Twelve-year-old Oliver Jarvis has secured the lead role in an upcoming production of the much-loved show Oliver! .

“I’m really excited about the show,” said Oliver, from Whitehaven. “Rehearsals are going really well and I’m excited to get started.”

The show, by Whitehaven Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society, will be performed in Whitehaven Civic Hall in March. It’ll be Oliver’s first foray into local theatre, although he has previous experience in school plays and, latterly, with Cowper’s School of Dance, in which he has taken part in carnivals and other showpiece events.

He only auditioned for Oliver! after tagging along to auditions with sister Willow, who would secure the part of Charlotte.

“I had to read from the script and sing Where Is Love? , which is Oliver’s signature song. I’m looking forward to opening night.”

The rest of the cast are Jon Lucas as the Artful Dodger; Stuart Evans as Fagin, Jamie Wilson as Bill Sikes, Dave Flitcroft as Mr Bumble, Ian Quirk as Mr Sowerberry, John Killen as Noah Claypole, Alistair Jones as Mr Brownlow, Ripley Steele as Dr Grimwig, Daniel Dodd as Charlie, Becky Hardman as Nancy, Lynn McTiffin as Widow Corney, Elizabeth Dodd as Mrs Sowerberry, Willow Jarvis as Charlotte, Lois Anderson as Bet; Val Milling as Mrs Bedwin, Elizabeth Simpson as Old Sally, Carolyn Witt as Rose Seller and Tracy McOuat as Strawberry Seller.