Table of Contents
ToggleAn adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1838 novel Oliver Twist, Lionel Bart’s production Oliver! follows the journey of an orphan through the trials and tribulations of Victorian England.
When the innocent Oliver makes it to London, he is drawn into the world of Fagin and his criminal gang of children who pickpocket passerby. For the 9-year old boy, this introduction to the corruptive population of society causes conflict between what he knows to be good and what he needs for survival on the streets.
Despite her profession, Nancy develops a maternal protectiveness over Oliver and aids in his rescue by Mr. Brownlow toward a more respectable life and information about his biological parents.
Oliver Twist – orphan; protagonist
Fagin – criminal; antagonist
Nancy – prostitute, criminal, lover to Bill Sikes
Artful Dodger – pickpocket street urchin, student of Fagin, Oliver’s friend
Bill Sikes – criminal in Fagin’s gang, thief, murderer, partner to Nancy; antagonist
Mr. Brownlow – adoptive father to Oliver
(from Oliver! Official Site)
Music and Lyrics: LIONEL BART
Producer, Revisions, and New Material: CAMERON MACKINTOSH
Director and Choreographer: MATTHEW BOURNE
Co-Director: JEAN-PIERRE VAN DER SPUY
Designer: LEZ BROTHERSTON
Musical Supervisor and Conductor: GRAHAM HURMAN
Lighting Designer: PAULE CONSTABLE
Lighting Designer: BEN JACOBS
Sound Designer: ADAM FISHER
Projection Designer: GEORGE REEVE
Original Orchestrations: WILLIAM DAVID BROHN
New Orchestrations: STEPHEN METCALFE
Choreographic Associate: SAM ARCHER
Choreographic Associate: ETTA MURFITT
Children’s Casting Director: VERITY NAUGHTON CDG
Resident Director: SAM HILLER
Resident Choreographer & Children’s Director: JAYE ELSTER
Associate Music Director: HUW EVANS
Children’s Musical Director: LLYR SIMON
Associate Scenic Designer: JOSEPH BISAT MARSHALL
Associate Sound Designer: OLLIE DURRANT
Associate Children’s Director: JO MCSHANE
West End Opening: June 30, 1960 at the New Theatre (London)
Broadway Opening: January 6, 1963 at the Imperial Theatre (New York City)
Fagin: Ron Moody
Nancy: Georgia Brown
Bill Sikes: Danny Sewell
Artful Dodger: Martin Horsey
Mr. Sowerberry: Barry Humphries
Oliver Twist: Keith Hamshere
Fagin: Clive Revill
Nancy: Georgia Brown
Bill Sikes: Danny Sewell
Artful Dodger: Davy Jones
Mr. Sowerberry: Barry Humphries
Oliver Twist: Bruce Prochnik
Best Actor in a Musical: Robert Lindsay
Best Musical Revival: Oliver!
Best Actor in a Musical: Rowan Atkinson
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical: Jodie Prenger
Best Lighting Design: Paule Constable & Ben Jacobs
Best Regional Production: Oliver!
Best Original Score: Lionel Bart
Best Conductor and Musical Director: Don Pippin
Best Scenic Design: Sean Kenny
You can find the next few performances of Oliver! below or check out the FULL MUSICAL THEATRE SHOW CALENDAR where you can filter results by country, city, and date.
ACT ONE
Prologue
Food, Glorious Food
Oliver
Boy for Sale
That’s Your Funeral
Where is Love?
I Shall Scream
Consider Yourself
Consider Yourself – Reprise
You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two
Sikes & Nancy
It’s a Fine Life
I’d Do Anything
Be Back Soon
ACT TWO
Oom-Pah-Pah
My Name
As Long As He Needs Me
Who Will Buy?
Reviewing the Situation
Oliver – Reprise
As Long As He Needs Me – Reprise
London Bridge
Reviewing the Situation – Reprise
Finale
Cherilyn J. Lee, also the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Ballet Herald, is a former professional ballerina, educator, and school director. Since her first entrepreneurial endeavor to publish insight and stories relevant to the ballet space has proven itself valuable, she has decided to continue sharing appreciation of the performing arts via The Musical Digest. Having spent her formative years walking amongst the excitement and talent abound between Herald Square and Lincoln Center, Cherilyn brings her love for the music, dance, and drama that only innovative stage productions can inspire. She hopes you will join in the incomparable anticipation as the lights go down and the sounds of the orchestra tuning to A fill the theater.
© 2026 The Musical Digest™ by BalletNomad
© 2026 The Musical Digest™ by BalletNomad