Oliver (the musical) is based on the much loved Charles Dickins classic Oliver Twist. This colourful and energetic show is making a return to the National Concert Hall on Thursday 27th December to Sunday the 30th of December and it’s a great way to introduce the little ones to Oliver, the Artful Dodger and of course Master Fagin. Read on to find out more about the production, how to get to the National Concert Hall, and if you’re planning to stay for the night we’ve got a few Dublin hotels within walking distance of the venue.
The National Concert Hall is situated on Earlsfort Terrace, just south of Saint Stephen’s Green. It’s easy enough to get to on foot. Starting on O’Connell Street head south, crossing the River Liffey and continue past Trinity to Grafton Street. Walk the length of Grafton Street until you come to Saint Stephens Green. Earlsfort terrace is located on the opposite side of the park. And about half way down the street you’ll come to the National Concert Hall.
There are a number of public transport options that are convenient to the National Concert Hall as well. There’s a Luas stop about 5 minutes away on Harcourt Street and a DART Station on Pearce Street – this might be a fair walk though! A number of bus routes pass nearby including 10, 11, 13, 14, 14A, 15, 15A, 15B, 15C, 27C, 44, 46A, 46B, 48A, 68.
If you’re driving to the venue just be aware that the Concert Hall doesn’t have parking facilities. You might be lucky enough to find some on street parking. Alternatively there are a number of car parks nearby including the car park at the Royal College of Surgeons, the Dawson Street car park, the Drury Street car park, Park Rite car park and Saint Stephen’s Green car park.
The show is loosely based on the 1838 classic Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. This musical version of Oliver first hit the West End in 1960. It wasn’t the first Dickens story to get the musical treatment but it was the first that enjoyed any reasonable success. It was so popular that the musical was adapted into a movie in 1968 and the movie won 5 academy awards, including Best Picture (The only G rated movie ever to do so). This production features Tony Finnegan as the wily Fagin; Sean Corcoran as Bill Sykes; Belfast’s Gerry McBrien and Olive Melville as Mr. Bumble and The Widow Corney; and from Fair City, Adam Lawlor and Melanie Keating as Mr & Mrs Sowerberry. The cast also includes over fifty children!
Since the story largely revolves around children, then your kids should find the show hugely entertaining. Though there are large portions of the original story missing, it is still a wonderful show and it might also encourage your little ones to pick up the book and read it for themselves.
Although generally a simplified version of the original storyline of the book, all of the main characters are still there. Oliver starts in the workhouse but is thrown out for having the audacity to ask for more food. He then works briefly for an undertaker but runs away to London where he meets the Artful Dodger, who in turn introduces him to Fagin and his nest of pickpockets. When out witnessing the boys in action for the first time he is apprehended by the law, although he is cleared because he didn’t do anything. The victim of the crime soon recognises him as his grandson and makes plans to take him in…
If you do decide you want to head to Dublin for the show the times are 6pm on Thursday 27th; 2pm and 6pm on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th; and on Sunday 30th there are shows at 11am, 3pm and 7pm.
If you’re planning an overnight stay in the capital there are plenty Dublin hotels within easy reach of the National Concert Hall.
Situated on the opposite side of the street to the National Concert Hall there’s the luxurious 5-Star Conrad Dublin Hotel.
The 5-star Westbury Hotel is located just off Grafton Street and at Saint Stephen’s Green there’s the 4-star O’Callaghan Stephen’s Green Hotel.
On Harcourt Street there’s the 3-Star Harcourt Hotel and the Russell Court Hotel. Also on this street you’ll find the Jackson Court Hotel which is a 2-Star.
The Kildare Street Hotel is another 2-Star located nearby and on Lower Leeson street you’ll find the 3-Star Premier Suites Dublin and the Leeson Court Hotel which is unclassified but is about a 2-Star level.
Remember if you have any queries about booking a hotel in Dublin just give us a shout via the comment box below. Enjoy the show!
