OLIVER! – the classic stage musical, written by Lionel Bart – is coming to the Thameside Theatre in Grays.

The adaptation of the Dickens novel Oliver Twist, which will featureGrays boys and girls as starving orphans and pickpockets, is being put on by Thurrock Thameside Musical Society.

Full of catchy songs, such as I’d Do Anything and Food Glorious Food, the musical will be directed by Scott Dean, who directed the society’s most successful productions – including the award-winning Eurobeat.

The show follows the Thurrock Operatic Society’s successful staging of Bart’s musical Blitz! earlier this year.

Scott said: “This is the first show I ever did as a child, so I know what my young cast are going through. It can be quite daunting, but as soon as we get to the theatre, everything will click into place and they will have a fantastic time – as will the audiences watching them.”

The story follows orphan Oliver in London as he finds himself going from the workhouse to the seemingly cosy den of Fagin, a thief, the Artful Dodger, who is a thief in training, and Bill Sykes, a thug with a temper.

Ashton Moore is the musical director, having worked on many shows, including BillyElliot, Rent and Godspell, and Emma Turner will choreograph.

Running evenings from Tuesday, June 30, to Saturday, July 4, with a matinee on the Saturday, tickets can be booked through the society box office on 07812 672877 or email ttms@hotmail.co.uk