Based on Charles Dickens’ famous novel, Oliver Twist, Oliver! is a musical that was highly regarded (and I wanted to see it when visiting London). I purchased the best seats I could find (O16, O17) for Saturday evening's (March 21, 2026) performance at the Gielgud Theater.
Oliver! was very well staged and acted, with excellent special effects and choreography. However, sometimes it was hard for me to understand the English accents in the songs.
The standout performance was by Fagin, the king of the pickpockets. He was such a fun character and acted brilliantly on stage. His song "You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two" was the highlight of the show.
The production featured Simon Lipkin as Fagin, was produced and revised by Cameron Mackintosh, and was directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, with co-direction by Jean-Pierre van der Spuy. Official production credits.
Plot summary — spoilers
🎭 Oliver! – Act-by-Act Synopsis
ACT I
The musical opens in a grim Victorian workhouse, where orphaned boys suffer hunger and cruelty under the watch of Mr. Bumble and the Widow Corney.
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“Food, Glorious Food”
The boys dream of a life with enough to eat. Encouraged by the others, Oliver famously asks for more gruel — an act of innocence that lands him in serious trouble. -
“Oliver!” / “I Shall Scream” / “Boy for Sale”
Bumble and Corney decide to get rid of Oliver. He is sold as an apprentice to Mr. Sowerberry, an undertaker. -
“That’s Your Funeral”
Oliver’s mistreatment continues, and after a fight with another apprentice, he runs away to London. -
“Where Is Love?”
Alone and frightened, Oliver longs for kindness and belonging.
Arriving in London, Oliver meets the charismatic Artful Dodger, who introduces him to a lively new “family”.
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“Consider Yourself”
Oliver is welcomed into a gang of boys led by Fagin, who trains children to pick pockets. -
“You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two”
Fagin cheerfully explains his philosophy of survival through crime.
Oliver witnesses the darker side of this world through Nancy, a warm-hearted young woman trapped in a relationship with the violent criminal Bill Sikes.
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“It’s a Fine Life”
Nancy sings ironically about making the best of hardship. -
“I’d Do Anything”
The boys compete to show their loyalty to Fagin, while Oliver remains innocent and eager to please. -
“Be Back Soon”
Fagin and the boys set out to rob. During a pickpocketing attempt, Oliver is mistakenly accused but rescued by the kindly gentleman Mr Brownlow, who takes him home.
Act I ends with Oliver seemingly safe at last.
ACT II
Oliver enjoys warmth, books, and care in Mr. Brownlow’s home.
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“Who Will Buy?”
A lyrical street scene shows London at its most hopeful, reflecting Oliver’s new sense of possibility.
Meanwhile, Fagin and Bill Sikes fear Oliver will betray them.
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“Oom-Pah-Pah”
In a noisy pub, Nancy tries to drown out her misery with bravado and drink. -
“My Name”
Bill Sikes asserts his brutal dominance, revealing the danger he poses.
Nancy is torn between fear and compassion.
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“As Long as He Needs Me”
She expresses her conflicted devotion to Bill, one of the show’s most emotional moments.
Oliver is kidnapped back to the slums, and Fagin debates his own future.
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“Reviewing the Situation”
Fagin weighs the risks of crime against the benefits of respectability, ultimately choosing survival over morality.
Nancy secretly warns Mr Brownlow of Oliver’s danger.
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“As Long as He Needs Me” (Reprise)
Her resolve strengthens, but Bill discovers her betrayal.
Nancy is tragically murdered by Bill Sikes, who later meets his own violent end while fleeing the law.
In the aftermath:
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“Oliver!” (Reprise)
Bumble and Corney fall from power as their hypocrisy is exposed.
Oliver is revealed to be Mr Brownlow's grandson and finds a home with him.
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Finale
Oliver is reunited with Mr Brownlow and the surviving characters, closing the show with a hopeful celebration of compassion, community, and second chances.
Overall Themes
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Innocence versus corruption
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Chosen family
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Social injustice and moral responsibility
Oliver! Musical Review
Highlights
- The iconic moment: “Please, sir, I want some more,” which really begins the plot
- Simon Lipkin's performance as Fagin - the king of the pickpockets - was the standout of the show.
Lowlights
- Sanitizing Charles Dickens: Workhouses, abuse, and desperation are turned into lively ensemble numbers like “Food, Glorious Food.”
- Romanticizing crime: Fagin (a criminal) seems like such a delightful character
- One-sided characters: Bill Sikes comes out as pure evil
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