Matt Lucas is set to join the West End revival of Oliver! in the role of Fagin for a limited six-week season. The acclaimed production, devised by Cameron Mackintosh and directed by Matthew Bourne, continues its run at the Gielgud Theatre.

Matt Lucas will take over the role of Fagin in Oliver! from 22 September to 1 November 2026. He replaces Olivier Award nominee Simon Lipkin, who plays Fagin until 20 September and resumes the role from 3 November following the birth of his child.

The production first premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre to a five-star review from WhatsOnStage and won a WhatsOnStage Award. This new staging of Lionel Bart’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist is devised by Cameron Mackintosh, with direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne and co-direction by Jean-Pierre van der Spuy.

Oliver! follows the story of the orphaned boy Oliver Twist as he escapes the workhouse and encounters the criminal underworld of London. The musical features classic songs such as “Food Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” “You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two,” and “As Long As He Needs Me.”

Lucas, who recalled that Oliver! was the first West End musical he saw at age six, said he is now “considered slightly too old” for the title role and so will play Fagin instead. He spoke warmly about reuniting with Cameron Mackintosh and working with Matthew Bourne, expressing his enthusiasm for the production.

The cast also includes Aaron Sidwell as Bill Sikes, Ava Brennan as Nancy, Aaron MacGregor as the Artful Dodger, Oscar Conlon-Morrey as Mr Bumble, Katy Secombe as Widow Corney, Stephen Matthews as Mr Sowerberry and Dr Grimwig, Jamie Birkett as Mrs Sowerberry and Mrs Bedwin, and Philip Franks as Mr Brownlow.

The role of Oliver is played by Isaac Hackett, James Miller, Thomas Newman, and Jacob Sanders-Jones, while the ensemble features a large company of actors including young members of Fagin’s gang. The production is currently booking at the Gielgud Theatre until 13 March 2027.