OLIVER! Character Descriptions
All ages “playing” ages, and approximate
MALE
Character
Range
Treble
Oliver
Baritone
Fagin
Dodger
Bill Sykes
Treble –
belt sound
Bass
Baritone
Tenor
Mr Bumble
Mr Brownlow
Mr
Sowerberry
Noah
Claypole
Dr Grimwig
Charley
Bates
No solo
singing
Baritone
No solo
singing
No solos
treble
Trebles
Boys
Vocal:
All ranges
required
Male
ensemble
Knife grinder
Bullseye bull terrier
baritone
No solo
singing
Accent
A workhouse boy about 11 years of age.
British (not
prefer <135cm – Strong singing & acting
cockney)
An elderly receiver – runs a training academy Character
for young pickpockets. Skinny preferred 45cockney
50+ Bravura character acting
Fagin’s brightest pupil – plays an undersized Cockney
16 – feisty and energetic
A villain in his prime aged 30 – 45. Vicious
Cockney
and large
A large and pompous Beadle of the
British (not
workhouse +/- ensemble 40+
cockney)
An old gentleman of wealth and breeding
British (not
+ ensemble 50+
cockney)
The Undertaker – creepy and oily. 40+
British (not
Ideally tall + ensemble
cockney)
The undertaker’s apprentice. A vicious bully. British (not
16-20 + ensemble
cockney)
A doctor – grumpy and critical. 50+
British (not
cockney)
Part of Fagin’s gang - Small & tough <15
Cockney
years
Preferably no taller than 140cm with
Cockney and
excellent singing skills and who move well
traditional
British
Workhouse Governors, workers in the
Cockney and
workhouse, thieves, London merchants,
traditional
street vendors, bar keepers, policemen etc. . British accents
Opportunity for featured dancers. Some
required
movement required for all ensemble.
Solo lines in “Who will buy”
Cockney
Bull terrier dog (perhaps)
OLIVER! Character Descriptions
All ages “playing” ages, and approximate
FEMALE
Character
Range
Mezzo
Belt/Jazz
sound
Nancy
Mezzo
Bet
Mezzo
Mrs Corney
Mezzo
Mrs Sowerberry
n/a
Charlotte
Mezzo
Mrs Bedwin
n/a
Plays 23 years old – a graduate of
Fagin’s academy & inexplicably devoted
to Bill. Tough and loud with a deeply
buried softer centre.
Plays 15 year old lass in Fagin’s
establishment – idolises Nancy
+ ensemble
A sharp-tongued, domineering Widow,
who can be coy when it suits her. The
Workhouse mistress +/- ensemble
The undertaker’s wife – bitter and
unloving 40+ + ensemble
The sluttish young daughter of the
Sowerberry’s. 15-19 yrs & ensemble
Brownlow’s House keeper 45-65 years.
A kindly loving person & ensemble
A dying pauper
Old Sally
Female
ensemble
Rose seller
Milkmaid
Strawberry
seller
Vocal:
Workhouse workers, London
All ranges merchants, street vendors, bar patrons,
required
house maids, etc. Opportunity for
featured dancers. Some movement
required for all ensemble.
Mezzo
Solo lines in “Who will buy”
Mezzo
Solo lines in “Who will buy”
Mezzo
Solo lines in “Who will buy”
Accent
Cockney
Cockney
British (not
cockney)
British (not
cockney)
British (not
cockney)
British (not
cockney)
British (not
cockney)
Cockney and
traditional British
accents required.