Explore this Show

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 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 like “As Long as He Needs Me,” “Food, Glorious Food,” and “Where Is Love,” Oliver! is a musical classic.

Show Information

Music
Lionel Bart
Lyrics
Lionel Bart
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
1
Genres
Dark Comedy, Drama, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Multiple Settings, Period
Time & Place
London, 1830’s
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Recording
Dancing
Some Dance
Ideal For
Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Elementary School, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Middle School, Star Vehicle Male, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA), Mostly Male Cast, Includes Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Oliver

Lead

Male

Treble/Boy Soprano

Artful Dodger

Lead

Male

Treble/Boy Soprano

Fagin

Lead

Male

Tenor

Nancy

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Mr. Bumble

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Widow Corney

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Bet

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Mr. Brownlow

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Bill Sikes

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Mr. Sowerberry

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Mrs. Sowerberry

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Noah Claypole

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Mrs. Bedwin

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Mrs. Bedwin

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Dr. Grimwig

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Old Sally

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Charlotte

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Fagin's Gang

Ensemble

Either Gender

Tenor, Treble/Boy Soprano, Alto

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Treble/Boy Soprano

Songs

  • Food, Glorious Food– Workhouse Boys
  • Oliver!– Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney
  • Boy for Sale – 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– The Artful Dodger, Nancy, Oliver, Bet, Fagin, and Fagin's Gang
  • Be Back Soon – Fagin, The Artful Dodger, Oliver and Fagin's Gang
  • 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

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

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

Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.

Videos

Sorry! We do not currently have videos for this guide.

Quizzes

Sorry! We do not currently have quizzes for this guide.

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By: