Meat in the Queen musical We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre starting September 22nd.