The adaptation of Oliver!, which hits the stage in September in Amman, will be directed by prominent Egyptian Khaled Abol Naga who will also star as the criminal character Bill Sikes.

This will not be the first time Abol Naga has performed in a musical. He previously starred in a comedy musical titled West El-Balad, directed by Nasser Abd El-Moneim in 2002 that demonstrated his singing talent. 

Abo El-Naga is best known for his cinematic roles since his major breakthrough in 2001 with Dawod Abdelsayed’s Mowaten We Mokhber We Haramy (A Citizen, An Informant and a Thief).

He also performed on stage in four plays during the 1990’s.

Written by Lionel Bart in 1968, Oliver! is an adaptation of the original 1838 classic novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

The Arabic adaptation swaps the original London setting of the plot with modern day Amman, Jordan.

The performers are a mix of professional actors and young amateur actors from Syria and Jordan, with the child Fady El-Asal playing Oliver.

The music director is Nayer Nagui, a well-known Egyptian composer and conductor at the Cairo Opera House. Nagui is also the founder and artistic director of the Cairo Celebration Choir. 

The play will open on 1 September and run for three nights.

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