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, produced in association with Cameron Mackintosh, 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 (Guys and Dolls, Avenue Q) as Fagin, Shanay Holmes (Miss Saigon, The Bodyguard) as Nancy, Aaron Sidwell (Henry VI, Wicked) as Bill Sikes, Billy Jenkins (Les Misérables, BBC’s Dodger) as the Artful Dodger and Philip Franks (The Rocky Horror Show, Witness for the Prosecution) 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 (Noah Claypole), Isabelle Methven (Bet), Lochlan White (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 (Charlotte), Danny Lane, Peter Nash, Josh Patel-Foster, Sam Peggs, Jasmine Sakyiama, Wendy Somerville (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.
Revised by Cameron Mackintosh, Oliver! is directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne; co-director Jean-Pierre van der Spuy; designer Lez Brotherston; musical supervisor and conductor Graham Hurman; lighting designers Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs; sound designer Adam Fisher; projection designer George Reeve; original orchestrations William David Brohn; orchestral adaptation Stephen Metcalfe; choreographic associates Etta Murfitt and Sam Archer; casting directors Felicity French CDG and Paul Wooller CDG; children’s
asting director Verity Naughton CDG.
There will be a Dementia Friendly performance on 31 July; a Relaxed Performance on 22 August; and a Summer Charity Gala on 6 September.
