Simon Lipkin and Shanay Holmes on starring in 'Oliver!' in the West End

The West End stars, who have more than 30 theatre credits between them, discuss appearing in producer Cameron Mackintosh's revival of Oliver! at the Gielgud Theatre.

Simon Lipkin and Shanay Holmes are a perfect pairing to take on the roles of Fagin and Nancy in Oliver!, following in the footsteps of a long line of prominent stage actors including Barry Humphries with Marti Webb in 1967, Jonathan Pryce with Sally Dexter in 1994, and Rowan Atkinson with Jodie Prenger in 2008. With about 30 musical theatre credits between them, including Avenue Q, Spamalot, Miss Saigon, and The Bodyguard, they bring a wealth of experience to the roles of career criminal Fagin and the kind-hearted Nancy.

How did you feel when you were cast in Oliver!?

Simon Lipkin: This is quite a beautiful, full-circle moment. I was in the original cast of Avenue Q that Cameron presented in London, and I was 19 when he took a chance on me for that. I’m now 38, so it’s nearly 20 years down the line, and here I am again working for the person who introduced me as a leading man and who has now given me the next phase of my musical career.

Shanay Holmes: This is absolutely the high point of my career. It’s not just the title and that the role is so iconic but that I’ve been chosen by one of the most influential producers in our industry; I feel extremely honoured.

Were you familiar with the musical?

Lipkin: I saw Jonathan Pryce do it at the Palladium when I was 8 or 9 and remember leaving the theatre and my dad saying, ‘Would you like to play the Artful Dodger?’, and I said, ‘Don’t be silly, I’d like to play Fagin: it’s the best role.’” It feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life to play this part.

Holmes: I had never seen a stage production, but like so many people, I had totally fallen in love with the film version. Nancy was a role I had always loved but never envisioned for myself, so I was very emotional when I got the part.

Have you read Dickens’s novel?

Lipkin: I read a lot of Dickens when I was younger. Did I read it again before starting this? No, but I have read it!

Holmes: I’m not the most academic of people but I’ve listened to it on audiobook. It took me by surprise, actually, as to how different it felt to the musical.

What points of identification do you have with your characters?

Lipkin: The fact that Fagin is Jewish, and that I am, means that we can celebrate his Jewish heritage in this production. People say, “you’re not playing him very Jewish are you,” and in fact I am: that’s who he is.

Holmes: It’s amazing how much this story feels so similar to my own. I was brought up on the breadline the eldest of four children of a single mum: we didn’t have much at all but were blessed with a mum who made the best of everything. My mum has always had a very clear, positive outlook on life, so I understand what it’s like to play someone like Nancy who’s inherently good.

What’s it like sharing the stage with lots of children?

Lipkin: Joyous. You’re dealing with young people whose imaginations are so intact that you’re no longer acting, you’re truly listening and responding as you’re supposed to.

Holmes: Children only enhance the telling of the story in terms of the reality they’re in. There’s not a moment that I’m onstage with them where I’ve not felt completely alive.

Shanay, it must be striking that you’re inheriting a part played on screen by the wonderful Shani Wallis, who’s still with us at age 91.

Holmes: I know, and Shani is what my mum calls me for short. So this part feels very aligned!

Simon, with regard to the criminality of Fagin, how are your pickpocketing skills?

Lipkin: Not bad! My other job is as a professional magician which I have been doing since I was a little boy. I’ve spent my life learning sleight of hand and misdirection alongside acting, so this is literally the perfect part.

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Photo credit: Simon Lipkin and Shanay Holmes. (Photos by Matt Crockett)

This article first appeared in the December issue of London Theatre Magazine.