The musical is loosely based upon "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens. In a Victorian workhouse a group of young boys clammer through its doors to get their daily ration of food – an evil looking gruel. One such boy, an innocent, blonde-haired child called Oliver dares to ask the official Mr Bumble for some more. Outraged, he decides to sell Oliver, desperate to find him a new home.

Oliver is sold to Mr Sowerberry, an undertaker, but he soon runs away. On the streets of London he meets a friendly pick-pocket called the Artful Dodger who takes him to meet Fagin, the leader of a gang of young apprentice thieves.

Fagin is a rogue but he's held in regard and seen as somewhat of a benefactor by the boys. On the other hand fellow criminal Bill Sykes is a bully, cruel not only to the young thieves but also to his woman, Nancy.

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The day after becoming part of Fagin's gang, Oliver accompanies Dodger and his fellows on a pick-pocketing mission. Arrested for looking guilty, he is put in the custody of the police, but when his innocence is proved he is taken in by a kindly old gentleman, Mr Brownlow.

Oliver is happy in his new-found home and dreams it will last. But such dreams are short-lived when, dispatched by Fagin, Nancy lures him away. Meanwhile, Mr Bumble, hearing of Oliver's new wealthy benefactor, returns to try and broke some kind of deal over the boy.

Nancy, regretting her part in the kidnapping, plans to take Oliver back, despite her fear of Sykes. Realising she has tricked him, Sykes tracks Nancy down and murders her. With the police on his tail, he takes the boy. A chase follows over the rooftops of London and Sykes is shot dead.

Safe at last, Oliver is returned to the home of Mr Brownlow, where he is told that he is in fact his grandfather.

Source: BBC, Wikipedia