I'm not Fagin, I really AM ill: Rowan Atkinson misses two performances of Oliver! due of 'vocal strain'

By Bo Wilson
Updated:

Rowan Atkinson has had to miss two performances of Oliver! because he is suffering from vocal strain.

The comic, who has to sing four songs as well as reprises in his role of Fagin, has only been performing in the show for a matter of weeks.

But already he has found himself succumbing to the same complaint as Martine McCutcheon and Connie Fisher before him.

Rowan Atkinson

Rowan Atkinson, who plays Fagin in the West End hit Oliver!, has had to miss two shows after suffering from vocal strain

Atkinson, 54, the show's main attraction, has had little experience of gruelling stage work, let alone singing, where he must perform eight times a week.

The Mr Bean and Blackadder star has been performing in the musical, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, since the previews in mid-December, following a rehearsal period of six weeks.

He is the only cast member to have missed a performance due to vocal strain.

Theatrical Musical 'Oliver!' at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London..

Jodie Prenger, who stars as Nancy, has not missed a single performance

His co-star, Jodie Prenger, who won the BBC1 reality show I'd Do Anything! to win the role of Nancy, has had years of singing experience and has managed to avoid falling ill.

A spokesman for Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, producing the show, said: 'Rowan missed two performances last Wednesday and Thursday through vocal strain. He has fully recovered and is back at work.'

Atkinson's understudy will also have to cover for Atkinson when he takes a holiday from the role between 26 March and 5 April. Atkinson is playing Fagin until 18 July.

Connie Fisher
Martine McCutcheon

Connie Fisher, who played Maria in the Sound Of Music, and Martine McCutcheon, who played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, also missed performances

In 2001, Martine McCutcheon had to pull out of the West End production of My Fair Lady, in which she played Eliza Doolittle for eight months, because of persistent health problems.

Two years ago, Connie Fisher, 25, who played Maria in The Sound Of Music - also winning the role through a BBC reality show - burst a blood vessel in her throat and lost her voice, forcing her to take two weeks off.

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