Ben Richards to Play 'Bill Sikes' in OLIVER! at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre from Nov 29

The Daily Mail reports that Ben Richards will play "Bill Sikes" in OLIVER! at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, beginning November 29, 2013. Richards will be joining Phil Davis, who was previously announced in the role of "Fagin".

Read the original report here.

The show will be directed by Daniel Evans, with Peter McKintosh as production designer, lighting designer Howard Harrison, choreographer Alistair David, musical director Jonathan Gill, sound designer Simon Baker and William David Brohn for orchestral arrangements.

Sheffield's website describes the show: "London 1853. A young orphan arrives on the streets of London with no friends, no money and nowhere to live. He meets a cheeky pickpocket who shows him a whole new way of life. But as chance would have it, Oliver stumbles upon a gentleman who might just hold the key to his mysterious past...

"Following on from the huge success of My Fair Lady, Artistic Director Daniel Evans will direct Lionel Bart's sensational musical Oliver!, an exhilarating story about one boy's survival against the odds. Packed full of joyful songs including Consider Yourself, You've Got To Pick A Pocket or Two, Oom-pah-pah! and the exuberant Food Glorious Food, this will be the theatrical highlight of your year."

Richards has appeared in the West End in 9 to 5 The Musical, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Hot Mikado, Grease and Radio Times. His screen credits include Footballers' Wives and The Bill.