The Timeless Charm of Oliver The Musical in the West End London
- Gavin with a "G"
- Jan 30
- 2 min read
"Please sir, I want some more!"
I went to the West End London to see Cameron Mackintosh‘s new production of Lionel Bart‘s iconic musical, Oliver!, which has been fully reconceived by the director and choreographer Matthew Bourne.
This is one of my favourite British musicals from my childhood, with fantastic songs, including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I’d Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, As Long As He Needs Me and many more.
The plot of Dickens's original novel is considerably simplified for the purposes of the musical, with Fagin being represented more as a comic character than as a villain, and large portions of the latter part of the story being completely left out. Although Dickens's novel has been called antisemitic in its portrayal of the Jewish Fagin as evil, the production by Bart (himself Jewish) was more sympathetic and featured many Jewish actors in leading roles: Ron Moody (Ronald Moodnick), Georgia Brown (Lilian Klot), and Martin Horsey.
Lionel Bart (1 August 1930 – 3 April 1999) was an English writer and composer of pop music and musicals. He wrote Tommy Steele's "Rock with the Caveman" and was the sole creator of the musical Oliver! (1960). With Oliver! and his work alongside theatre director Joan Littlewood at Theatre Royal, Stratford East, he played an instrumental role in the 1960s birth of the British musical theatre scene, after an era when American musicals had dominated the West End.
Best known for creating the book, music and lyrics for Oliver!, Bart was described by Andrew Lloyd Webber as "the father of the modern British musical". In 1963 he won the Tony Award for Best Original Score for Oliver!, and the 1968 film version of the musical won a total of six Academy Awards including the Academy Award for Best Picture.
I really enjoyed the energy, staging and performances of the children, Fagin, Nancy and Bill. The pace is non stop, as the stage continually moves and transforms into the different London scenes.
This is a great family show, just be aware that there are scenes of violence and themes that some younger children could find difficult.
For more information and to book your tickets visit: Oliver! The Musical | Gielgud Theatre | West End 2025
