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You are Oliver! The three winners
Gwion, Harry and Laurence were announced in tonight's I'd Do Anything programme on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One as the three youngsters who will share the role in Cameron Mackintosh's forthcoming stage production of Oliver!
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From initial auditions attracting thousands of Oliver hopefuls through call backs, workshops and live shows the boys were whittled down to a final eight.
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The final task for the boys was to perform the classic song Where Is Love from Oliver! in front of both Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh.
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The theatre impresarios assessed their West End winning performances and made their decision on which three boys would grace the stage.
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The three Olivers – Gwion, 11-year-old, from Carmarthenshire,
Harry, 12-year-old, from Oxfordshire, and Laurence, 11-year old, from Cheshire – spoke about the moment they were told they had won.
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Gwion said: "It was very nerve-wracking at first, waiting to find out and then, when I was told I was Oliver I was ecstatic! I couldn't quite believe it and I thought I was dreaming. My mum gave me the biggest hug ever and I couldn't breathe!"
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Harry said: "When I found out I was incredibly excited and surprised. I had been dreaming of what it would feel like for so long and then it happened, I couldn't believe it was for real. It didn't sink in for a few minutes that I was actually going to be playing Oliver!"
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Laurence said: "It was completely overwhelming. I was ecstatic and it was the greatest feeling in my life ever! My mum couldn't believe it and started crying then gave me a big hug and told me she was so proud of me, which made me cry too!"
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Andrew Lloyd Webber said: "Cameron and I agree we have three very different Olivers, but I think it's a great result and I think whichever Oliver you go and see you're going to get a fantastic performance."
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Cameron Mackintosh said: "The talent we have unearthed has been terrific."
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The boys were chosen from the final eight Oliver semi-finalists. The other five were: Chester, 12-year-old from Middlesex; Arthur, 10-year-old from Bristol; Kwayedza, 13-year-old from Kent; Alexander, 11-year-old from London, and Jonny, 13-year-old from Warwickshire.
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In tonight's show all eight semi-finalists from the series sang Tomorrow from Annie.
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CS/PA/JD
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