The boy of nine who gave Oliver! a twist

By Lucy Ballinger for MailOnline and Christian Gysin for the Daily Mail
Updated:

Whether it's Oliver Twist himself or the Artful Dodger, it is expected that a young pickpocket steals the show in any production of Oliver!

But it was a boy in a lesser role that captured the hearts of the audience at the opening night of the latest West End version.

Nine-year-old Daniel Huttlestone was yesterday being feted as a major star in the making after his cheeky debut as Nipper, the youngest in Fagin's gang of urchins.

At home: 9-year-old Daniel Huttlestone, who plays 'Nipper' in Oliver!

At home: 9-year-old Daniel Huttlestone, who plays 'Nipper' in Oliver!

Reviewing Cameron Mackintosh's musical for the Mail, Quentin Letts said theatregoers at Drury Lane's Theatre Royal 'fell in love with him immediately'.

And in the best traditions of the theatre, it emerged that Daniel only secured his big break by accident after another boy who was supposed to be playing Nipper on Wednesday was struck by illness.

'I enjoy doing it, it is great fun,' said Daniel, from Hornchurch, Essex, whose role includes a solo in the song Consider Yourself.

A small hit: Daniel Huttlestone (bottom left) with Rowan Atkinson and other cast members on Oliver!'s opening night

A small hit: Daniel Huttlestone (bottom left) with Rowan Atkinson and other cast members on Oliver!'s opening night

'I do lots of sneaky stuff. I nick Fagin's handkerchief at the end of Pick A Pocket.

'It is my first West End play. But I am a bit tired now as I've done three nights in a row this week.'

Unlike many of his peers, Daniel does not attend a stage school. He was discovered through an 'open casting' session, going through five rounds of auditions.

Daniel with mum Linda and sister Sarah at home in Essex

Daniel with mum Linda and sister Sarah at home in Essex

'Some of the kids at school don't even know I'm in the show,' he said.

And to the delight of his parents - housewife Linda, 44, and company managing director Mark, 46 - it seems talent runs in the family.

Daniel enjoys the Oliver! afterparty with co-star Rowan

Daniel enjoys the Oliver! afterparty with co-star Rowan

Daniel's brother Thomas, 11, will also appear in the West End later this year, in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Oliver!, which has already been hailed a success by many critics, cost £4.5million to stage and has advance ticket sales of £15million.

It uses three groups of children, so that they are not overworked during the show's run.

It is recommended that child stars are paid about half the rate of adults in the West End, who should get a ' minimum of £550 a week', according to actors' union Equity.

But a much more closely guarded secret is how much producers are paying Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson54, for his portrayal of Fagin.

As for Daniel, his contract ends in March, and although he hopes it will be extended, he still does not know if he wants a career on the stage, saying: 'I might do acting or I might do football. I am really into football.'

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