ROWAN ATKINSON - ATKINSON TO APPEAR IN SCHOOL PRODUCTION OF OLIVER

British comedian ROWAN ATKINSON has signed up to appear on stage in the musical OLIVER! - for his son's school play.

The MR BEAN actor has taken two weeks out of his schedule to rehearse for his role as the ruthless FAGIN in the CHARLES DICKENS tale at his child BENJAMIN's $30,352 (GBP15,975)-a-year Summer Fields school in Oxford, England.

A source says, "It's an extraordinary coup for the school. Whenever it puts on Oliver!, teachers take on the adult parts while the boys play the younger roles.

"This format will remain the same, but with Rowan stepping in as Fagin."