The Stage

Lloyd Webber and Mackintosh select their Oliver trio

Published Tuesday 27 May 2008 at 14:50 by Matthew Hemley

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh have cast the three boys from the BBC show I’d Do Anything who will share the leading role in the forthcoming West End production of Oliver!

For their last task, the eight finalists competing for the chance to play the title role in Mackintosh’s new production were asked to perform the song Where is Love from the show, after which 11-year-old Gwion Jones, 12-year-old Harry Stott and 11-year-old Laurence Jeffcoate were selected.

Speaking about the choices, Lloyd Webber said: “Cameron and I agree we have three very different Olivers, but I think it’s a great result and I think whichever Oliver you go and see, you’re going to get a fantastic performance.”

Mackintosh added that the talent the show had unearthed was “terrific”.

The chosen Olivers will play alongside Rowan Atkinson as Fagin in the production, which will run at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from December. Rupert Goold will direct, along with co-director and choreographer Matthew Bourne.

Nancy will be played by the winning contestant of I’d Do Anything, which concludes this weekend.

The three finalists facing the public vote are Jodie Prenger, Jessie Buckley and Samantha Barks.