Matt Lucas to star as Fagin in OLIVER!

First premiering in 1960, this Olivier, Tony, and Oscar-winning musical is now back in the West End after 14 years. A musical adaptation of the novel by Charles Dickens, Oliver! tells the story of young orphan Oliver Twist, who escapes the clutches of a grim workhouse and finds himself in the seedy underbelly of Victorian London, falling in with the duplicitous Fagin and his gang of pickpockets. All Oliver wants is to find a home, but everyone he encounters seems to have their own agenda for him.

Matt Lucas, who will take over the role of Fagin for six weeks from 22 September to 1 November, is an actor, author, comedian, presenter, and writer, best known for co-creating the three-time BAFTA-winning BBC comedy Little Britain. He recently played Thenardier in the ll-star production of Les Misérables: The Arena Concert Spectacular in many cities across the globe, as well as performing in the 40th Anniversary celebrations of the London production. He has starred in numerous critically acclaimed projects, with film credits including Alice in Wonderland, Paddington, Wonka, Gladiator II, and Bridesmaids. Additionally, he has written a string of bestselling children’s books, including Thank You, Baked Potato and his memoir Little Me.

Simon Lipkin, who was nominated for an Olivier Award for brilliantly reinventing the role of Fagin in this celebrated new production of Oliver! will continue in the role until Sunday 20 September, before resuming from Tuesday 3 November.

Lucas joins Ava Brennan as Nancy, Aaron Sidwell as Bill Sikes, Aaron MacGregor as the Artful Dodger, Oscar Conlon-Morrey as Mr. Bumble, Katy Secombe as Widow Corney, Stephen Matthews as Mr. Sowerberry/Dr. Grimwig, Jamie Birkett as Mrs. Sowerberry/Mrs. Bedwin and Philip Franks as Mr. Brownlow. The role of Oliver Twist is played by Isaac Hackett, James Miller, Thomas Newman and Jacob Sanders-Jones.

Produced and revised by Cameron Mackintosh, Oliver! is directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne and co-directed by Jean-Pierre van der Spuy. Designed by Lez Brotherston, lighting design is by Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs, sound design by Adam Fisher, video design by George Reeve, new orchestrations by Stephen Metcalfe based on the original by William David Brohn; music supervision is by Graham Hurman.

Oliver!, which announced its extension earlier this year, is playing at the Gielgud Theatre until 14 March 2027.

Oliver! Tickets