At this time, Bart was beginning to turn his talents to musicals, writing the lyrics for Lock Up Your Daughters as well as music and lyrics for Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be (both 1959). The shows were well received and established Bart's reputation in musical theatre.
Bart's most notable accomplishment was the writing of Oliver! (1960). Adapted from Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist, the musical turns into fable the story of an orphan boy whose circumstances...