PRESS: Cast announced for OLIVER! at the Artscape this December

Allison Foat

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Pieter Toerien with Cape Town Opera, by special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh, is delighted to announce the principal cast for Lionel Bart’s OLIVER!, directed by Steven Stead and coming to the Artscape Opera House from 11 December 2026.

Jonathan Roxmouth is the wily and charismatic Fagin. Photo by Dirk Joubert.

Based on Charles Dickens’ timeless novel Oliver Twist,  OLIVER! brings one of the most enduring stories in English literature to the stage in a spectacular musical celebration of courage, friendship and the search for a place to call home. With Lionel Bart’s unforgettable score including favourites such as “Food, Glorious Food”, “Consider Yourself” and “Reviewing the Situation”, this much-loved classic continues to delight audiences of all generations.

Leading the cast is Jonathan Roxmouth (A Little Night Music, Key Change, Chicago the Musical) as the wily and charismatic Fagin, with Bethany Dickson (The Addams Family, BUDDY, The Buddy Holly Story) as the warm-hearted and courageous Nancy and Graham Hopkins (Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, My Fair Lady) plays Mr Brownlow. William Berger (The Barber of Seville, The Sound of Music, Bluebeard’s Castle,) is Mr Bumble. Richard Gau (One Piece, Martyrs) is the notorious Bill Sikes. Daniel Anderson (The Tramp, Die Siel van Eugene Marais) plays the irrepressible Artful Dodger, while Chris van Rensburg (The Addams Family, 7de Laan) appears as Mr Sowerberry/Grimwig and Diane Simpson as Mrs Sowerberry/Bedwin. Megan Spencer (The Royal Countess Zingara, My Fair Lady) plays Mrs Corney, Sunny Yoon (Mamma Mia!, One Piece) takes on the role of Bet. Joining the principal cast will be a talented ensemble and a cast of 25 children who will bring the colourful characters and bustling world of Victorian London vividly to life. The young actors playing the role of Oliver will be announced soon.

At the heart of OLIVER! is the story of a brave young orphan who escapes the harsh confines of a workhouse and ventures into the streets of 19th-century London. There, he encounters the charismatic Fagin and his band of young pickpockets, the Artful Dodger, the troubled Bill Sikes and the compassionate Nancy. As Oliver searches for family, belonging and hope, he finds himself caught between a world of hardship and one filled with unexpected kindness.

The Artscape Opera House will provide the setting for this richly theatrical production that combines some of South Africa’s finest musical theatre performers, dynamic choreography, wonderful costumes and a deeply human story that remains as relevant and moving today as ever.

OLIVER! is perfect for the whole family, as well as for lifelong fans of the musical and a new generation discovering Oliver’s story for the first time.

Opening at the Artscape Opera House on 11 December 2026, OLIVER! arrives in Cape Town just in time for the festive season. Following the Mother City run that ends 17 January 2027, the production will transfer to The Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg.

Tickets cost from R220 per person and advance booking through Webtickets and Artscape Dial-A-Seat on 0214217695 is strongly recommended.