This lively production is a brilliant addition to the West End.
Shows such as Matilda the Musical and of course Oliver! really allow the talent of the future to shine through – with this version of Lionel Bart’s classic musical providing so much talent on display it is difficult to know who to focus on in each scene.
This is just one of the many strengths that this Matthew Bourne directed and choreographed (alongside Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy as co-director) production boasts in this vibrant and engaging take on the classic musical.
Featuring glorious orchestrations by Stephen Metcalfe, songs from the instantly catchy ‘Consider Yourself’ and ‘Be Back Soon’ to the moving ‘Where is Love?’ and ‘As Long As He Needs Me’ beautifully capture the changing tone and mood of the musical perfectly. The orchestrations offering a new depth that will ensure that you will leave the theatre singing at least one if not the entire score.
It really isn’t easy to capture the darkness of Dickens’ original story and then combine it with lighter moments through song, but through the suitably Victorian and rustic styled set designed by Lez Brotherston that adapts to each different location seamlessly from the workhouse to the street of London, keeping the flow and pace of the show moving along nicely.
High praise should also be given to the lighting design by Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs which captures the shade and lightness of the story effortlessly – including the colour and playfulness for ‘You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket Or Two’ which sharply contrasts nicely for ‘My Name’ in which Bill Sykes makes his menacing presence felt through his shadow at first.
Throughout every number, Matthew Bourne’s Choreography is so wonderfully intricate to the point that the audience wish that they are up there with the rest of the cast – with the routines for ‘Consider Yourself’ and ‘Oom-Pah-Pah’ proving to be particular highlights – but it was also easy to enjoy the simplicity of ‘Who Will Buy?’.
The story is wonderfully threaded throughout, with the performances proving to be top-drawer from everyone involved. At the centre of it all, Jack Phillpott delivers plenty of charm and naivety to the character Oliver, really highlighting the emotional impact of ‘Where is Love?’ that will certainly draw a tear to the eye of even the most hardened of theatregoer.
But surrounding him is an excellent range of support. Oscar Conlon-Morrey seemed made for the role of the pompous Mr Bumble, providing plenty of laughs along the way as well as incredible vocals for ‘Boy For Sale’. Billy Jenkins offers a delightfully cheeky performance as the Artful Dodger, while his relationship with Simon Lipkin’s Fagin is surprisingly poignant and moving – particularly in the end scene.
Lipkin is an impressive Fagin, capturing the character’s seediness but also showing a vulnerability as well as he fights for his own survival and doing what it takes to do so – the song ‘Reviewing the Situation’ has never stood as much as it has here due to his delivery – it is powerful and relatable to the cost of living crisis for our elderly in 2025. It is a fabulously over the top performance that delights from start to finish.
Shanay Holmes’s performance as Nancy is wonderfully gutsy, capturing the complexity of her relationship with the sinister Bill Sykes with ease – her rendition of ‘As Long As He Needs Me’ is a real highlight moment. Aaron Sidwell’s performance of Bill Sykes is quietly sinister which makes him unnerving to watch as you wait to see what his characters next move – it is excellently judged.
Overall this production of Oliver! will ensure that you will want to come back to the Gielgud Theatre for more. Simply sublime.
By Emma Clarendon
Oliver! is now booking in the West End until the 29th March 2026. To book tickets click here.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️