Cameron Mackintosh, in association with Southbrook Group Limited and Stage Entertainment UK, are delighted to announce a national tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Lionel Bart’s smash hit musical OLIVER!, opening at Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff, starring Neil Morrissey as Fagin, on 20 December 2011, with previews from 10 December 2011. Full tour schedule attached.

Neil Morrissey and Brian Conley will both play the role of Fagin at different venues.

Neil Morrisey will star as Fagin in Cardif (10 December 2011 to 21 January 2012), Manchester (24 January to 10 March 2012), Birmingham (13 March to 1 April 2012), Leeds (6 November to 8 December 2012) and Bristol (15 January to 2 March 2013).

Whereas Brian Conley will perform the role of Fagin in Birmingham (3 to 21 April 2012), Southampton (1 to 26 May 2012), Edimburgo (30 May to 23 June 2012), Plymouth (7 August to 8 September 2012) and Newcastle (11 September to 13 November 2012).

Neil Morrissey is probably best known as Tony in the hugely successful TV series ‘Men Behaving Badly’. His other TV credits include ‘Waterloo Road’, ‘Skins’, ‘Paradise Heights’ and ‘Carrie and Barry’. No stranger to the stage, Neil’s West End theatre credits include Victoria Wood’s ‘Acorn Antiques’, Nathan Detroit in GUYS AND DOLLS and ‘A Passionate Woman. His film credits include ‘Up ‘n’ Under’.

Brian Conley Is one of the UK’s most versatile actors and performers. His West End stage credits include Edna Turnblad in HAIRSPRAY at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Caractacus Potts in CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG at the London Palladium, as well as originating the role of Al Jolson in JOLSON at the Victoria Palace for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. On television, he is probably best known for playing Doug Digby in ‘The Grimleys’, his ITV1 show ‘The Brian Conley Show’, his hugely successful ‘An Audience with Brian Conley’ and numerous Royal Variety Performances.
 
Further casting will be announced soon.

Cameron Mackintosh said: “It is 46 years since I appeared in the first national tour of OLIVER! and this show has been close to my heart ever since. Little did I know then that I would one day be this brilliant musical’s producer and co-owner. Every time I produce the show Lionel Bart’s marvellous musical becomes a smash hit all over again, so I’m thrilled to bring you yet another spectacular new version starring Neil Morrissey and Brian Conley.“

Bill Taylor, CEO of Stage Entertainment UK said: “Everybody here at Stage Entertainment is delighted to be working with Cameron and his team on this beloved show.  Both companies have a great history of bringing West End productions to theatres across the UK and to be doing it together on OLIVER! is hugely exciting.  Audiences are in for a spectacular show.”

The sensational score of OLIVER! is full of Lionel Bart’s irresistible songs including “Food Glorious Food”, “Consider Yourself”, “You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two”, “I’d Do Anything”, “Oom Pah Pah” and “As Long As He Needs Me”.

OLIVER! recently completed a two year run at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London where it opened to rave reviews, sell-out business and the biggest advance sales of all time for a West End show. Last year, OLIVER! celebrated its 50th birthday, having premiered in the West End in 1960.