Lionel Bart (August 1, 1930 April 3, 1999) was a writer and composer of British pop music and musicals, best known for creating the book, music & lyrics for Oliver! "Where is Love?" is a song from the Tony Award-winning British musical Oliver!, and the 1968 film Oliver! (film) based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. The musical was penned by Lionel Bart, and was first staged in London's West End in 1960.
Oliver, the leading character, sings the song after being thrown into the cellar of a funeral parlour for getting into a fight with Noah Claypole, another servant of the undertaker.
In the 1968 musical film version of Oliver!, "Where is Love?" was performed onscreen by Mark Lester, whose singing voice was reportedly dubbed by Kathe Green, (the daughter of the film's conductor and musical arranger, Johnny Green), though Lester was actually given credit on the soundtrack album.[1]. The song has been covered by a number of singers, most notably by Irene Kral on her "Where Is Love?" album, as well as Jack Jones, Declan Donnelly, and Leonard Nimoy.[citation needed]Lionel Bart (August 1, 1930 April 3, 1999) was a writer and composer of.