ONE OF BRITAIN'S MOST BELOVED MUSICALS

Fast-paced, powerful and generous of spirit, Oliver is award-winning producer Cameron Mackintosh's (Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and Cats) take on Lionel Bart's superbly melodic musical. Directed by Rupert Goold, choreographed by Tony award-winner Matthew Bourne and with Anthony Ward's spectacular multi-level sets, the lavish production brings to life the journey of orphan Oliver as he is sold, abused, deceived and abducted by a range of grotesque characters before finally being united with his grandfather.

This re-staging of Sam Mendes's acclaimed 1994 revival sees Rowan Atkinson as a comic, sinister Fagin, while Nancy is played by Jodie Prenger, 'the people's choice' on BBC TV talent show I'd Do Anything.

WHAT IS OLIVER ABOUT?

Young orphan Oliver lives in a grim Victorian workhouse run by greedy caretakers, Mr Bumble and Widow Corney. With only gruel to eat, Oliver asks for more but the angered caretakers sell Oliver off as an apprentice undertaker. Oliver ends up on the streets after escaping from a coffin and is found by the Artful Dodger, a wily pickpocket, who offers Oliver work and a bed in the lair of aging thief Fagin.

On a 'job' Oliver is set up and arrested for pickpocketing wealthy Mr Brownlow. But Mr Brownlow suspects he is innocent and takes the boy to his home. Afraid of being ratted out, Fagin, his sinister associate Bill Sikes and girlfriend Nancy abduct Oliver. Oliver seems doomed to a miserable life. But a twist in fate sends ever-greedy Mr Bumble and Widow Corney scurrying over to Mr Brownlow's home with a locket left to Oliver. Mr Brownlow recognises the locket-owner as his niece. Nancy, who has grown fond of Oliver, tries to return him to Mr Brownlow. But Bill Sikes is following her...

DID YOU KNOW?

Lionel Bart has been criticised for omitting the social rage and Gothic strangeness in Charles Dicken's Oliver Twist on which the musical is based.