Cameron Mackintosh has announced he will present Rowan Atkinson as Fagin the forthcoming production of Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The dates for the production have also been confirmed with performances beginning on 12 December 2008.

Rupert Goold (Best Director, 2008 Olivier Awards), will be directing the production, which is based on Sam Mendes’ triumphant 1994 staging, along with Tony award winning co-director and choreographer Matthew Bourne. Production design is by Anthony Ward; lighting design by Paule Constable and sound is by Paul Groothuis, with orchestrations by William D Brohn and musical supervision by Martin Koch.

Rowan Atkinson has enjoyed a hugely successful career on stage, television and film for over 30 years. A founder member of the BBC’s Not the Nine O’clock News team; in 1981 he became the youngest performer to have a one-man show in the West End. The sell-out season won him a SWET Award and the show toured the UK and internationally. Television credits include four series of Blackadder; Mr Bean, the highest rated UK comedy of the 90’s, which was seen in over 200 countries, and the Ben Elton sitcom, The Thin Blue Line. Rowan was twice voted BBC Personality of the Year. Film credits include The Tall Guy; The Witches; Four Weddings and a Funeral; The Lion King; Scooby Doo; Love Actually; Johnny English and the international blockbusters Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie and Mr Bean’s Holiday.

Tickets will go on sale on Monday 7th April at 9am, and purchases can be made via this website.