Oliver!
next weekend in London
Available Performances
Dickens' orphan hero returns in a large-scale musical of London streets, pickpockets, danger and unforgettable songs.
⭐4.9
Sharon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Alan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hayley Brett ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Emma ⭐⭐⭐⭐
John Birchley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Darren Seymour ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Joel Mitchell ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Michael Freeman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mrs Rowe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nicola Martin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sarah Beni ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sarah Beni ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Carl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ang P ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Michael ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
G Coltman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gareth Roberts ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Claire Phillips ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lawrie Anne Brown ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Things to Know Before You Go
Updated: Tue 14 Jul, 06:00 London time
Is there a Saturday matinee for Oliver! next weekend?
Yes — Sat 25 Jul 14:30 (tickets available).
What time does the Oliver! Sunday show start next weekend?
Sun 26 Jul 14:30
What's the cheapest Oliver! performance next weekend?
From £25 (Sat).
Matthew Bourne directing as well as choreographing — what difference does that make?
Significant. Bourne stages 'Consider Yourself' and 'Who Will Buy?' as full Bournian ensembles — wide unison, sustained gesture, the company shifting in patterns that the original 1960 production never approached — and you can see the choreographer's hand on scenes that aren't traditionally dance numbers at all. Fagin's gang movement, in particular, has been thought through as a physical world. It's the most danced Oliver! a West End audience has seen.
The children's ensemble — what age really suits the show?
Eight to twelve for the children on stage; six and up for the children in the audience. The Fagin's gang ensemble rotates between performances (multiple casts, several Olivers, several Dodgers) and the production is rigorously safeguarded — children are out by ten on weekday nights, off the building soon after. For your own children: the recommended age in the show settings says three-plus, which is technically correct but optimistic. Most parents find six the comfortable floor.
Best seats for the bigger ensemble numbers?
Dress circle, comfortably. The Gielgud is a tall, narrow Frank Matcham house and the choreography geometry — wide formations on a relatively shallow stage — reads cleanly from a raised vantage. Centre stalls from row K back is the close-up alternative; front stalls miss the formations of the children's ensemble, which is part of what you've come for.
What is Oliver! about?
Oliver! follows orphaned Oliver Twist as he escapes the workhouse and is drawn into the criminal underworld of Victorian London. Along the way he encounters the Artful Dodger, Fagin, the menacing Bill Sikes and the big-hearted Nancy, before the truth of his past is finally revealed. The musical keeps the bones of Dickens’ story but presents it with memorable songs, humour and warmth.
Is Oliver! suitable for children?
Oliver! is generally considered family friendly, but it does include darker themes such as poverty, crime and moments of threat. Very young children may find certain scenes, particularly involving Bill Sikes, a little intense. As a rule of thumb, it tends to suit older primary school children and teenagers best. All audience members will require their own ticket.
How long does the performance of Oliver! last?
The show runs for around 2 hours 40 minutes, including an interval. That gives plenty of time for the story, the big ensemble numbers and quieter character moments, while still being manageable for most families planning an evening in town.
Do I need to know the novel to enjoy the musical?
No. Knowing Dickens’ Oliver Twist will add extra detail, but it is not essential. The musical tells the story clearly in its own right, so you can come to it completely fresh and still follow the plot and relationships.
Will I recognise the songs from Oliver!?
Quite possibly. Numbers such as Food, Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two, I’d Do Anything and As Long As He Needs Me have long since escaped the theatre and become part of popular culture. Hearing them performed by a full company and orchestra gives them an extra lift.
Is Oliver! a good choice for a first West End show?
Yes. Oliver! offers a clear story, strong characters and a score that is tuneful and accessible. It is a straightforward introduction to musical theatre for those who may not be regular theatregoers, while still offering enough detail and craft to satisfy more experienced audiences.
About this show
Follow young Oliver Twist from workhouse to backstreets in Lionel Bart’s much-loved musical, newly reimagined for today’s West End. Cameron Mackintosh’s production brings together director-choreographer Matthew Bourne and a first-rate company to retell Dickens’ story with fresh energy and a rich, cinematic sweep. From the grim discipline of the workhouse to the ramshackle warmth of Fagin’s den, the show balances grit, humour and heart without losing sight of the boy at its centre. Expect a rousing evening of classic songs, characterful performances and big-hearted storytelling as Food, Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two and As Long As He Needs Me are heard anew. Whether you grew up with the film or are meeting Oliver for the first time, this is a generous, crowd-pleasing night at the theatre.
Other musicals next weekend
Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
The Producers
Sabrage
The Lion King
Museum Tours Next Weekend
British Museum
Tower of London
Madame Tussauds London
National Gallery
Attraction Tours Next Weekend
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London (Harry Potter)
Windsor Castle
Westminster Abbey
