As rehearsals started this week, the full cast has been announced for the spectacular new production of Lionel Bart’s iconic musical OLIVER!, premiering at Chichester Festival Theatre from 8 July – 7 September.

The show has been reconceived by director and choreographer Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh, and will transfer to London’s Gielgud Theatre from 14 December.

Joining the previously announced 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, are: Oscar Conlon-Morrey (Mother Goose, Only Fools and Horses The Musical) as Mr Bumble, Katy Secombe (The Music Man, Les Misérables) as Widow Corney, Stephen Matthews (Strictly Ballroom, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mr Sowerberry/Dr Grimwig, and Jamie Birkett (Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Mamma Mia The Party) as Mrs Sowerberry/Mrs Bedwin.

Forming the young adult cast are Callum Hudson as Noah Claypole, Isabelle Methven as Bet, Lochlan White as Charley Bates, and Harry Cross (Fagin’s Gang). The ensemble members/swings are: Rachael Archer, Tegan Bannister, Adam Boardman, Bethany Huckle, Ebony Jonelle, Bethan Keens as Charlotte, Danny Lane, Peter Nash, Josh Patel Foster, Sam Peggs, Jasmine Sakyiama, Wendy Somerville as Old Sally, Leah Vassell and Matthew Whennell-Clark.

Sharing the role of Oliver Twist are Cian Eagle-Service (The Witches, Les Misérables), Raphael Korniets (The Snowman) and Jack Philpott (The Witches, Matilda).

Following a nationwide search where hundreds of children from all around the country came to London to audition, the younger roles in Fagin’s gang are shared by Toba Agbelusi, Zoe Akinyosade, Ben Birch, Finley Burrows, Preston Cropp, Benjamin Dalton, Kylan Michael Denis, Sebastian Elton, Liam Findlay, Rudy Gibson, Stanley Guy, George Hamblin, Lily Hanna, Charlie Hodson-Prior, Grace King, Cooper McCrae, Jonny Niland, Hugo Pechey, William Skinner, Dylan Xavier and Aaron Zhao. Rudy Gibson, Charlie Hodson-Prior and William Skinner will also perform as Alternate Artful Dodger.

Matthew Bourne said: “When the groundbreaking original production of Oliver! opened in 1960 the brilliant young cast was led by Ron Moody, Georgia Brown and Barry Humphries! None of them household names at the time but their performances would soon become the stuff of theatrical legend. I’m delighted today to be announcing our similarly brilliant and youthful cast, who will bring fresh life to Lionel Bart’s beloved masterpiece, creating an Oliver! for today, whilst staying true to the joyous spirit of its creator.”

Revised by Cameron Mackintosh, Oliver! is directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, with co-direction by Jean-Pierre van der Spuy, design by Lez Brotherston, musical supervision and conducting by Graham Hurman, lighting by Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs, sound by Adam Fisher, projection design by George Reeve, original orchestrations by William David Brohn, orchestral adaptation by Stephen Metcalfe, casting by Felicity French CDG and Paul Wooller CDG, and children’s casting by Verity Naughton CDG.

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