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Edward Cooke, Edward Holtom, Zac Hurst and Ethan Smith are Oliver
Oliver is the young orphan whose famous request, "Please Sir. I want some more", sees him turned out of the orphanage and onto the streets of London.
Actor Biography
Edward Cooke
Edward is nine and lives in West Yorkshire with his parents, sisters Lucy and Imogen and brother William. He attends classes in Drama and Dance at Stage ’84, the Yorkshire School of Performing Arts. Edward made his professional debut at six, playing Chip in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast followed by Toby in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Alhambra, Bradford). In 2008-09 he toured as Michael Banks in Mary Poppins. Also, The Wizard of Oz and the lead in Oliver! (Stage ’84). Television includes: Heartbeat with George Cole, The Royal, What’s Your News? and commercials for Iceland and Stena-Line ferries.
Edward enjoys writing plays, reading and anything to do with Doctor Who. He thanks his family for their love and support and also gives a big thanks to all his teachers at Stage ’84. It is a dream come true to play Oliver in the West End.
Actor Biography
Edward Holtom
Even before Edward started school, he enjoyed drama. At four he joined Best Theatre Arts in St Albans where he learned dance, drama and singing. He took the lead role of Scrooge at his primary school in St Albans where he is a Year 6 pupil. Edward has appeared in television commercials. Before being picked for the part of Oliver, Edward spent six months in the Pickwick team of Workhouse Boys. His hobbies include The Sims, the Cressida Cowell stories and lots of music.
Actor Biography
Zac Hurst
Zac is 12 and lives in Wanstead, East London, with his mum, dad, brother Josh and sister Yasmina. He attends Wanstead High School. From the age of two Zac has loved to sing. He has sung in primary school talent shows and school productions. Oliver! was his West End debut, when he played one of the workhouse boys. He is now thrilled to be playing Oliver. He enjoys playing cricket for his local team, Wanstead Cricket Club, in his spare time. He continues to play guitar and piano along with his other hobbies, which include skateboarding, tennis and table tennis. Zac would particularly like to thank his mum and dad for their ongoing encouragement, and his friends and family who have been so positive and supportive.
Actor Biography
Ethan Smith
Ethan is 11 and lives in Enfield, North London, with his parents and younger sisters Rianna and Imogen. He is passionate about music and plays both piano and keyboard and enjoys writing his own songs. Ethan attends the Vallé Academy of Performing Arts in Hertfordshire, where he was awarded the Vallé Scholarship, the 2007 Speech and Drama Award and the 2009 workshop dance award. He is in the recent Herta Frankfurter ad campaign as Super Boy and has appeared in local productions, including Rooster in Annie,
Feargal in Back to the ’80s and Fat Sam in Bugsy Malone. Ethan made his West End chorus debut in 2008 with the original cast of Oliver! and is thrilled to now take on the role of Oliver. It is a dream come true. He wishes to thank his family, friends, teachers at his primary school, Vallé and his agent, Jayne, for their amazing encouragement and support.
