what exactly happens in this scene? what are the roles of children, and of pick pockets? My young daughter was cast in it along with adults. thanks!

It depends on the production, I suppose. There were no children in that scene in our production, because it is essentially a bar song about, well, things people do while under the influence of alcohol.

I found out that there will be 3 young kids who will run into the bar during "oompah" and steal a few things. They are too young for Fagin's gang so they will have a small appearance there.

For the sake of conversation...

In our production, a few of the older pickpockets were also in the adult ensemble, myself included. Me and two other guys served drinks throughout the number (we were eleven at the time, and according to our director, it was not uncommon for preteens to be found doing this). Some of our friends a year or so older had somehow slipped inside the bar to be served. I doubt security was that tight. It really just depends on the variety a director is looking for and how they want to portray Dickensian London.

thanks acting dude! I think our great director wanted to find a spot for my little girl to be a "pick pocket" since she asked him and since she is too young for Fagins gang. So he just decided to have some fun with the oompah scene. The beauty of theater!