Oliver!
Gielgud Theatre
5/5 based on 1 review (read reviews)- Booking until: Saturday, 27 September 2025
- Running time: 2hr 40min. Incl. interval.
Oliver! photos
Oliver! description
It has been more than ten years since Lionel Bart’s beloved musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist was last in theatreland, long overdue for another run. Every time the show arrives in London it scores a massive hit, so don’t miss the magic!
A classic loved by everyone who sees it
This is the story of the orphan Oliver and his search for happiness in brutal Victorian London. Last time the show hit the capital it played the London Palladium in a production starring Rowan Atkinson as Fagin, with Jodie Prenger as Nancy. But the musical and the Dickens novel it was inspired by both go back a lot longer. Written in 1838, the book was transformed into the musical we know and love by Lionel Bart, who crafted the book, music and lyrics and won the 1963 Tony Award for Best Original Score for his work.
Along with enduring plot everyone loves, the songs still resonate more than sixty years later. Tunes like Food, Glorious Food, Consider Yourself and I'd Do Anything embedded in the national consciousness.
A long string of smash hit revivals
We’ve seen several major London revivals in the West End: 1977 to 1980, 1994 to 1998, 2008 to 2011, and 2011 to 2013 on UK tour. It remains one of the best-loved am-dram shows and a hugely popular school musical.
Meet the cast
This transferring production comes from Cameron Mackintosh and the Chichester Festival Theatre and features an impressive cast. We have 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.
The musical is directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne and co-directed by Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy. Designed by Lez Brotherston to create a powerful feel of seedy Victorian London, the lighting design is by Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs. The sound design is by Adam Fisher, video design by George Reeve, and the original orchestrations by William David Brohn have been adapted by Stephen Metcalfe. The music supervision is by Graham Hurman.
Starring
Simon Lipkin
Playing at Gielgud Theatre
Age restrictions
Everyone must have their own ticket. Under 16s must be accompanied by and sat next to a ticketholder who is 18+. Under 3s will not be admitted.
Oliver! news
18Apr