Cameron Mackintosh’s latest revival of Lionel Bart’s beloved musical Oliver! has arrived at the Gielgud Theatre, following a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre. This new production, directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, simultaneously maintains the traditional feel and breathes fresh life into the classic tale of the orphan boy who dared to ask for more.
And these days, who doesn’t hope for more? It’s clear that no expense has been spared in bringing Victorian London to life on the stage of the Gielgud. Lez Brotherston’s ingenious set design, with bridge and revolve, creates a moving cityscape which effortlessly transitions between workhouse, olde world streets, and Fagin’s den. Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs’ lighting design adds depth, atmosphere and darker undertones, perfectly completing the visual feast on stage.
Bourne’s choreography is a highlight, filling every inch of the stage with vibrant, energetic movement. The big production numbers, particularly ‘Consider Yourself’ and ‘You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two’ are thrilling to watch and showcase the ensemble’s talent.
The cast is uniformly strong, with standout performances from several key players. Simon Lipkin gives us an entirely new interpretation of Fagin, starting out like a frail Steptoe before infusing the character with a swaggering charm that adds nuance to what is often considered a stereotype that is hugely problematic.
Shanay Holmes delivers a powerhouse performance as Nancy, her rendition of ‘As Long As He Needs Me’ had the audience hanging on every word, while Billy Jenkins delights as the Artful Dodger with nimble footwork that suggests a bright future on the stage.
The role of Oliver is shared between several young actors, with Cian Eagle-Service, perfectly portraying the role on press night.
Oscar Conlon-Morrey delivers a masterclass in comic performance as Mr Bumble, ably supported by Katy Secombe’s wonderful Widow Corney. Aaron Sidwell’s Bill Sikes is menacingly good, perhaps the best interpretation of the character seen in London.
Lionel Bart’s timeless score remains the heart of the show, even the tamest of theatre fans will find themselves humming along with those familiar tunes, even though they’ve been given new life by Graham Hurman’s 13-piece orchestra and Stephen Metcalfe’s orchestral adaptations.
This production of Oliver! is undeniably polished and entertaining, and for theatre purists it’s refreshing to have a revival that stays true to the original and doesn’t feel the need to be a radical reimagining. Instead, it delivers a glorious, feel-good spectacle that captures the essence of classic musical theatre.
Mackintosh and Bourne have crafted a crowd-pleasing production that showcases the enduring appeal of Oliver! Consider yourself lucky to see this brilliant revival, it’ll leave you begging for more.
