Editing Oliver!

{{Short description|1960 English musical by Lionel Bart}}
{{About|the musical|the 1968 film adaptation|Oliver! (film)}}
{{Needs more sources|date=May 2022}}{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox Musical
|name= Oliver!
|image= OLIVER111.jpeg
|caption= Original theatre programme and poster
|music= [[Lionel Bart]]
|lyrics=  Lionel Bart 
|book= Lionel Bart
|basis= ''[[Oliver Twist]]''<br />by [[Charles Dickens]]
|productions= {{plainlist|
* 1960 [[West End theatre|West End]]
* 1962 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]
* 1977 West End revival
* 1984 Broadway [[revival (theatre)|revival]]
* 1994 West End revival
* 2009 West End revival
* 2011 UK Tour
* 2024 [[West End theatre|West End]] Revival 
}}
<!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards -->
|awards= [[Tony Award for Best Original Score]]
}}

'''''Oliver!''''' is a [[Musical theatre|stage musical]], with book, music and lyrics by [[Lionel Bart]]. The musical is based upon the 1838 novel ''[[Oliver Twist]]'' by [[Charles Dickens]].

It premiered at the [[Wimbledon Theatre]], southwest London in 1960 before opening in the [[West End theatre|West End]], where it enjoyed a record-breaking long run. ''Oliver!'' ran on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]], after being brought to the U.S. by producer [[David Merrick]] in 1963. Major London revivals played from 1977 to 1980, 1994 to 1998, 2008 to 2011 and on tour in the UK from 2011 to 2013. Additionally, its [[Oliver! (film)|1968 film adaptation]], directed by [[Carol Reed]], won six [[Academy Awards]] including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]].

''Oliver!'' received thousands of performances in British schools, becoming one of the most popular school musicals.<ref>{{cite news |title=West End rules force 'Oliver' off school stage |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/west-end-rules-force-oliver-off-school-stage-1410625.html |access-date=29 July 2019 |work=The Independent}}</ref> In 1963 Lionel Bart received the [[Tony Award for Best Original Score]]. Many songs are well known to the public, such as "[[Food, Glorious Food]]", "[[Consider Yourself]]" and "[[I'd Do Anything (Oliver! song)|I'd Do Anything]]".<ref>{{cite news|title=Oliver!: The real story of Britain's greatest musical|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/oliver-the-real-story-of-britains-greatest-musical-1232964.html|work=[[The Independent]]|date=17 March 2017}}</ref>

==Background==
''Oliver!'' was the first musical adaptation of a famous Charles Dickens work to become a stage hit. There had been two previous Dickens musicals in the 1950s, both of them television adaptations of ''[[A Christmas Carol]]''. The plot of Dickens's original novel is considerably simplified for the purposes of the musical, with [[Fagin]] being represented more as a comic character than as a villain, and large portions of the latter part of the story being completely left out. Although Dickens's novel has been called [[antisemitism|antisemitic]] in its portrayal of the Jewish Fagin as evil, the production by Bart (himself Jewish) was more sympathetic and featured many Jewish actors in leading roles: [[Ron Moody]] (Ronald Moodnick), [[Georgia Brown (English singer)|Georgia Brown]] (Lilian Klot), and Martin Horsey.<ref>{{cite book|title=Dickens Adapted|year=2017|publisher=Taylor & Francis|editor=John Glavin|isbn=978-1351944564}}</ref>

==Synopsis==

===Act I===
The musical opens in the workhouse, as the half-starved orphan boys are entering the enormous dining hall for supper. They are fed only [[gruel]], but find some solace by imagining a richer menu ("Food Glorious Food"). Oliver gathers up the courage to ask for more, and is immediately apprehended by [[parish]] [[beadle]] [[Bumble (Oliver Twist)|Mr. Bumble]] and the Widow Corney, the heartless and greedy caretakers of the workhouse ("[[Oliver! (song)|Oliver!]]"). Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney are left alone, and Mr. Bumble begins to make amorous advances ("I Shall Scream!"). Mrs. Corney pretends to resent his attentions, but ends up on Mr. Bumble's lap, as he eventually proposes to her. Mr. Bumble then takes Oliver and sells him as an apprentice to an undertaker, [[Mr. Sowerberry]] ("Boy for Sale"). Mr. Sowerberry and his wife taunt Oliver and Mr. Bumble ("That's Your Funeral"), causing Mr. Bumble to become angry and storm out. Oliver is sent to sleep in the basement with the coffins ("[[Where Is Love?]]").

The next morning, Noah Claypole, another employee of Mr. Sowerberry, insults Oliver's dead mother, whereupon Oliver begins pummeling him. Mrs. Sowerberry and her daughter, Charlotte, who is also Noah's girlfriend, run in. The three lock Oliver inside a coffin, and Mr. Bumble is sent for. The entrance of an intoxicated Mr. Sowerberry doesn't aid matters, and during all the commotion Oliver escapes. After a week on the run, he ends up in the city of London and meets a boy about 16 years old known as the [[Artful Dodger]]. Dodger seems a kindly boy, and welcomes Oliver to join him and his friends ("[[Consider Yourself]]"). Dodger is, unknown to Oliver, a [[pickpocket]], and invites Oliver to come and live in [[Fagin]]'s lair. Fagin is a veteran criminal "[[fence (criminal)|fence]]" who sends out young boys as pickpockets. Oliver is completely unaware of any criminality and believes that the boys make handkerchiefs rather than steal them. Oliver is introduced to Fagin and his boys and taught their ways ("[[You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two]]").

The next day, Oliver meets [[Nancy (Oliver Twist)|Nancy]], an older member of Fagin's gang and the girlfriend of Fagin's terrifying associate [[Bill Sikes]], a brutal house-[[burglar]] whose abuse she endures because she loves him. Nancy, along with her good friend Bet and the boys sing about how they mostly like their unconventional if dangerous lifestyle ("It's a Fine Life"). Oliver bows deeply to Nancy and Bet, trying to be polite. All the boys laugh and mimic Oliver. Nancy singles out Dodger to demonstrate the way the rich people treat each other ("[[I'd Do Anything (Oliver! song)|I'd Do Anything]]"). Nancy and Bet leave, and Oliver is sent out with the other boys on his first pickpocketing job ("[[Be Back Soon]]"). Fagin tells Oliver to go with Dodger and another boy named [[Charley Bates]], but when Dodger and Charley steal a handkerchief from [[Mr. Brownlow]], a wealthy old man, they run off, leaving the horrified Oliver to be arrested for the crime ("The Robbery").

===Act II===
[[File:Oliver! at the Imperial Theatre (The Broadway version).jpg|upright|thumb|left|The Broadway version of ''Oliver!'' at the [[Imperial Theatre]]]]

In the Three Cripples pub, at the request of boisterous customers, Nancy strikes up an old tavern song with the low-life ruffians, ("[[Oom-Pah-Pah]]"). Bill Sikes makes his first appearance and disperses the crowd ("My Name"). Dodger runs in and tells Fagin about Oliver's capture and removal to the Brownlow household. Worried that Oliver will "blow upon them" (i.e. betray the gang to the authorities), Fagin and Bill decide to abduct Oliver and bring him back to the den, with Nancy's help. Nancy, who has come to care for Oliver, at first refuses to help, but Bill physically abuses her and forces her into obedience. In spite of this, Nancy still loves Bill and believes he loves her too ("[[As Long as He Needs Me]]").

The next morning, at Mr. Brownlow's house in Bloomsbury, Mrs. Bedwin, the housekeeper, sings to Oliver ("Where Is Love? [Reprise]"), and Oliver wakes up as street-sellers begin their day's work outside ("Who Will Buy?"). Mr. Brownlow and Dr. Grimwig decide that Oliver is well enough to go outside, so Brownlow sends Oliver to return some books to the bookseller. Oliver sees a group of street vendors and joins them in song ("Who Will Buy? [Reprise]"). As the vendors leave, Nancy and Bill appear and grab Oliver. They bring him back to Fagin's den, where Nancy saves Oliver from a beating from Sikes after the boy tries to flee. Nancy remorsefully reviews their dreadful life, but Bill maintains that any living is better than none while Fagin tries to smooth things over ("It's A Fine Life [Reprise]"). Left alone, Fagin ponders his current existence and possible life changes ("Reviewing the Situation"); however, after thinking of various excuses, he elects to stay just as he is.

Back at the workhouse, Mr. Bumble and the Widow Corney, now unhappily married, are told by the dying pauper Old Sally that Oliver's mother, Agnes, left a gold locket when she died in childbirth. Old Sally had stolen the locket, which she gives to the Widow Corney before she dies. Mr. and Mrs. Bumble realize that Oliver may have wealthy relatives ("Oliver! [Reprise]") and visit Mr. Brownlow (who has advertised for news of Oliver), hoping to profit from any reward given for information. Mr. Brownlow realizes they are not interested in Oliver's welfare but only money and throws them out. Recognizing the picture inside the locket as a picture of his daughter, he realizes that Oliver is actually his grandson.

Nancy visits Mr. Brownlow, explains how she and Bill abducted Oliver, and remorsefully promises to deliver Oliver to him safely that night on [[London Bridge]] but refuses to give up her fellow gang members. She ponders again about Bill ("As Long as He Needs Me [Reprise]"). Suspecting Nancy, Bill follows her as she sneaks Oliver out of Fagin's den. At London Bridge, he confronts them and viciously clubs Nancy to death. He then grabs Oliver and runs off. Mr. Brownlow arrives and discovers Nancy's body. A large crowd forms, among them the distraught Bet. Bullseye, Bill's [[terrier]], turns on his master and returns to the scene of the crime, and the crowd prepares to follow him. After Sikes brings Oliver to Fagin's hideout looking for aid, Fagin and his boys flee in panic. The constables break in, and Dodger is arrested before he can escape. Not finding Bill at the hideout, the crowd returns to the [[Thames Embankment]]. Bill appears at the top of the bridge, holding Oliver as hostage and threatening to kill him. When a memory of the dead Nancy freezes Sikes, two policemen sneak up on him, and one of them shoots Bill while the other grabs Oliver. After Oliver is reunited with Mr. Brownlow, the mob disperses. Fagin appears and decides that the time has never looked better for him to straighten out his life ("Reviewing the Situation [Reprise]").

==Musical numbers==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-1-of-2}}
'''Act I'''
* "[[Food, Glorious Food]]" – Workhouse Boys
* "[[Oliver! (song)|Oliver!]]" – Mr Bumble, Widow Corney, Boys and Governors
* "I Shall Scream" – Mr Bumble and Widow Corney
* "Boy for Sale" – Mr Bumble
* "That's Your Funeral" – Mr Sowerberry, Mrs Sowerberry, and Mr Bumble
* "[[Where Is Love?]]" – Oliver
* "[[Consider Yourself]]" – The Artful Dodger, Oliver, and Chorus
* "[[You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two]]" – Fagin and Fagin's Gang
* "It's a Fine Life" – Nancy, Bet, and Fagin's Gang
* "[[I'd Do Anything (Oliver! song)|I'd Do Anything]]" – The Artful Dodger, Nancy, Oliver, Bet, Fagin, and Fagin's Gang
* "[[Be Back Soon]]" – Fagin, The Artful Dodger, Oliver and Fagin's Gang
{{col-2-of-2}}
'''Act II'''
* "[[Oom-Pah-Pah]]" – Nancy and Chorus
* "My Name" – Bill Sikes
* "[[As Long as He Needs Me]]" – Nancy
* "Where Is Love?" (Reprise) #– Mrs Bedwin
* "Who Will Buy?" – Oliver, Vendors, and Chorus
* "It's a Fine Life" (Reprise) #– Bill Sikes, Nancy, Fagin, and The Artful Dodger
* "Reviewing the Situation" – Fagin
* "Oliver!" (Reprise) – Mr Bumble and Widow Corney
* "As Long as He Needs Me" (Reprise) – Nancy
* "Reviewing the Situation" (Reprise) – Fagin
* Finale ("Food, Glorious Food", "Consider Yourself" and "I'd Do Anything") – Company
{{col-end}}
(# indicates songs not on the original London recording. The Broadway recording drops "That's Your Funeral" and the Act II reprise of "Oliver!". The 1994 and 2009 London recordings include the Coffin Music, The Robbery, the reprises of "Where is Love" and "It's a Fine Life" and the London Bridge scene.)

==Production history==

===Original London production===
''Oliver!'' premiered at the [[Wimbledon Theatre]] for a preliminary engagement before opening at the New Theatre (now the [[Noël Coward Theatre]], formerly the Albery) on 30 June 1960 and ran for 2,618 performances, a record for a musical in London at the time.<ref>[http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_o/oliver.htm "'Oliver!' listing"] guidetomusicaltheatre.com</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|page=1|title=West End 'Oliver' Had Record Run|date=14 September 1966}}</ref> Directed by [[Peter Coe (director)|Peter Coe]], the choreographer was Malcolm Clare and costumes and scenery were by [[Sean Kenny (theatre designer)|Sean Kenny]]. The original cast featured [[Ron Moody]] as [[Fagin]], [[Georgia Brown (English singer)|Georgia Brown]] as [[Nancy (Oliver Twist)|Nancy]], and [[Barry Humphries]] in the supporting role of Mr. Sowerberry, the undertaker. Keith Hamshere (the original Oliver) is now a Hollywood still photographer; Martin Horsey (the original Artful Dodger) worked as an actor/director and authored the play ''L'Chaim''.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} Other boys who alternated in the juvenile leads included [[Phil Collins]], [[Leonard Whiting]] and [[Davy Jones (actor)|Davy Jones]] as the [[Artful Dodger]]. The cast also included [[Tony Robinson]] as one of the Workhouse boys/Fagin's Gang, and [[John Bluthal]] as Fagin. Former professional boxer [[Danny Sewell]] was the original Bill Sikes and remained in the role (including the original Broadway and US touring productions) for almost six years.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} [[Steve Marriott]] played workhouse boys including The Artful Dodger, and he is featured on the original soundtrack LP. [[Michael Cashman]] played the role of [[Oliver Twist (character)|Oliver]] during his time in the production.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}

[[Sid James]] turned down the part of Fagin as the timing of the production coincided with his own attempts to move away from the shady and roguish roles for which he was well known.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Ross|first1=Robert|title=Sid James – The Authorised Biography|publisher=JR Books|isbn=978-1-906779-35-1|page=87|year=2009}}</ref>

===Original Broadway production===
[[File:Clive Revill Fagin Oliver 1963.jpg|thumb|[[Clive Revill]] as Fagin in the Broadway production of ''Oliver!'']]
[[David Merrick]] brought ''Oliver!'' to the Broadway stage, where it premiered at the [[Imperial Theatre]] on 6 January 1963. It closed on 14 November 1964, after 774 performances.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/2976 |title=''Oliver!'' |website=IBDB.com |publisher=[[Internet Broadway Database]] }} First Broadway production</ref> The cast featured child actor Bruce Prochnik in the title role alongside [[Georgia Brown (English singer)|Georgia Brown]], [[Danny Sewell]] and [[Barry Humphries]], reprising their West End roles as Nancy, Bill Sikes and Mr. Sowerberry, respectively, and [[Clive Revill]] as Fagin, replacing [[Ron Moody]]. The national tour and cast recording featured Michael Goodman as The Artful Dodger, but on Broadway the role was played by future Monkee [[Davy Jones (actor)|Davy Jones]], another veteran of the London production. The Broadway production was a critical success and received ten [[Tony Award]] nominations, including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical and Best Featured Actor in a Musical. It won the awards for Best Scenic Design, Best Original Score and Best Music Direction. The Broadway production was revived shortly after the original production closed. The revival opened in 1965 and was directed by Peter Coe. It ran at the [[Martin Beck Theatre]] for 64 performances, featuring Victor Stiles as Oliver, [[Robin Ramsay (actor)|Robin Ramsay]] as Fagin, Maura K. Wedge as Nancy, Joey Baio as The Artful Dodger, [[Dominic Chianese]] as Mr. Sowerberry, [[Alan Crofoot]] as Mr. Bumble, [[Danny Sewell]] as Bill Sikes, Bram Nossen as Mr. Brownlow, and [[Dodi Protero]] as Mrs. Bedwin. The cast recording was done in Los Angeles in advance of its New York opening.<ref>"RCA Caster Jumps Gun." Music Business 9:3 (6 March 1965), 3.</ref>

Georgia Brown, Davy Jones, Ronnie Kroll, Joan Lombardo, and Robin Ramsay appeared performing two musical numbers from ''Oliver!'' ("I'd Do Anything" and the Act II reprise of "As Long as He Needs Me") on ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'' on the evening of 9 February 1964, the same evening that the [[Beatles]] made their first U.S. television appearance on that show.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0724669/ |title=''The Ed Sullivan Show'' Episode #17.19, 9 February 1964 |publisher=[[IMDb]] }}</ref><ref>[https://www.masterworksbroadway.com/blog/remembering-a-most-famous-date-in-music/ Masterworks Broadway]</ref>

===1967 and 1977 West End revivals===
A revival opened in April 1967 at the [[Piccadilly Theatre]], starring Paul Bartlett as the title character and [[Barry Humphries]] as Fagin, with [[Marti Webb]] as Nancy, running for 331 performances. It was directed by David Phethean, produced by [[Donald Albery]], with sets by [[Sean Kenny (theatre designer)|Sean Kenney]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Wearing | first = J. P.  | title = The London Stage 1960–1980: A Calendar of Dramatic Productions | date = 2021| location = London| publisher = Word Press | url= https://jpwearing.wordpress.com/category/the-london-stage-1960-1980-chronological-record|pages=466–467}}</ref>

[[Cameron Mackintosh]] produced a revival opening on 21 December 1977 at the Albery Theatre (the renamed New Theatre; now the [[Noël Coward Theatre]]), starring [[Roy Hudd]] as Fagin (later replaced by [[Roy Dotrice]] and then [[George Layton]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/actor-george-layton-and-pop-singer-helen-shapiro-who-are-co-news-photo/3265950|title=Actor George Layton and pop singer Helen Shapiro who are co-starring...|website=Getty Images|date=8 April 2004 |language=en-us|access-date=2019-07-27}}</ref>) and ran until 20 September 1980, following a three-week try-out at the [[Alexandra Theatre (Birmingham)|Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham]] from 6 September 1977.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roy Hudd "OLIVER!" Gillian Burns / Joan Turner / Lionel Bart 1977 Tryout Program |url=https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402780106717 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=eBay |language=en-gb}}</ref> This production was totally faithful to the 1960 original version, using Sean Kenny's set. The original production's sepia background painted on the rear stage wall was still extant.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}

===1983 West End and Broadway revivals===
Mackintosh was asked to revive the show yet again in 1983 for a limited five-week Christmas season at the [[Aldwych Theatre]], directed by Peter Coe. Ron Moody returned as Fagin, with Jackie Marks as Nancy, [[Linal Haft]] as Bill Sikes, [[Meg Johnson (actress)|Meg Johnson]] as Mrs Corney, [[Peter Bayliss]] as [[Bumble (Oliver Twist)|Mr. Bumble]], and Geoffrey Toone as Mr Brownlow. Oliver was played by Anthony Pearson and the Artful Dodger by David Garlick. The original Sean Kenny sets were used. The last professional production to use Sean Kenny's original stage design was at the [[Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch|Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch, Essex]], in 1986. This production starred [[Victor Spinetti]] as Fagin.

The production transferred to Broadway in 1984. It opened at the [[Mark Hellinger Theatre]] and ran from 29 April 1984 through 13 May 1984, for 17 performances and 13 previews. [[Ron Moody]] reprised the role of Fagin and [[Patti LuPone]] played Nancy. David Garlick reprised his West End performance as The Artful Dodger, the first British youngster to appear on Broadway since [[Davy Jones (actor)|Davy Jones]], creating the [[Actors Equity|Equity]] Exchange Program in the process. The original creative staff were used for this production, including director Peter Coe. For this production, the song "I Shall Scream" was eliminated.

LuPone, in her memoirs, said that the production should have run longer, noting that this production utilized the original sets, costumes, blocking (staging), and direction, and commented: "Hmm...maybe 'that' was the problem".<ref name=memoirs>[[Patti Lupone|LuPone, Patti]]. [https://books.google.com/books?id=oGseFpi7QG0C&pg=PA154 "Chapter: A Working Actor, Part 1"], ''Patti LuPone: A Memoir'', Random House, Inc., 2010, {{ISBN|0-307-46073-8}}, pp. 154–155</ref> Moody was nominated for a Tony Award despite the short run. The show only received one negative review; it was from [[Frank Rich]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' who called the production "likely to hold the attention of only the youngest and most obedient children" and "just dull".<ref>[[Frank Rich|Rich, Frank]]. "Review Moody in ''Oliver!'' Revival", ''[[The New York Times]]'', 30 April 1984, p. C11</ref> It prompted one of the main backers to pull out. The positive reviews were quoted in the ad for the show, including a [[Clive Barnes]] quote: "''Oliver!'' is glorious food for Broadway".<ref>"Ad for ''Oliver!''", ''[[The New York Times]]'', 13 May 1984, p. A13</ref>

LuPone had asked the show's Musical Director to change her keys because they were too low for her, but was told she could not. She wrote that she "had major battles with the musical director", one concerning the term "vamp"; "he never waited for me to finish my dialogue."<ref name=memoirs/>

===1994 West End revival===
[[Cameron Mackintosh]] produced another revival of the show which opened at the [[London Palladium]] in the West End on 8 December 1994. The production team included a young [[Sam Mendes]] as director, with [[Anthony Ward]] as designer, [[Matthew Bourne]] as choreographer, [[Martin Koch (orchestrator)|Martin Koch]] as music supervisor and [[William David Brohn]] as [[orchestrator]]. The cast included [[Jonathan Pryce]] (after much persuasion) as Fagin, [[Sally Dexter]] as Nancy, [[Miles Anderson]] as Bill Sikes, [[James Villiers]] as Mr. Brownlow, [[James Saxon (actor)|James Saxon]] as [[Bumble (Oliver Twist)|Mr. Bumble]], [[Jenny Galloway]] as Widow Corney, David Delve as Mr. Sowerberry and [[Julia Deakin]] as Mrs. Sowerberry. The role of Oliver was played by numerous child actors during the run of four years, including Gregory Bradley, Ben Reynolds, [[Jon Lee (singer)|Jon Lee]], [[Steven Webb]], [[James Bourne]],  Simon Schofield, James Rowntree and [[Tom Fletcher]], while the Artful Dodger was played by [[Adam Searles]] and others including Matt Johnson, Paul Bailey and Bronson Webb. The role of Bet was played by [[Danielle McCormack]], Rosalind James, [[Francesca Jackson]] and [[Lindsey Fawcett]].<ref>Wolf, Matt. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121114111228/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117903458.html "Review: ''Oliver!''"], ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', 12 December 1994</ref> The role of Fagin was later played by many notable British actors and comedians including [[George Layton]], [[Russ Abbot]], [[Jim Dale]] and [[Robert Lindsay (actor)|Robert Lindsay]] (who won an [[Olivier Award]] for his performance in 1997). Bill Sikes was later portrayed by [[Steven Hartley]] and [[Joe McGann]], and Nancy by Sonia Swaby, [[Claire Moore (singer)|Claire Moore]] and [[Ruthie Henshall]]. The musical closed on 21 February 1998.<ref>[http://www.thisistheatre.com/shows/londonp124.html "''Oliver!'' listing, 1994–1998"] thisistheatre.com, retrieved 28 May 2010</ref>

==== 1998 UK tour ====
Following the Palladium production, a UK tour produced by Mackintosh (in co-production with [[Theatre Royal, Plymouth]]) began in 1998 starring [[Gary Wilmot]] as Fagin, Sonia Swaby as Nancy and David Birrell as Bill Sikes.

===2008 West End revival===
[[File:Oliver Theatre Royal Bill Board.jpg|thumb|right|''Oliver!'' bill board at the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]] in 2009.]]
A production heavily based upon the 1994 Palladium production began previews at the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]] on 12 December 2008 (with an opening night on 14 January 2009). Produced once again by Cameron Mackintosh, this revival was directed by Shakespeare expert [[Rupert Goold]] and choreographed/co-directed by Matthew Bourne. Anthony Ward repeated his acclaimed scenic and costume designs while [[William David Brohn]] returned as [[orchestrator]], revising some of the musical arrangements. Designer Anthony Ward created a new [[cobblestone]] effect for the entire stage while Brohn expanded the orchestrations with new dance arrangements given to "Consider Yourself" and "Who Will Buy?" as well as new curtain call/exit music. The prologue from the Palladium production was removed, and the show now opens as it originally did in 1960, with the workhouse children entering, singing "[[Food, Glorious Food]]".{{fact|date=December 2023}}

British comedian [[Rowan Atkinson]] played [[Fagin]]. He had played the role in a school production but had turned it down in the Palladium revival. [[Burn Gorman]] played Bill Sikes, making his West End musical debut. Three actors shared the role of Oliver: Harry Stott, Laurence Jeffcoate and Gwion Wyn Jones. [[Robert Madge (actor)|Rob Madge]], Ross McCormack, Eric Dibb Fuller and Jack Glister played The Artful Dodger. [[Jodie Prenger]] won the role of Nancy, shared with Australian [[Tamsin Carroll]], who played two performances each week. [[Sarah Lark]], a runner-up on "I'd do Anything" understudied the role. [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] actor [[Julian Glover]] played Mr. Brownlow with [[Julian Bleach]] as Mr. Sowerberry/Dr. Grimwig, [[Louise Gold]] as Mrs. Sowerberry, Julius D'Silva as [[Bumble (Oliver Twist)|Mr. Bumble]] and Wendy Ferguson as Widow Corney. The revival was nominated for three 2010 [[Olivier Award]]s: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Atkinson) and Best Theatre Choreography, but failed to win any. After the departure of the original Olivers, the role was passed on to Zac Hurst, Francesco Piancentini-Smith, Edward Cooke, Edward Holtom and Ethan Smith. Edward Holtom left the role one month before his scheduled departure, when his contract expired. No reason was given for this.

When Rowan Atkinson fell ill in April 2009, Russ Abbot stepped in to play the role temporarily who previously starred in the 1997 Palladium run.<ref>Shenton, Mark. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/127963-Stepping-in-for-Ailing-Atkinson-Abbot-Will-Play-Fagin-in-London-Oliver "Stepping in for Ailing Atkinson, Abbot Will Play Fagin in London ''Oliver!''"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228161754/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/127963-Stepping-in-for-Ailing-Atkinson-Abbot-Will-Play-Fagin-in-London-Oliver |date=2011-12-28}}, ''[[Playbill]]'', 3 April 2009</ref> In July 2009, British comedian [[Omid Djalili]] replaced Atkinson as Fagin,<ref>Shenton, Mark. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/131260-Djalili-Succeeds-Atkinson-as-Fagin-in-Londons-Oliver-Beginning-July-20 "Djalili Succeeds Atkinson as Fagin in London's ''Oliver!'' Beginning July 20"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228164210/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/131260-Djalili-Succeeds-Atkinson-as-Fagin-in-Londons-Oliver-Beginning-July-20 |date=2011-12-28}}. ''[[Playbill]]'', 20 July 2009</ref> receiving positive reviews. In December 2009, [[Griff Rhys Jones]] took over as Fagin, with [[Steven Hartley]] as Bill Sikes.<ref>Paddock, Terri. [http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/09-2009/griff-rhys-jones-takes-over-olivers-fagin-14-dec_15869.html "Griff Rhys Jones Takes Over ''Oliver!''{{'}}s Fagin, 14 Dec"]. whatsonstage.com, 14 December 2009</ref> Hartley had played Sikes in the 1997 Palladium production. In March 2010, [[Kerry Ellis]] took over the role of Nancy, also receiving positive reviews.<ref>[http://www.whatsonstage.com/photos/theatre/london/E8831269958141/Photos%3A+Kerry+Ellis+Gives+Oliver!+New+Oom-pah-pah+.html "Kerry Ellis Gives ''Oliver!'' New Oom-pah-pah"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406173237/http://www.whatsonstage.com/photos/theatre/london/E8831269958141/Photos:+Kerry+Ellis+Gives+Oliver!+New+Oom-pah-pah+.html |date=2010-04-06}}. Whatsonstage.com, March 30, 2010</ref> Bleach, D'Silva, and Ferguson were replaced by Jason Morell, Christian Patterson, and Claire Machin, respectively. In June 2010, Russ Abbot again took over as Fagin. Stephen Moore was a replacement for Mr. Brownlow. [[Ron Moody]], the original Fagin, joined the cast at the end of the performance on 14 June 2010, in celebration of the show's 50th Anniversary.<ref name=BWW-Close>[https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/West-Ends-OLIVER-to-Close-Jan-8-SHREK-on-His-Way-20100623 West End's OLIVER! to Close Jan 8; SHREK on His Way?] Broadway World 23 June 2010</ref> Griff Rhys Jones returned as Fagin in December 2010.<ref>[https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/musical-cast-rhys-jones-oliver-matilda-bells_11679/ Musical Cast: Rhys Jones Oliver!, Matilda & Bells], ''WhatsonStage'' 13 September 2010</ref>

The production closed on 8 January 2011, to be replaced at the theatre by the original London production of ''[[Shrek The Musical]]''.<ref name=BWW-Close/><ref>[http://www.playbill.com/article/shrek-the-musical-to-open-at-theatre-royal-drury-lane-in-may-2011-com-169777 ''Shrek The Musical'' to Open at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in May 2011], ''[[Playbill]]'' 2 July 2010</ref>

==== 2011–13 UK and Ireland tour ====
After the 2009 revival closed in January 2011, Cameron Mackintosh announced that a new production based on the Drury Lane production with a new set and direction by Laurence Connor would embark on a 13-month UK and Ireland tour beginning at the [[Wales Millennium Centre|Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff]] in December 2011 and ending February 2013 at the [[Bristol Hippodrome]]. The tour was announced to star [[Neil Morrissey]] and [[Brian Conley]] sharing the role of Fagin and [[Samantha Barks]] (who came third in the BBC reality show ''[[I'd Do Anything (BBC TV series)|I'd Do Anything]]'', which was won by [[Jodie Prenger]] to be cast in the 2009 revival as Nancy) as Nancy before sharing the role with [[Cat Simmons]] while Barks left to appear as [[Éponine]] in the film adaptation of [[Les Misérables (2012 film)|''Les Misérables'']] (after Mackintosh announced the casting in January 2011 during the curtain call of a performance at the [[Palace Theatre, Manchester]]).

===2023 Encores!===
In June 2022, it was announced [[New York City Center]] would stage ''Oliver'' as a part of its [[Encores!]] series.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2022/06/new-york-city-center-encores-light-in-the-piazza-dear-world-oliver-1235045093/ ‘Oliver!’, ‘The Light In The Piazza’ & ‘Dear World’ Set For New York City Center Encores! 2023 Season]</ref> The cast features [[Lilli Cooper]] (Nancy), [[Raúl Esparza]] (Fagin), Julian Lerner (The Artful Dodger), [[Tam Mutu]] (Bill Sikes), [[Brad Oscar]] (Mr. Bumble), Benjamin Pajak (Oliver), [[Michael Siberry]] (Mr. Brownlow), and [[Mary Testa]] (Widow Corney) with direction by Lear deBessonet. The production ran from May 3rd - 14th 2023.<ref>[https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2022-2023/oliver/ Encores 2023 Lionel Bart's Oliver!]</ref> [[Gavin Lee]] was the standby for Fagin but went on several times during the run.<ref>[https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Gavin-Lee-To-Go-On-as-Fagin-Tonight-in-OLIVER-at-New-York-City-Center-20230509 Gavin Lee To Go On as 'Fagin' Tonight in OLIVER! at New York City Center]</ref>

=== 2024 West End revival ===
A production presented by [[Cameron Mackintosh]] at the [[Gielgud Theatre]] in the West End began previews on 14 December 2024 with an opening night on 14 January 2025, following a sell-out season at [[Chichester Festival Theatre]] from 8 July to 7 September 2024. It is revised by Mackintosh and directed and choreographed by [[Matthew Bourne]], designed by [[Lez Brotherston]] with a cast including [[Simon Lipkin]] as Fagin, Shanay Holmes as Nancy, [[Aaron Sidwell]] as Bill Sikes, Billy Jenkins as the Artful Dodger, and [[Philip Franks]] as Mr. Brownlow.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 April 2024 |title=New West End production of ''Oliver!'' announced |url=https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/news/post/oliver-west-end-gielgud-theatre |work=London Box Office}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |title=See Who's Starring in Cameron Mackintosh's New Production of Oliver! |url=https://playbill.com/article/see-whos-starring-in-cameron-mackintoshs-new-production-of-oliver |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=Playbill.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cast - Oliver! The Musical {{!}} Gielgud Theatre{{!}} December 2024 |url=https://oliverthemusical.com/cast-creative/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=oliverthemusical.com}}</ref>

=== UK regional productions ===
In December 2013, a revival directed by [[Daniel Evans (actor)|Daniel Evans]] opened at the [[Crucible Theatre|Crucible Theatre, Sheffield]] with Tom Edden as Fagin for the festive season.

An actor-musician production opened at the [[Watermill Theatre|Watermill Theatre, Newbury]] directed by Luke Sheppard with a cast including [[Cameron Blakely]] as Fagin and [[Alice Fearn]] as Nancy which ran from 31 July to 19 September 2015.

In December 2015, a revival opened at the [[Curve (theatre)|Curve, Leicester]] for the festive season starring [[Peter Polycarpou]] as Fagin, [[Cat Simmons]] and [[Laura Pitt-Pulford]] as Nancy, directed by Paul Kerryson.

In November 2023, a production opened at the [[Leeds Playhouse]] (converting the theatre [[in the round]]) for the festive season directed by James Brining with a cast including [[Steve Furst]] as Fagin and [[Jenny Fitzpatrick]] as Nancy.

===International productions===
In 1963, Dutch musician Seth Gaaikema translated the musical into Dutch.

In 1968, Oliver was taken to Japan for 3 months with Sean Kenny's original set, by the Japanese film company Toho Productions. "[[Consider Yourself]]" was translated into Japanese for the final Curtain Calls. Directed by Geoff Ferris who had worked on the UK production in 1967. 
Australian actor [[Robin Ramsay (actor)|Robin Ramsay]] played Fagin. Most of the cast were British along with two original British boys, Ray Millross who played the Artful Dodger and Terry Latham who played Charlie Bates. Ray Millross had played one of the boys and Oliver in the original production at the then New Theatre in London and also shared the role of the Artful Dodger at the Piccadilly Theatre in London in 1967 before transferring to the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo, Japan in 1968 for 4 months. The rest of the workhouse boys and Fagin's gang were American including Robbie Benson, now a well known American Actor and Linda Purl who shared the role of Bet, also now a well known American Actor and Singer.

[[Vincent Price]] starred as Fagin in a 1974 summer stock production in Columbus, Ohio<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vincent-price-theatre-program-oliver-400415624 |title=RARE VINCENT PRICE THEATRE PROGRAM OLIVER KENLEY PLAYERS OHIO JULY 1974 |website=WorthPoint.com |access-date=18 May 2023}}</ref> and again in 1976 in a regional tour<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ovrtur.com/production/2901762 |title=Oliver!-Regional Tour (1976) |website=Ovrtur.com |access-date=18 May 2023}}</ref> that included The [[Music Hall at Fair Park]] in Dallas, Texas and [[The Muny|the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre]] ''(see "1976 [Season 58] - The Regular Season" of [[List of The Muny repertory]])''.

In 1983, a new production of ''Oliver'' was the first musical produced by [[Philadelphia]]'s [[Walnut Street Theatre]] as part of its inaugural season as a self-producing theatre.

The Australian tour was a successful trip through [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]], and [[Singapore]] from 2002 to 2004. The show, which mirrored [[Sam Mendes]]'s production, was recreated by Graham Gill. [[John Waters (actor)|John Waters]] played Fagin, Tamsin Carroll was Nancy, and the production also featured [[Stuart Wagstaff]], [[Steve Bastoni]] and Madison Orr and Keegan Joyce in the title role, which was rotated between the two. The role of the Artful Dodger was shared between [[Mathew Waters]] and Tim Matthews, with Waters performing on the opening night. Waters declined the tour after the Sydney production to appear in the Hollywood movie ''Peter Pan''.

A North American tour began in 2003, produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Networks. It ran till March 2005 and played most major theatrical venues in the U.S. and one in Canada. The show was directed by the London team which managed the Sam Mendes version in London and the Australian tour, with Graham Gill as director.<ref>Jones, Kenneth.[https://archive.today/20140908131126/http://staging.playbill.com/news/article/85270-Nearly-NYC-Mackintoshs-Oliver-Tour-Plays-Newarks-Prudential-Hall-March-30-April-4 "Nearly NYC: Mackintosh's ''Oliver!'' Tour Plays Newark's Prudential Hall March 30-April 4" (partial reference)], ''[[Playbill]]'', 30 March 2004</ref> The cast included Mark McCracken as Fagin, Renata Renee Wilson as Nancy and Justin S. Pereira as Oliver.<ref>Jones, Kenneth.[http://contests.playbill.com/news/article/82659-Non-Equity-Oliver-Inspired-by-Mackintosh-Revisal-in-London-Starts-US-Tour-Nov-11 "Non-Equity ''Oliver!'', Inspired by Mackintosh Revisal in London, Starts U.S. Tour Nov. 11"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715092930/http://contests.playbill.com/news/article/82659-Non-Equity-Oliver-Inspired-by-Mackintosh-Revisal-in-London-Starts-US-Tour-Nov-11 |date=2011-07-15 }}, ''[[Playbill]]'', 11 November 2003</ref> In October 2008 Columbia Artists Theatricals mounted a new North American National tour directed by Clayton Philips. The production toured until March 2009.

The first Estonian production of the show was presented in the early 1990s in Tartu. A revival ran in November–December 2003 with Aivar Tommingas as Fagin and Evelin Samuel as Nancy. The musical was performed also twice in Israel in 1966 and 2008 starring Shraga Fridman and Rivka Raz in the first production and [[Sasson Gabai]] and [[Ania Bukstein|Ania Bukshtein]] in the second. In December 2010 a [[Dutch language]] version of the musical opened in [[Ghent|Gent]], Belgium, to be transferred at the end of the same month to [[Antwerp]]. In 2011 a Syrian production is to be performed at the [[Damascus Opera]]. In 2012 a new production was staged by Popular Productions in Dubai, UAE (First Group Theatre). It starred Philip Cox as Fagin and Lucy Hunter-James as Nancy.

==Principal characters==
* '''[[Oliver Twist (character)|Oliver Twist]]''', the main character of the story. He is a lonely orphan boy born in the workhouse who asks for more gruel.
* '''[[Fagin]]''', a conniving career criminal, takes in homeless boys and teaches them to pick pockets for him.
* '''[[Nancy (Oliver Twist)|Nancy]]''', Bill Sikes's partner. She takes a liking to Oliver and treats him and the pickpockets like her own children, but is eventually murdered for the steps she takes on Oliver's behalf.
* '''[[Bill Sikes]]''', Nancy's brutal and abusive partner, a burglar and her eventual murderer. One of Fagin's former successful pickpockets.
* '''[[Mr. Brownlow]]''', Oliver's grandfather, a kind man of wealth and breeding.
* '''[[Mr. Bumble]]''', the pompous [[beadle]] of the workhouse in which Oliver was born.
* '''[[The Artful Dodger]]''', the cleverest of Fagin's pickpockets, he introduces Fagin to Oliver. He is shown to be very close with Nancy.
* '''Bet''', Nancy's best friend. She is sometimes depicted as her sister.
*'''[[Charley Bates]]''', Dodger's friend and thief who is part of Fagin's gang. In the end of the book, he decides to change his morals and stop thieving.
* '''[[Mr. Sowerberry|Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry]]''', the insensitive couple who take in Oliver and use him in their funeral business.
* '''Widow Corney''', the matron of the workhouse where Oliver was born, later marries Mr. Bumble.
* '''Charlotte Sowerberry''', the rude and often flirtatious daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry. She enjoys a flirtatious relationship with Noah Claypole.
* '''[[Noah Claypole]]''', The Sowerberrys' apprentice, he bullies Oliver about his mother and enjoys a flirtatious relationship with Charlotte.
* '''Dr. Grimwig''', foppish doctor and friend of Mr. Brownlow. He assesses Oliver's condition at the beginning of Act II, deeming him fit to go outside.
* '''Mrs. Bedwin''', house-servant to Mr. Brownlow and caretaker of Oliver.
* '''[[Old Sally]]''', nurse at Oliver's birth. Old Sally steals Agnes's (Oliver's mother's) gold locket which is the only clue to Oliver's identity. Before she dies, she gives the locket to Mr. Bumble and Mrs. Corney.

==Film adaptations==
{{main|Oliver! (film)}}
In 1968, the show was adapted for film, with a screenplay by [[Vernon Harris]] and direction by [[Carol Reed]]. It starred original Fagin [[Ron Moody]] with [[Jack Wild]], [[Shani Wallis]], [[Oliver Reed]], [[Mark Lester]], [[Harry Secombe]] and [[Leonard Rossiter]]. The [[Oliver! (film)|1968 motion picture]] won six [[Academy Awards]] including Best Picture, and received nominations for both Moody and Wild. It was first telecast in the United States by [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC-TV]] in 1975. The film went to cable in the US in 1982, and it is still regularly broadcast.

On 1 March 2013, a planned remake of ''Oliver!'' was announced. It was originally aiming for a 2016 release. [[Cameron Mackintosh]], the producer of the [[Les Misérables (2012 film)|film version]] of the musical ''[[Les Misérables (musical)|Les Misérables]]'' was announced as producer, and potential talent included ''Les Misérables''' Samantha Barks, who played Nancy on the 2011-2013 UK Tour, repeating her part and Stephen Daldry as the director.<ref name="broadway.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/buzz/167711/will-les-miz-film-star-samantha-barks-make-her-broadway-debut-in-oliver/ |title=Will Les Miz Film Star Samantha Barks Make Her Broadway Debut in Oliver? &#124; Broadway Buzz |publisher=Broadway.com |date=2013-03-01 |access-date=2013-05-26}}</ref>

==Recordings==
The score of ''Oliver!'' has been recorded numerous times. There are cast recordings (on compact disc) available for the original London and Broadway productions as well as for the 1968 film and the 1994 and 2009 London revivals. The 2009 London cast album was recorded live on opening night.

There are several studio cast recordings of the show including with [[Stanley Holloway]] as Fagin and [[Alma Cogan]] as Nancy ([[Capitol Records]] ST 1784, 1962), [[Jon Pertwee]] (later  of ''[[Doctor Who]]'') fame as Fagin and [[Jim Dale]] as The Artful Dodger (Music for Pleasure MFP 1073, 1966), with [[Ian Carmichael]] as Fagin and [[Joyce Blair]] as Nancy ([[World Record Club]] S-7036, 1963) and with [[Josephine Barstow]] as Nancy, [[Sheila Hancock]] as Mrs. Corney and Julian Forsyth as Fagin (That's Entertainment Records/TER MUS C NO3, 1994; a new version was released in 2009 with [[Sally Ann Triplett]] replacing Barstow).

==Cast and characters==
The following table gives the principal casting information for the major-market productions of ''Oliver!''.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%;"
|-
! rowspan="2" |Character
! West End
! Broadway
!West End Revival
! Broadway Revival
! West End Revival
! West End Revival
! Broadway Revival
! West End Revival
! West End Revival
! West End Revival
|-
!<small>1960</small>
!<small>1963</small>
!<small>1967</small>
!<small>1965</small>
!<small>1977</small>
!<small>1983</small>
!<small>1984</small>
!<small>1994</small>
!<small>2008</small>
!<small>2024</small>
|-
! Fagin
| align="center" |[[Ron Moody]]
| align="center" |[[Clive Revill]]
| align="center" |[[Barry Humphries]]<hr>Robin Ramsay
| align="center" |[[Robin Ramsay (actor)|Robin Ramsay]]
| align="center" |[[Roy Hudd]]
| colspan="2" |[[Ron Moody]]
| align="center" |[[Jonathan Pryce]]
| align="center" |[[Rowan Atkinson]]
| align="center" |[[Simon Lipkin]]
|-
! Nancy
| align="center" |[[Georgia Brown (English singer)|Georgia Brown]]
| align="center" |Georgia Brown
| align="center" |[[Marti Webb]]
| align="center" |Maura K. Wedge
| align="center" |Gillian Burns
| align="center" |Jackie Marks
| align="center" |[[Patti LuPone]]
| align="center" |[[Sally Dexter]]
| align="center" |[[Jodie Prenger]]
| align="center" |Shanay Holmes
|-
! Bill Sikes
| align="center" |[[Danny Sewell]]
| colspan="3" align="center" |Danny Sewell
| align="center" |[[Michael Attwell]]
| align="center" |Linal Haft
| align="center" |Graeme Campbell
| align="center" |[[Miles Anderson]]
| align="center" |[[Burn Gorman]]
| align="center" |[[Aaron Sidwell]]
|-
! Oliver Twist
| align="center" |Keith Hamshere
| align="center" |Bruce Prochnik
| align="center" |Paul Bartlett<hr>Freddie Foot<hr>Steven Newman
| align="center" |Victor Stiles
| align="center" |Harvey Hillyer
| align="center" |Anthony Pearson
| align="center" |[[Braden Danner]]
| align="center" |James Daley<hr>Gregory Bradley
| align="center" |Tom Rogers<hr>Gwion Wyn Jones<hr>Laurence Jeffcoate<hr>[[Harry Stott]]
| align="center" |Cian Eagle-Service<hr>Raphael Korniets<hr>Jack Philipott<hr>Odo Rowntree-Bailly
|-
! The Artful Dodger
| align="center" |Martin Horsey
| align="center" |[[Davy Jones (musician)|David Jones]]
| align="center" |Leslie Stone<hr>Ray Millross<hr>Stephen Leigh 
| align="center" |George Priolo
| align="center" |John Savage<hr>Stephen Kebell
| colspan="2" align="center" |David Garlick
| align="center" |[[Adam Searles]]<hr>Paul Bailey
| align="center" |Ethan Williams<hr>Jack Glister<hr>Ross McCormack<hr>Eric Dibb Fuller<hr>[[Robert Madge (actor)|Robert Madge]]
| align="center" |Billy Jenkins
|-
! Mr. Bumble
| align="center" |[[Paul Whitsun-Jones]]
| align="center" |[[Willoughby Goddard]]
| align="center" |Tom De Ville
| align="center" |[[Alan Crofoot]]
| align="center" |Robert Bridges
| align="center" |[[Peter Bayliss]]
| align="center" |[[Michael McCarty]]
| align="center" |[[James Saxon (actor)|James Saxon]]
| align="center" |Julius D'Silva
| align="center" |Oscar Conlon-Morrey
|-
! Widow Corney
| align="center" |Hope Jackman
| align="center" |Hope Jackman
| align="center" |Pamela Pitchford
| align="center" |Dawna Shove
| align="center" |[[Joan Turner]]
| align="center" |[[Meg Johnson (actress)|Meg Johnson]]
| align="center" |[[Elizabeth Larner]]
| align="center" |[[Jenny Galloway]]
| align="center" |Wendy Ferguson
| align="center" |Katy Secombe
|-
! Mr. Sowerberry
| align="center" |[[Barry Humphries]]
| align="center" |Barry Humphries
| align="center" |Glynn Worsnip
| align="center" |John Miranda
| align="center" |Graham Hamilton
| align="center" |Richard Frost
| align="center" |Roderick Horn
| align="center" |David Delve
| align="center" |[[Julian Bleach]]
| align="center" |Stephen Matthews
|-
! Mrs. Sowerberry
| align="center" |Sonia Fraser
| align="center" |[[Helena Carroll]]
| align="center" |[[Edna Doré]]
| align="center" |Sherill Price
| align="center" |Jill Fletcher
| align="center" |Liz Moscrop
| align="center" |[[Frances Cuka]]
| align="center" |[[Julia Deakin]]
| align="center" |[[Louise Gold]]
| align="center" |Jamie Birkett
|-
! Mr. Brownlow
| align="center" |George Bishop
| align="center" |Geoffrey Lumb
| align="center" |[[Gavin Gordon (actor)|Gavin Gordon]]
| align="center" |Bram Nossen
| align="center" |Jack Allen
| align="center" |[[Geoffrey Toone]]
| align="center" |[[Michael Allinson]]
| align="center" |[[James Villiers]]
| align="center" |[[Julian Glover]]
| align="center" |[[Philip Franks]]
|}

=== Notable replacements ===

==== West End (1977) ====
* Fagin: [[Roy Dotrice]], [[George Layton]]

==== West End (1994–1998) ====
* Fagin: [[George Layton]], [[Russ Abbot]], [[Jim Dale]], [[Robert Lindsay (actor)|Robert Lindsay]], [[Barry Humphries]]
* Nancy: [[Claire Moore (singer)|Claire Moore]], [[Ruthie Henshall]]
* Bill Sikes: [[Steven Hartley]], [[Joe McGann]]

==== West End (2009–2011) ====
* Fagin: [[Omid Djalili]], [[Griff Rhys Jones]], [[Russ Abbot]]
* Nancy: [[Kerry Ellis]]
* Bill Sikes: [[Steven Hartley]]

==Awards and nominations==

===Original Broadway production===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:20%;"| Award
! style="width:35%;"| Category
! style="width:20%;"| Nominee
! style="width:10%;"| Result
|-
| rowspan="10" style="text-align:center;"| 1963
| rowspan="10"| [[Tony Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Tony Award for Best Musical|Best Musical]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical|Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Clive Revill]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical|Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Georgia Brown (English singer)|Georgia Brown]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical|Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Davy Jones (musician)|David Jones]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical|Best Author of a Musical]]
| [[Lionel Bart]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]
| [[Lionel Bart]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Producer of a Musical
| [[David Merrick]] and [[Donald Albery]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical|Best Direction of a Musical]]
| Peter Coe
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Conductor and Musical Director|Best Conductor and Musical Director]]
| [[Donald Pippin (Broadway director)|Don Pippin]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Scenic Design|Best Scenic Design]]
| Sean Kenny
| {{won}}
|}

===1984 Broadway revival===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:20%;"| Award
! style="width:35%;"| Category
! style="width:20%;"| Nominee
! style="width:10%;"| Result
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 1984
| [[Tony Award]]
| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical|Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Ron Moody]]
| {{nom}}
|}

===1994 London revival===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:20%;"| Award
! style="width:35%;"| Category
! style="width:20%;"| Nominee
! style="width:10%;"| Result
|-
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| 1995
| rowspan="5"| [[Laurence Olivier Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival|Best Musical Revival]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
| [[Sam Mendes]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Jonathan Pryce]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Sally Dexter]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| 1997
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Robert Lindsay (actor)|Robert Lindsay]]
| {{won}}
|}

===2009 London revival===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:20%;"| Award
! style="width:35%;"| Category
! style="width:20%;"| Nominee
! style="width:10%;"| Result
|-
| rowspan="8" style="text-align:center;"| 2010
| rowspan="3"| [[Laurence Olivier Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival|Best Musical Revival]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Rowan Atkinson]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer|Best Theatre Choreographer]]
| [[Matthew Bourne]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="5"| [[WhatsOnStage Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Best Musical Revival
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Actor in a Musical
| [[Rowan Atkinson]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
| [[Burn Gorman]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
| [[Jodie Prenger]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Takeover in a Role
| [[Omid Djalili]]
| {{nom}}
|}

===2009 Teatr Rozrywki w Chorzowie===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:20%;"| Award
! style="width:35%;"| Category
! style="width:20%;"| Nominee
! style="width:10%;"| Result
|-
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| 2010
| rowspan="3"| Gold Mask
|Gold mask for directing
| Magdalena Piekorz
|{{nom}}
|-
|Gold Mask for the role of Nancy
|Marta Florek
|{{nom}}
|-
|Gold Mask For scenography
|Marcel Sławiński & Katarzyna Sobańska
|{{won}}
|}

===2024 West End Revival===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%;"
|-
! style="width:5%;"| Year
! style="width:20%;"| Award
! style="width:35%;"| Category
! style="width:20%;"| Nominee
! style="width:10%;"| Result
|-
| rowspan="9" style="text-align:center;" | 2025
| rowspan="5"| [[WhatsOnStage Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Best Musical Revival
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Best Regional Production
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Choreography
| [[Matthew Bourne]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Costume Design
| [[Lez Brotherston]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Lighting Design
| [[Paule Constable]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[Laurence Olivier Awards]]
| colspan="2" | [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival|Best Musical Revival]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Simon Lipkin]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer|Best Theatre Choreographer]]
| [[Matthew Bourne]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design|Best Lighting Design]]
| [[Paule Constable]] & Ben Jacobs
| {{win}}
|}

''Oliver!'' was one of eight UK musicals featured on [[Royal Mail]] stamps, issued in February 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Royal Mail musicals stamps set to rock you! |url=https://www.royalmailgroup.com/en/press-centre/press-releases/royal-mail/royal-mail-musicals-stamps-set-to-rock-you/ |access-date=27 April 2019 |agency=Royal Mail group}}</ref>

==Sequel==
''Dodger!'', a sequel to [[Lionel Bart]]'s ''Oliver!'' was composed by Andrew Fletcher with the book and lyrics written by David Lambert. It is set seven years after the events in the novel ''[[Oliver Twist]]'' by [[Charles Dickens]] where the [[Artful Dodger]] has been sentenced to an Australian penal colony and has a romantic involvement with the character Bet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/norfolk/content/articles/2007/07/31/theatre_review_dodger_july07_feature.shtml |title=BBC Norfolk review of ''Dodger!''|publisher=Bbc.co.uk|date=2007-08-04|access-date=2013-05-26}}</ref>

==Ownership==
When Lionel Bart faced severe financial difficulties several years later, he sold his past and future rights to ''Oliver!'' to the entertainer [[Max Bygraves]] for £350. Bygraves later sold them on for £250,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/obituaries/feature.php/37286/max-bygraves |title=Max Bygraves – Obituaries |work=The Stage|access-date=2013-05-26}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|1960s}}
* ''[[August Rush]]''
* ''[[Becoming Nancy]],'' a 2011 novel by [[Terry Ronald]] about a boy being cast as Nancy in his school production of ''Oliver!'' Also adapted into a [[Becoming Nancy (musical)|stage musical]] in 2019.

==References and notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*[https://theatricalia.com/play/58m/oliver ''Oliver!''] at Theatricalia
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130311114621/http://www.oliverthemusical.com/ Official website] (archived)
*[http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_o/oliver.htm ''Oliver!''] at the Guide to Musical Theatre
*{{ibdb show|6726}}
*[http://arts.guardian.co.uk/curtainup/story/0,,979581,00.html ''Oliver!'' review] in ''[[The Guardian]]'', June 1960
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111122024648/http://www2.nac-cna.ca/en/englishtheatre/studyguide/oliver ''Oliver!'' Study Guide] at [[National Arts Centre]] (archived)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091124034330/http://justjohnproductions.com/ ''Oliver!''] at the 2009 [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]] (archived)

{{Oliver Twist}}
{{Lionel Bart}}
{{Andrew Lloyd Webber musical revival search}}
{{TonyAward MusicalScore 1947–1975}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1960 musicals]]
[[Category:Broadway musicals]]
[[Category:Musicals based on novels]]
[[Category:Musicals based on works by Charles Dickens]]
[[Category:Musicals set in the 19th century]]
[[Category:West End musicals]]
[[Category:Works based on Oliver Twist]]
[[Category:British musicals]]
[[Category:Tony Award–winning musicals]]
[[Category:Musicals set in London]]
[[Category:Musicals about gangs]]