Review of Oliver! at the Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End, seen in October 2026 during Matt Lucas’ short run as Fagin
When the current West End production of Oliver! announced that Matt Lucas would be stepping into the role of Fagin during the principal actor’s paternity leave, I decided that was my cue to finally book a ticket. I suspected it would be good. After all, this is a classic production of one of musical theatre’s most enduring shows, packed with songs that seem to arrive every five minutes and somehow all qualify as classics. But even with those expectations, I wasn’t disappointed.
I’ve known this story for a very long time. In fact, I was in a primary school production of Oliver! Myself (if you can believe I was once 11 years old…). I had actually auditioned for Nancy and still remember being pitted against another girl in my year group, an undeniably brilliant singer and actor, and being asked to sing Oom-Pah-Pah in front of some of the younger classes. It was horrible! Needless to say, I didn’t get Nancy. I did get to play Betty, though, which I remember loving. Whether I was any good or not is another matter entirely, but I do remember it with fondness.
The current production is playing at the Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End.
Cast and Creative
One of the remarkable things about Oliver! is how many genuinely well-known songs it contains. From Food, Glorious Food and Consider Yourself to I’d Do Anything, You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two and As Long As He Needs Me, there are very few quiet patches. Even if you’ve never seen the musical, chances are you’ll recognise at least a handful of the songs, and hearing them performed by such a strong cast is a reminder of just how well-crafted the score really is.
The ensemble as a whole were absolutely superb. This is a production that fills the stage with people, creating crowded streets, a workhouse and a tavern, and every performer contributed to that sense of a city constantly in motion. The constantly moving, rotating set pieces created a bustling Victorian London that felt alive from start to finish. It provided plenty for the actors to interact with and gave each scene real atmosphere and scale. Much like the very best stage designs, it didn’t just look impressive, it helped tell the story.
The singing and dancing were exactly what you hope for from a classic musical on this scale. The energy from the child performers was especially remarkable. I genuinely don’t know how they manage to sing and dance like that simultaneously night after night. In fact, the whole cast were excellent. I particularly enjoyed Oscar Conlon-Morrey as Mr Bumble, while Ava Brennan as Nancy brought exactly the warmth, spirit and heartbreak that the role requires.
Matt Lucas as Fagin
As for Matt Lucas as Fagin, I thought he was terrific. Having not seen anyone else in the role in this production, I can’t compare interpretations, but he delivered a performance full of character, humour and charm, while never losing sight of the darker aspects of the role. There were (perhaps ‘of course’) some familiar asides from Lucas as he broke the fourth wall here and there – adding to the comedy. Perhaps most importantly, he seemed to be having enormous fun with the role, and that enjoyment was infectious.
There is also something satisfying about seeing a musical performed on this scale. Huge ensemble numbers, elaborate scenery, live musicians and a packed stage full of performers are not things every production can offer. Oliver! embraces all of it, and the result is a genuinely big night at the theatre.
Family Favourite
Beneath all the spectacle, humour and memorable songs, Oliver! remains a surprisingly dark story, touching on poverty, crime, exploitation and violence. It’s perhaps not what you’d expect from a show so often thought of as a family favourite.
But Dickens really knew how to tell a story, and there is a reason this one has endured for nearly two centuries. What struck me watching it now is how relevant some of its themes still feel. The setting may be Victorian London, but questions of poverty, exploitation, belonging and opportunity remain just as recognisable today as they were when Dickens first wrote the story. Yet somehow the music lifts it all.
I also thought the production handled the murder of Nancy and Bill Sikes’ fate particularly well, retaining the emotional impact while keeping them accessible for a modern family audience.
When a cast this talented fills the stage together, it’s impossible not to be swept along by the music, the spectacle and the storytelling. I had a fabulous time.
Not every musical earns the title of classic. Oliver! absolutely does.
Oliver! | Gielgud Theatre
