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Find out more about the final 12
boys who might be Oliver.
Twelve lucky boys have made it through
the auditions to perform every Saturday night in front
of Andrew and the panel.
And they are...
Alexander, 11, from London
Apart from becoming Oliver, Alex would
like to be a barrister because he's interested in law.
He's also a Bon Jovi fan. Alex would love to act as
Oliver opposite Robbie Williams playing Fagin.
Arthur, 10, from Bristol
Arthur loves watching Doctor Who and
Torchwood. His favourite musical – apart from Oliver
– is Hairspray, he's a big My Chemical Romance fan and
when he's older he wants to own his own theatre.
Chester, 12, from Middlesex
Wicked fan Chester loves all the
performing arts and definitely wants to be an actor when
he's older. Chester likes to make his own short films
but his favourite film is Stardust. He loves watching
Doctor Who, Torchwood and Primeval.
Gareth, 12, from Londonderry
Football fan Gareth has his sights set
solely on a stage career, he would like nothing more
than to succeed as a singer. He loves watching
Masterchef and The Simpsons and his favourite musicals
are Joseph and Blood Brothers.
Gwion, 11, from Carmarthenshire
Gwion has his sights set on being a
musical director and making the best musicals ever. He's
a Joseph fan, also loves The Lord of the Rings films and
would love to act Oliver opposite Gary Oldman as Fagin.
Harry, 12, from Oxfordshire
Rugby fan Harry loves to watch
Primeval and Heroes, and his sights are firmly set on an
acting career when he's older. His favourite musical –
apart from Oliver – is The Phantom of the Opera.
Jonny, 13, from Warwickshire
Apart from acting and singing, Jonny's
ambition is to become a marine biologist when he's
older. A Hollyoaks and Horrid Henry fan, his favourite
musical – apart from Oliver – is Wicked.
Jordan, 13, from Wrexham
Apart from becoming Oliver, when he's
older Jordan has his sights set on the role of Jean
Valjean in Les Miserables (which is also his favourite
musical) because he loves the character and music so
much. He's a Chelsea supporter and is a big fan of Ant
& Dec.
Joseph, 10, from Berkshire
Apart from becoming Oliver, sporty
Joseph harbours ambitions to become a rugby player.
Oliver apart, his favourite musical is Billy Elliot and
he's also a Green Day fan.
Kwayedza, 13, from Kent
Simpsons fan Kwayedza's first love is
singing, and more than anything he wants to be a
successful singer and songwriter in the future. His
favourite band is Boyz II Men. He'd love to play
opposite Johnny Depp's Fagin, and his favourite musical
is Little Shop of Horrors.
Laurence, 11, from Cheshire
Shrek fan Laurence thinks Ron Moody
should have played Fagin forever, and would love to have
played Oliver opposite him. His favourite musical is The
Lion King, and when he's older he wants to be an
inventor.
Sam, 10, from Hampshire
Sam is a huge Billy Elliot fan and
definitely has his sights set on an acting career. He is
an avid viewer of The Simpsons and EastEnders, and apart
from Oliver his favourite film of all time is ET.
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We speak to Harry, Laurence and Gwion about
their journey to the West End
What has this experience been like?
Laurence: It's been just fantastic. I've
learned so much from Andrew, Cameron and the coaches,
which I will use in my performance as Oliver.
Gwion: It's been the most amazing
experience of my entire life and I've enjoyed it hugely. I
feel so lucky to have been involved.
Harry: This whole experience has been
wonderful, especially meeting so many new friends and
working with fantastic coaches who have taught me a lot. I
am so pleased to have been part of it.
What have been your highlights?
Laurence: I have lots of highlights, the main
one being meeting the other Olivers and Nancys. I can't
believe I've only known them for such a short time because
we're all so close. We've also been to see some West End
shows together and had backstage tours. I love performing
in front of the studio audience every Saturday night.
Before we go onstage we do the Oliver huddle for good luck
and our special chant - 'J.E.E.P.S!' which stands for
Joyfulness, Energy, Enthusiasm, Passion and Smiles which
gives us motivation to perform really well. Oh and being
told I was Oliver was the biggest highlight of all!
Gwion: The highlights have been
meeting the other Olivers for the first time and then
becoming really good friends. It's been great to have 11
other boys to experience this with. I was worried about
being so far from home at the very beginning but living in
the Oliver house with all of the other boys has really
been lots of fun. Going to the Ironman premiere and seeing
Gwyneth Paltrow was definitely a once in a lifetime
experience. And, finally, the biggest highlight was being
told I was Oliver of course!
Harry: There are so many highlights
it's difficult to choose but meeting the other Olivers and
Nancys before the first live show was definitely the main
one. Walking down the red carpet at the Ironman premiere
was amazing! The crowd asked us all for our autographs and
we had our photograph taken for the newspaper; it felt
like we were celebrities! Also working with Claire,
Louise, Kevan and Lisa, the amazing coaches, has been
fantastic.
How did you feel when you were told that you
were Oliver?
Laurence: It was completely overwhelming. I
was ecstatic and it was the greatest feeling in my life
ever! My mum couldn't believe it and started crying then
gave me a big hug and told me she was so proud of me,
which made me cry too!
Gwion: It was very nerve-wracking at
first, waiting to find out and then, when I was told I was
Oliver I was ecstatic! I couldn't quite believe it and I
thought I was dreaming. My mum gave me the biggest hug
ever and I couldn't breathe!
Harry: When I found out I was
incredibly excited and surprised. I had been dreaming of
what it would feel like for so long and then it happened,
I couldn't believe it was for real. It didn't sink in for
a few minutes that I was actually going to be playing
Oliver!
What are you looking forward to most?
Laurence: I'm really looking forward to
meeting the cast and my first performance on a West End
stage, which will be just amazing and a dream come true.
Gwion: I'm really looking forward to
performing and starring with the cast and seeing the set
for the first time.
Harry: I'm really looking forward to
rehearsing with the winning Nancy and meeting the rest of
the cast, especially Fagin!
What advice would you give to any young people
hoping to follow in your footsteps?
Laurence: I would advise anyone who wanted to
perform in the West End to really believe in yourself and
be confident when you perform. Also, try not to be nervous
and enjoy yourself so that the audience enjoy themselves
too!
Gwion: Keep trying really hard, even
if you don't get some things you audition for, because one
day the right part will be out there for you. Always
concentrate, be focussed and listen to everything your
coaches and the experts tell you and use it in your
performance.
Harry: Make sure that you enjoy every
moment of the experience as it all goes by so quickly! And
also, you shouldn't be upset if things don't always go the
way you want them to. Sometimes you have to just keep
working really hard even if you think you'll never make
it.
Who in the final three would you like to be
Nancy?
Laurence: I would like Jodie to be my Nancy.
Gwion: Jessie is my Nancy!
Harry: I'd like Samantha to be my
Nancy.
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