Matt Lucas’s West End theatre run to end this weekend

Fans have just days left to see Matt Lucas in the West End production of Oliver!

Matt Lucas is keeping busy with a string of projects across theatre, television and literature, with the comedian currently taking on one of musical theatre’s most recognisable characters in London’s West End.

Best known for co-creating and starring in Little Britain alongside David Walliams, Lucas has built a varied career spanning comedy, acting, presenting and writing. His latest work sees him return to the stage, compete in Channel 4’s Taskmaster and continue developing his career as a children’s author.

Here’s everything to know about what Matt Lucas is doing now, including his limited run in Oliver!, his latest television appearance and some of his best-known roles.

Matt Lucas is starring in Oliver! until 1 November

One of Lucas’s biggest current projects is his appearance in the West End musical Oliver!.

The actor is playing Fagin in the London production at the Gielgud Theatre, taking over the role for a strictly limited six-week run from 22 September until 1 November 2026. He is temporarily replacing Simon Lipkin, who is due to return to the production after his break.

The musical, based on Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist, follows the young orphan Oliver as he navigates the hardships of Victorian London and becomes involved with Fagin and his gang of pickpockets.

Fagin is a particularly memorable character, combining comic moments with a more complicated role in Oliver’s journey. The part gives Lucas an opportunity to bring his distinctive comic timing to a major musical theatre production.

The engagement also has a personal connection for the performer. Lucas has spoken about his longstanding affection for Oliver! and the impact the musical had on him as a child.

His run is only temporary, however, with 1 November marking the end of his scheduled performances as Fagin. Theatre fans hoping to see him in the role should note the limited dates and check the official production listings for performance-specific cast information.

Matt Lucas is competing in Taskmaster series 22

Away from the stage, Lucas is appearing in the 22nd series of Channel 4’s comedy challenge show Taskmaster.

Presented by Greg Davies, with Alex Horne serving as his assistant, the programme sees comedians take on a series of unusual tasks designed to test their creativity, problem-solving skills and willingness to make a fool of themselves.

Lucas is competing alongside Chloe Petts, Isy Suttie, Nina Conti and Richard Ayoade in the 2026 series.

The show provides another opportunity for audiences to see his comic personality outside scripted sketches and acting roles. Given his background in character comedy and his experience with improvisation, his participation adds another dimension to a career that has regularly moved between different styles of entertainment.

Taskmaster is also a natural fit for Lucas, whose television work has frequently relied on playful performances, unexpected humour and an ability to inhabit eccentric characters.

He is returning to one of his best-known theatre roles

Lucas has a long association with Les Misérables, having played Monsieur Thénardier in several major productions over the years.

His theatre credits include the musical’s 25th Anniversary Concert in 2010, a West End engagement at the Queen’s Theatre in 2011, performances at the Gielgud Theatre and Sondheim Theatre in 2019, and the Les Misérables: The Arena Concert Spectacular world tour spanning 2024–2026.

Thénardier is a very different character from Fagin, but both roles allow Lucas to combine comedy with larger-than-life theatrical performances.

His work in Les Misérables has also established him as a familiar face to musical theatre audiences, extending his appeal beyond his television comedy background. West End Theatre+1

Matt Lucas is continuing his writing career

Lucas is also an established author, with several children’s books to his name.

His writing credits include The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas, a children’s novel that was shortlisted for the British Book Awards in 2024, and his more recent children’s novel, Bobland.

His literary work represents another side of his creative career, allowing him to develop stories and characters beyond the screen and stage.

Lucas has previously published his memoir, Little Me, and written children’s books including Thank You, Baked Potato. His writing career has become an important part of his wider work as an entertainer. Matt Lucas

What films and television shows has Matt Lucas appeared in?

Lucas has an extensive list of screen credits, ranging from British sketch comedy to Hollywood films.

His best-known television work includes:

• Little Britain – the hit sketch show he co-created and starred in with David Walliams.
• Come Fly with Me – another comedy series created with Walliams.
• Shooting Stars – the surreal panel show where he played George Dawes.
• Doctor Who – in which he played Nardole.
• The Great British Bake Off – which he co-hosted alongside Noel Fielding.
• Fantasy Football League – another presenting credit.
• Gavin & Stacey – among his other television appearances.
• QI, Travel Man and RuPaul’s Drag Race – programmes in which he has also appeared.

His international television credits include Community, Fresh Off the Boat, Portlandia, Galavant and Man Seeking Woman. His range has allowed him to move between British comedy, American sitcoms, panel shows and science fiction.

On the big screen, Lucas has appeared in Alice in Wonderland, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Bridesmaids, Shaun of the Dead, Paddington, Gnomeo & Juliet, Missing Link and Wonka. He also appeared in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, continuing his work in major film productions. British Comedy Guide+1

Matt Lucas’s podcast work

Lucas has also explored podcasting, including Making a Scene, which he co-hosted with David Walliams.

The series featured guests including Alan Carr, Daisy May Cooper and Richard E. Grant, with conversations built around the guests’ lives and experiences.

However, no further episodes of Making a Scene are planned, so it should not be confused with an ongoing podcast commitment.

Lucas has also been associated with Howler, a football podcast on talkSPORT alongside Jason Cundy. Its current release schedule and status should be checked against the latest listings before assuming new episodes are continuing.

What is next for Matt Lucas?

With his Oliver! engagement ending on 1 November, Lucas’s immediate West End run is approaching its conclusion. His appearance as Fagin is a limited engagement rather than a permanent change to the production’s cast. London 2026+1

His participation in Taskmaster and his continuing work as an author demonstrate that he remains active across several areas of entertainment.

From the extraordinary characters of Little Britain to major films, musical theatre and children’s fiction, Lucas has developed a career that is difficult to place in just one category.

For fans wondering what he is doing now, the answer is that he is still performing, writing and exploring new creative opportunities — with his latest West End role offering a chance to see him live before his short run as Fagin comes to an end.

What to read next:

Share this post with someone you think would like it…