Paul Kerryson to Direct OLIVER! at the Curve fromToday

Curve theatre, Leicester has announced its Christmas musical for 2015 will be a new production of Lionel Bart's masterpiece Oliver!. Opening on 2 December 2015, with previews from 27 November, the production also sees Paul Kerryson return as director.

Based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, Lionel Bart's award-winning musical opened in the West End in 1960, ahead of its Broadway première in 1963 where it won the Tony Award for Best Original Score. It has since been adapted for the screen, winning six Academy Awards, and has enjoyed major revivals in both the UK and the US, with the last London revival breaking box office records for the largest advance sales in history.

Chief Executive Fiona Allan said: "We've been in discussions with Cameron Mackintosh for a number of years about us staging Oliver! with Paul as director. The production continues our tradition for major revivals of classic musicals for all the family over Christmas. "

Artistic Director Nikolai Foster commented: "I am thrilled Paul is returning to Curve this Christmas to create a brand new production of Oliver! Lionel Bart's musical is a great example of the British musical at its very best and I am looking forward to Paul and his first-class creative team introducing this wonderful show to a new generation of theatre goers and their families."

Joining Paul on the creative team will be Ben Atkinson as Musical Director. Atkinson continues his collaboration with Kerryson following the last three Christmas productions at Curve - The Sound of Music, Chicago and Hello, Dolly!. Also joining the creative team will be Choreographer Andrew Wright, who previously worked with Paul on Curve's production of 42nd Street, Matthew Kinley as Set Designer and Bruno Poet as Lighting Designer.

Director Paul Kerryson said: "It's a real privilege to return to Curve to direct this great musical. This spectacular new production will also offer great opportunities for Leicester's young talent to become the shady characters of Fagin's infamous gang and of course, Oliver himself."

For Curve, Paul Kerryson's work includes The Sound of Music, Hairspray (also UK Tour), Chicago, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Piaf, Hello, Dolly!, Entertaining Mr Sloane, Buried Child, Gypsy, Absurd Person Singular, The Light in the Piazza, The King and I (also UK tour), 42nd Street, The Pillowman and The Lieutenant of Inishmore.

For tickets and further information visit www.curveonline.co.uk. Tickets will go on sale on general sale on Wednesday 15 April.