Oliver! Character Descriptions

Please review each character carefully. All roles are open and WMP encourages all performers to submit for any role with which they identify regardless of type, gender, age, race or ethnicity.

*All Children 12 and under will need to be accompanied by an adult at all rehearsals *

Principal Roles

Oliver Twist

An orphan workhouse boy, age range 8-13, singer (smooth boyish soprano)/actor. British (not cockney) accent, bright and innocent. Vocal Range A3/F5

Artful Dodger

A street kid, age range 13-18, singer/actor. Cockney accent. Very energetic, highly personable, intelligent and savvy beyond his years, Fagin’s right hand “man”. Vocal Range A3/F5

Fagin

Middle aged leader of a children’s band of thieves, age range 35- 60s, singer/actor. Cockney accent. Described as devious, a user, sly fox, con man, very personable. Vocal Range B3/Fb5

Nancy

When she was younger worked for Fagin, now a “barmaid” at the Three Cripples Bar, age range 20-30s, singer (good belt)/actress should have decent movement skills. Cockney accent. Pretty, intelligent, longs for a better life. Vocal RangeE3/B4

Bill Sykes

Also worked for Fagin as a youth now a feared master criminal, age range 25-40s actor/singer (baritone). Cockney accent. Good looking in a rough sort of way, sociopath, a killer who only looks out for himself. Vocal Range C#3/C4

Mr. Bumble

The Master of the Workhouse, age range 35-65, singer (high tenor)/actor. Cockney accent. A large, pompous and corrupt bureaucrat. Vocal Range C3/A4

Widow Corney

The Mistress of the Workhouse, age range 30-50, singer (soprano belt)/ actress. Cockney accent. Sharp tongued widow, also corrupt. Vocal Range C4/E5

Bet

Bet: Nancy’s friend ,may also have worked for Fagin, age range 13-25, singer/actress should move well. Cockney accent. She idolizes Nancy. C4/C5

Other Roles

Mr. Sowerberry

The undertaker, age range 30-60, actor/singer (baritone). Cockney accent. Kind of creepy, “buys” Oliver from Bumble to work in the funeral home as a coffin follower, may be an alcoholic. Vocal Range Bb3/F4

Mrs. Sowerberry

The undertaker’s wife, age range 30-60, actress/singer (mezzo). Cockney accent. More business savvy than her husband. Vocal Range C4/E5

Noah Claypole

Undertaker’s apprentice, age range 18-25, actor. Cockney accent. May have also come from Workhouse. Feels threatened by, dislikes and torments Oliver.

Charlotte

Sowerberry’s daughter, age range 16-21, actress. Cockney accent. Attracted to Noah, kind of flirty.

Mr. Brownlow

Older gentleman, age range 40-60, actor/singer. British (not cockney) accent. Kind upper class gentleman, Oliver’s grandfather.

Dr. Grimwig

A doctor, age range 35-60, actor. British (not cockney) accent. Upper class, friend of Mr. Brownlow.

Mrs. Bedwin

A housekeeper, age range 35-55. British (not cockney) accent. Works for Mr. Brownlow. Warm personality.

Workhouse KIDS

Age ranges 8-18, will cast boys AND girls.

Fagins Boys

Age range 8-18

Featured Soloists

Rose Seller (mezzo-D3/C5)

Strawberry Seller (soprano-Eb4/Eb5)

Milk Maid (soprano-Eb4-F5)

Knife Grinder (baritone-Bb3/C4)

Ensemble

There are many smaller roles that will be filled by ensemble let us know if you have any “special skills”