So our school finally decided on Oliver! But I'm curious to see if anybody's ever been in/ seen a play where Oliver was played by a girl. I think it could work, especially considering the vocal ranges, but I'm really iffy on the effect. Especially since the little brat that will probably get the part will refuse to cut her hair.

You do have wigs for that kind of thing.

I think it would be interesting.

In our production of Oliver! this year, Oliver and the Artful Dodger were both played by girls. So were about five of the ten workhouse orphans, and two of Fagin's Gang.

Girls usually work fine. Dodger's got a hat to cover the hair, and our Oliver had her hair rolled up by her mom, and they just played it like Oliver's hair was a bit longer than usual. After all, haircuts weren't as common back then, especially for poor children.

In ours a few years ago both Dodgers were girls and one Oliver was a girl (We double cast.) The Oliver cut her hair and so did one of the Dodgers, The other one had resonably short hair anyway and just tucked it into their hat.

I have seen a girl play Oliver and to be honest, I didn't think it worked. She just looked like a girl with her hair tied up under a hat. I think it should only be played by a boy if possible.

It is one of the greatest true younger boy roles, please do whatever you can to cast a boy, just because it's such a great oppritunity to allow a young boy to grow so much artistically. I'm sorry but it's such a cop out to cast a girl.

plus you've already taken peter pan away from us guys at least let us keep oliver!

uhm.. Peter Pan was played by a woman from day one. JM Barrie wrote the play for an actress to play the role. no one took the role away from boys.

yeah i always thought peter pan on stage was played by a female..
well im auditioning for oliver soon, and im a girl,
and i dont think its a bad thing to have a girl play oliver... you whack on a wig, whats the difference?

I was just being sarcastic, i'm not a complete idiot.

I'm just saying I don't understand if the role is meant for a boy to play why you can't just find a little a boy - yah they may not be the best at the inital audition but what little boy is going to be absoutely amazing at this stage in their life, I'm just saying if the directer really wanted to they could take this oppritunity to really mold and shape a young boys career, and I think that's something to take advantage of, rather than just casting a girl because she can sing it easier.

I think that if a suitable boy who can pull off the part can be found than they should definitely be used over a girl, but if the young boys show no potential at all, I don't see a problem with Oliver being portrayed by a girl....as long as she's convincing.

^
I agree

My theatre's production of Oliver! was cast with both the Artful Dodger AND Oliver as girls both were amazing and the Oliver had a thoroughly convincing wig on.......which was good b/c she had REALLY long hair!