TEHRAN -- Hussein Parsai’s latest theatrical spectacle, the musical Oliver Twist, has captured the hearts of more than 70,000 audience members, with standout improvisational moments by Hootan Shakiba in the role of Fagin generating widespread buzz.
Parsai’s rendition of the classic tale is currently playing to packed audiences at the Tennis Stadium in Tehran’s Enghelab Sports Complex. Due to popular demand, additional performances have been added for November 21, 22, and 23, with daily attendance reaching roughly 6,000 theatergoers.
The production has already made headlines for celebrity appearances behind the scenes, including a visit from acclaimed singer Alireza Ghorbani, which quickly went viral on social media.
To ensure audience comfort during the colder months, organizers have installed six new heaters and covered the stadium, demonstrating a commitment to blending scale with experience. 
Yet it is Shakiba’s spontaneous interactions as Fagin that have truly resonated with viewers. Using humor to address the audience on the ban against photography, Shakiba’s quick-witted improvisation has sparked a wave of social media attention, highlighting the actor’s remarkable creativity and stage presence.
Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Oliver Twist chronicles the hardships of a young boy navigating 19th-century London. The musical adaptation, penned by Lionel Bart in 1960, has become one of the most celebrated productions in theatrical history and was later adapted into an Oscar-winning musical film by Carol Reed in 1968.
Parsai’s current production revisits his 2017 staging, which ran for 120 performances at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall. The new version features a full redesign, fresh artistic direction, and musical arrangements by Lionel Bart, dramaturgy by Muhammadreza Kouhestani, and a talented ensemble of actors, singers, and production staff. 
While remaining faithful to the original story, this updated version emphasizes social inequality and life’s harsh realities through nuanced changes in the script and select musical numbers.
The cast includes over 150 performers and crew members, featuring Hootan Shakiba, Behnoush Tabatabai, Banipal Shomon, and Amir-Kaveh Ahaninjan, with special appearances by Siamak Ansari and Kazem Sayahi. Young actors Rayan Sarlek, Parham Gholamloo, and Arsham Jahanpanah bring Oliver and Dodger to life, under the artistic direction of Soheil Danesh-Eshraghi.
Produced by Jalil Kia under the Harir Honar Shargh Cultural and Artistic Institute, Oliver Twist stands as one of this fall’s largest-scale musical productions, with Mahmoud Shobeyri serving as senior advisor.