The Les Misérables musical wouldn’t exist without Oliver!

Consider yourself spoilt with a bonus episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast!

Cameron Mackintosh, Matthew Bourne, Shanay Holmes, Simon Lipkin and Billy Jenkins talk bringing Oliver! to the West End – and why the musical actually led to the conception of Les Misérables on stage!

Within the podcast, Mackintosh explains why the Artful Dodger helped inspire the Les Misérables creators to pen the global sensation musical. The podcast can be listened to on various streaming platforms here – including Apple Podcasts and Audible. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode!

WhatsOnStage managing editor Alex Wood and chief theatre critic Sarah Crompton host a weekly podcast on all things theatrical. News, views, frank exchanges and lists offer an unmissable guide to what’s happening on stage (and in film and on television) now, in the past and in future.

If you’re looking for our main episode, we released it slightly early this week – so click here to see more from the RSC’s co-artistic directors.

We’ve also got a full opening night video for the five-star revival below, if you can’t get enough of Oliver!.