The Olivier, Tony and Oscar-winning masterpiece will open in London following its premiere at the Chichester Festival Theatre this summer.
Glorious news! Lionel Bert's iconic musical, OLIVER! will open in the West End at the end of the year, beginning performances at the Gielgud Theatre on Saturday 14 December.
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, original orchestrations by William David Brohn adapted by Stephen Metcalfe; music supervision is by Graham Hurman.
The cast includes Simon Lipkin (Guys and Dolls, Avenue Q) as Fagin, Shanay Holmes (Miss Saigon, The Bodyguard) as Nancy, Aaron Sidwell (Henry VI, Wicked) as Bill Sikes, Billy Jenkins (Les Misérables, BBC’s Dodger) as the Artful Dodger and Philip Franks (The Rocky Horror Show, Witness for the Prosecution) as Mr Brownlow.
What is Oliver about?
Set in Victorian England, the story follows the orphaned Oliver Twist as he navigates the harsh realities of poverty and crime in London. After daring to ask for more food at the workhouse where he resides, Oliver is sold to an undertaker but eventually escapes to the city. He encounters a colourful cast of characters, including the Artful Dodger, Fagin, and the villainous Bill Sikes. Through his journey, Oliver seeks belonging, family, and a better life, while facing the challenges of survival and the allure of the criminal underworld. With its memorable songs and poignant themes, Oliver! explores the triumph of innocence and compassion over adversity.
Featuring an unforgettable score, including 'Food Glorious Food', 'I'd Do Anything' and 'As Long As He Needs Me' - Oliver! promises to be one of the biggest musicals to hit London at the tail end of 2024. You won't want to miss this one!
Benefitting from a concert staging which includes a full orchestra and choir (drawn from the ArtsEd school), Stephen Schwartz’s tale of PIPPIN the young medieval prince who learns about life while searching for happiness and fulfilment, hits the Theatre Royal Drury Lane for 2 nights only, in celebration of its milestone half century.