Video/Photos: First Look At OLIVER! At Leeds Playhouse

Leeds Playhouse has today released exclusive footage and photos of Oliver! now open in its epic Quarry theatre which has been transformed in to a magnificent theatre in the round, until 27 January.

  

Described by the critics as ‘absolutely magnificent’, ‘a thrillingly vivid production’ and simply ‘superb’, this is the festive production of the season that the whole family can enjoy.   

    

An adult cast of 19, including actor, comedian, musician and writer Steve Furst as Fagin and leading West End actor Jenny Fitzpatrick as Nancy, are joined on stage by Nicholas Teixeira, 9, Carter-J Murphy, 9, and Theo Wake, 10, as lovable orphan Oliver Twist. Carter and Theo are both making their professional debut. The role of the skilful, cunning and cheeky The Artful Dodger is being shared by Felix Holt, 11, Noah Walton, 13, who was last seen at the Playhouse in 2022 as Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical, and Hughie Higginson, 13, who has been awarded accolades including a Pride of Britain Award and British Citizen Youth Award, which he received in Parliament.

  

Lionel Bart’s award-winning musical, adapted from Charles Dickens’ timeless novel, features some of the most memorable characters and well-loved songs seen on stage, including ‘Food, Glorious Food’, ‘Oom Pah-Pah’, ‘I’d Do Anything’ and the angelic sounds of ‘Where is Love?’.   

  

Oliver! is a classic rags to riches story. Born into a life of poverty and misfortune, orphaned Oliver is a small boy with a big heart. He sets out on a perilous journey from a desolate workhouse to the gloriously colourful streets of Victorian London in search of love and a place to call home. There he’s befriended by the charming Artful Dodger and kindly Nancy before being drawn into Fagin’s gang of young pickpockets where he comes under the terrifying gaze of dastardly Bill Sikes.

  

The full adult company includes Chris Bennett; Minal Patel; Zac Adlam; Laura Cairns; Rachel Clare Chan; Rosie Ede; Christopher Glover; Frankie Hart; Llandyll Gove; Simon Green; Danny Lane; Rachel Laurence; Jake Lomas; Martha Pothen; Michaela Stern; Harry Waller; and Scott Waugh.   

  

They are joined by thirty-two young people: Aness Ahmed; Beatrice Armitage; Cyrus Campbell; Ella Jade Chadwick; Zane Chaba; Ariana Dar; Rose Dawson; Rebecca English; Aaron Fu; Ana Sofia Gutierrez Robson; Fearne Lily I'Anson; Kalil Judge; Shayne M Maphosa; Leo Maurice; Oliver Maurice; Amelia Minto; Jenson Lee McMaster; Jett Moises; Karis Musongole; Kayleen Nguema; Chizaram Ochuba-Okafor; Maxwell Paton; Robyn Pennington; Alexa Raja; Reggie Rollins; Jessica Russell; Hugh Jack Ryan; Porscha Mai Staniford; Tommy Thompson; Maddison Thew; Raine Williamson and Buster Wolfenden.

   

Completing the creative team are: Set and Costume Designer Colin Richmond; Choreographer and Intimacy Director Lucy Hind; Toby Higgins Musical Supervisor; Guy Hoare Lighting Designer; Richard Brooker Sound Designer; Luke Holman Musical Director; Knoetics Music Orchestral Manager; Eleanor Manners Associate Director/Voice Coach; Jo Goodwin Associate Choreographer/Associate Director Young Company; Kenan Ali Fight Director; Associate Sound Designer Nick Lodge; Keston & Keston Children’s Casting & General Management; Annelie Powell Casting Director; Alice Walters Casting Assistant; and Abrehet Semra Trainee Assistant Director.  

  

Relaxed and Dementia Friendly performances are available and a selection of digital resources, created by the Playhouse’s award-winning Creative Engagement department, will be available free to all schools who book to see the production.

  

Leeds Playhouse’s Autumn/Winter 2023 season is sponsored by Caddick Developments in a unique partnership spanning 5 years of the property developer investing in culture in the Leeds City Region.