Overview

Synopsis

Bringing Charles Dickens’ beloved novel to life, Lionel Bart’s Oliver! takes audiences on a wild adventure through Victorian England. Join young,orphaned Oliver Twist as he navigates the London’s underworld of theft and violence, searching for a home, a family, and - most importantly - for love. When Oliver is picked up on the street by a boy named the Artful Dodger, he is welcomed into a gang of child pickpockets led by the conniving, but charismatic, Fagin. When Oliver is falsely accused of a theft he didn’t commit, he is rescued by a kind and wealthy gentleman, to the dismay of Fagin’s violent sidekick, Bill Sikes. Caught in the middle is the warm-hearted Nancy, who is trapped under Bill’s thumb, but desperate to help Oliver, with tragic results.

With spirited, timeless songs such as "Oom-Pah-Pah", “As Long as He Needs Me,” “Food, Glorious Food,” and “Where Is Love”, Oliver! is a musical classic.

Show Information

Music
Lyrics
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (1838 novel)
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1960
Genres
Drama, Comedy, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
London, 1830s
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Musical Staging
Ideal For
Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Child, Early Teen, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Oliver Twist

Lead

Male

Treble/Boy Soprano

Nancy

Lead

Female

Alto, Mezzo-Soprano

Fagin

Lead

Male

Baritone

Artful Dodger

Supporting

Male

Treble/Boy Soprano

Bill Sikes

Supporting

Male

Bass-Baritone

Mr. Bumble

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Widow Corney

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Mr. Brownlow

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mr. Sowerberry

Featured

Male

Baritone

Mrs. Sowerberry

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Charlotte

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Noah Claypole

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Bet

Featured

Female

Alto

Old Sally

Featured

Female

Spoken

Mrs. Bedwin

Featured

Female

Spoken

Dr. Grimwig

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Adult Ensemble

Ensemble

Not Specified

Workhouse Boys / Fagin's Gang

Ensemble

Male

Songs

Act One

Act Two

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    An adaptation is a reworking of a story from one medium or cultural context into another, such as turning a novel into a play or updating a classic play’s setting. Adaptations often reinterpret themes, characters, and style for new audiences. They can range from faithful recreations to bold reimaginings.

    A ballad is a song style that tells a story through simple, lyrical verses and a steady rhythm. In theatre, ballads are often slow and emotional, allowing characters to reveal deep feelings or reflect on personal journeys. They can be used to highlight romance, longing, or moments of dramatic intensity.

    A powerful, resonant singing technique used in musical theatre to project high notes with chest voice.

    A traditional London dialect spoken by working-class people, especially in the East End, characterized by unique phonology (like vowel shifts and the dropped 'h' sound), specific grammar, and most notably, Cockney Rhyming Slang. A "true" Cockney is often defined by their birth within the sound of the Bow Bells of St Mary-le-Bow church, making it a strong cultural and social identifier.

    A period of artistic flourishing, often referring to 1940s-60s Broadway or English Renaissance theatre. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.

    The “Golden Age Musical” refers to Broadway shows written roughly between the 1940s and 1960s, a period known for integrating songs, story, and character development. These musicals often balanced romance, comedy, and social themes with memorable melodies and large ensembles. Classics from this era continue to shape the foundation of modern musical theatre.

    A revival is a new production of a play or musical after its original run has ended, often reimagined for a new generation of audiences. Revivals may stay faithful to the original staging or update elements like design, casting, or interpretation. They are a cornerstone of theatre tradition, keeping classic works alive and relevant.

    A sentimental ballad about unrequited love, often featured in musicals or cabaret performances.

    Relating to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901), which influenced theatrical style, costume, and themes.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Quote Analysis

Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher