OLIVER!
Gielgud Theatre
★★★½
“Lipkin’s Olivier nominated Fagin steals the show with wit, warmth and humanity”
Cameron Mackintosh’s West End revival of Lionel Bart’s Tony and Oscar winning ‘Oliver!’ enters its second year, brimming with crowd pleasing charm. Though the emotional development could be sharper, the stunning score and cast will have you reviewing the situation.
Unlucky orphan Oliver is ousted from the workhouse after unwittingly sparking revolt. Forced to flee to London, he falls in with Fagin’s child gang, the violent Bill Sikes and his abused partner Nancy. Horrified by his new “trade”, Oliver ends up in the dock – until unexpected kindness changes everything.
Dickens’ ‘Oliver Twist’ is a pointed critique of hypocritical Victorian ‘welfare’, which Bart’s classic book smooths out and Mackintosh’s revisions soften further. Fagin’s much more sympathetic take smartly dodges harmful stereotypes, though the chummy fourth wall humour leaves his arc feeling a touch undercooked. Though Dickens’ characters are broad by design, it’s a shame this revival doesn’t dig into the grit and nuance a bit more. Act 2 also loses focus, with back to back songs and a busy climax leaving the ending underpowered. Still, the script strikes a confident balance between humour and darkness.
Bart’s Tony winning score and William David Brohn’s orchestrations get a fresh lift from Stephen Metcalfe, with music supervision by Graham Hurman. This classic score sparkles, from rousing chorus numbers and snappy comedy songs to heart-rending solos. It deftly foreshadows key moments and gives each character a unique musical identity. Though the reprise of ‘As Long As He Needs Me’ feels more echo than progression, overall the orchestrations are spot on – the banjo-led ‘I’d Do Anything’ is particularly charming.
Dance icon Matthew Bourne’s direction, with co director Jean Pierre van der Spuy, delivers striking visuals with beautiful video, slick turntable transitions and a shifting set that creates expansive and claustrophobic moments. The emotional arcs don’t always land, though, feeling a little thin and needing more tension in places. Some beats feel rushed, like Oliver’s reunion with Brownlow, and both act finales could hit harder, especially Act 2 where Fagin’s misfortune gets buried in the bustle. That said, Bourne’s strength as a choreographer really shines through. Each scene is expertly judged, some bursting with energy and others striking for their stillness. The big chorus numbers are sharp and modern, contrasting beautifully with the flowing grace of ‘Who Will Buy?’.
Lez Brotherston’s design is deliciously moody, perfectly capturing Victorian London’s smog-choked streets. Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs’ lighting conjures bleak beauty, occasionally shot through with bursts of warmth or colour. Adam Fisher’s sound, with associate Ollie Durrant, is finely balanced, cleverly summoning Bill Sikes’ dog. George Reeve’s projections set the tone with shockingly blood red titles and ghostly hints of St Paul’s in the haze.
Simon Lipkin’s Olivier nominated Fagin steals the show with wit, warmth and humanity. Ava Brennan’s Nancy is magnetic, mastering outward poise and inner conflict, while Aaron Sidwell’s Bill Sikes brings a chilling, naturalistic menace. Tonight’s Oliver, Isaac Hackett, pairs wide eyed innocence with beautifully pure vocals. Aaron MacGregor’s Artful Dodger deftly combines street smart swagger with just enough vulnerability to remind us he’s still just a kid.
This may not be the boldest or most emotionally charged take, but Mackintosh’s revival of ‘Oliver!’ still delivers plenty of entertainment. Catch this superb cast while you can.
OLIVER!
Gielgud Theatre
Reviewed at Gala Evening on 14th April 2026
by Hannah Bothelton
Photography by Johan Persson
