ROWAN ATKINSON - ROWAN ATKINSON TO PLAY FAGIN ON THE WEST END

British comedian ROWAN ATKINSON has signed up to play bad guy Fagin in the new West End production of OLIVER!

Best known for his roles in BLACKADDER and MR BEAN, Atkinson will star alongside the winners of BBC TV show I'D DO ANYTHING, which sees young boys and women competing for the roles of Oliver and Nancy.

Speaking to the BBC, the actor said: "I had been thinking for some time about returning to the stage and the idea of the role of Fagin, which has long intrigued me."

The stage show's producer, Sir Cameron Macintosh, revealed that Rowan was an ideal choice for the part and one which he had been considering for many years.

"To me this idea has always promised the perfect marriage of a brilliant mercurial role with a brilliant mercurial comic actor," he added.

His appearance in the West End will not be the first rime that Atkinson has undertaken the role of Fagin.

In 2005 he took to the stage in his son's school production of the popular musical.



27/03/2008 10:54:11