Cameron Mackintosh’s smash-hit new production of Lionel Bart’s musical OLIVER! has opened in London’s West End.
Based on Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver! boasts a much-loved score by Bart, including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I’d Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, As Long As He Needs Me and many more.
This brand new production has been completely reconceived by West End impresario Cameron Mackintosh, along with director and choreographer Matthew Bourne.
Oliver! proved a hit last summer at the Chichester Festival Theatre, and it seems that London audiences are also responding well, with the production already extending its run at the Gielgud Theatre to 29 March 2026.
Reviews of Oliver!
Reviews of Oliver! from London’s theatre critics are starting to come in for the show – check out a complete Oliver! Reviews Round-up here.
First Night Photos
Oliver! opened last night, Tuesday 14 January 2025, in London’s West End, attended by a host of famous faces, including Arlene Phillips, Beverley Knight, Alan Titchmarsh, Peter Capaldi, Rob Brydon, Angela Rippon, Jodie Prenger, Darcey Bussell and more.
Check out photos of the First Night Red Carpet Arrivals.
The talented cast of Oliver!
Oliver! stars Simon Lipkin (Guys and Dolls, Avenue Q) in the role of Fagin, with 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, Philip Franks (The Rocky Horror Show, Witness for the Prosecution) as Mr. Brownlow, Oscar Conlon-Morrey (Mother Goose, Only Fools and Horses The Musical) as Mr. Bumble, Katy Secombe (The Music Man, Les Misérables) as Widow Corney, Stephen Matthews (Strictly Ballroom, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mr. Sowerberry/Dr. Grimwig, Jamie Birkett (Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Mamma Mia! The Party) as Mrs. Sowerberry/Mrs. Bedwin, and Billy Byers as Alternate Artful Dodger.
The role of Oliver Twist is played by Cian Eagle-Service (The Witches, Les Misérables), Raphael Korniets (The Snowman), Jack Philpott (The Witches, Matilda) and Odo Rowntree-Bailly (Love Never Dies).
Forming the young adult cast are Callum Hudson (Noah Claypole), Isabelle Methven (Bet), Lochlan White (Charley Bates) and Harry Cross (Dandy). The ensemble members/swings are: Rachael Archer, Tegan Bannister, Adam Boardman, Lois Craig, Stephen John Davis, Bethany Huckle, Ebony Jonelle, Bethan Keens (Charlotte), Danny Lane, Peter Nash, Josh Patel-Foster, Sam Peggs, Jasmine Sakyiama, Wendy Somerville (Old Sally), Charlie Stripp, Leah Vassell and Matthew Whennell-Clark.
The younger roles in Fagin’s gang are shared by Toba Agbelusi, Zoe Akinyosade, Ben Birch, Preston Cropp, Kylan Michael Denis, Sebastian Elton, Liam Findlay, Rudy Gibson, Stanley Guy, George Hamblin, Lily Hanna, Sammy Jones, Grace King, Jonny Niland, Hugo Pechey, Alex Prior, Teddy Probets, William Skinner, Ethan Sokontwe, Dylan Xavier and Aaron Zhao.
The creators of Oliver!
Oliver! boasts a book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, based on Charles Dickens’ classic book.
This production is directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne with co-director Jean-Pierre van der Spuy, design by Lez Brotherston, lighting design 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.
Booking tickets to Oliver!
Oliver! is playing at the Gielgud Theatre in London, booking to 29 March 2026.
Book tickets to OLIVER! at the Gielgud Theatre in London
Gielgud Theatre, London
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