Matt Lucas Transforms into Fagin for West End Production
The comedian shares a behind-the-scenes look at his transformation into the iconic 'Oliver!' character.
Matt Lucas has unveiled his transformation into Fagin for the West End production of "Oliver!" in a recent social media post. The comedian and actor, 52, is temporarily taking on the role for six weeks at the Gielgud Theatre, beginning September 22, while regular cast member Simon Lipkin is on paternity leave.
Lucas shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) showcasing the makeup process in his dressing room. The transformation includes a greasy wig, darkened teeth, and the addition of a goatee, applied by two makeup artists. He captioned the post, "I'm appearing as Fagin in Oliver! at the Gielgud Theatre in London until 1st November, and it's a fine life."
Lucas is scheduled to perform in all shows except for the evening performance on Wednesday, October 21, and the matinee on Thursday, October 29. Fans reacted enthusiastically to the transformation, with one commenter stating, "What a brilliant transformation. I’m always in awe of the talent of hair and make-up artists."
Fagin, a complex character from Charles Dickens's "Oliver Twist," has traditionally been depicted as a volatile criminal. However, in this West End production, directed by Matthew Bourne, certain aspects of the character have been adjusted to be more palatable for contemporary family audiences. A notable change is in Fagin's reaction upon discovering Oliver going through his treasure. Previously, the scene involved a more explosive outburst where Fagin would grab Oliver and shout. A source indicated that this scene has been softened, with Fagin now reacting more sternly rather than with overt anger, aiming to present a less frightening villain.
This approach shifts Fagin from a potentially sinister figure, as portrayed by actors like Ron Moody in the 1968 film, towards a more of a "lovable rogue" archetype. The adjustments are reportedly intended to align the show with a gentler approach favored by modern parents.
Representatives for Sir Cameron Mackintosh, a producer of the show, declined to comment on the changes.