Overview
‘Oliver Twist’ is perhaps the most well-known and popular of all of Charles Dickens’ novels, full of iconic moments and memorable characters, ideal for adaptation for stage or screen. As such, it has been done many, many times, with Lionel Bart’s musical ‘Oliver!’ perhaps the most celebrated. In ‘Oliver With A Twist’, the tale retains its wonderful characters and exciting storyline, but – to ensure it is suitable for younger performers – has a number of twists (as you would expect from the name!) which make it feel fresh, fun and wholly original.
Synopsis
The production opens in a workhouse as the orphans are served their disgusting dinner (GRUEL). Oliver asks for more food, prompting Mr. Bumble to chase him out of the workhouse. Oliver meets a kindly carriage driver who takes him to central London.
In a bustling marketplace, Oliver meets Dodger, and they quickly become friends (PLEASED TO MEET YOU). Dodger takes Oliver to his hideout, where he meets the pick-pocketing gang, Nancy, and Mrs. Fagin. After refreshments, Oliver heads out to work with the gang and learns they are pick-pockets (PERFECT LITTLE PICKPOCKET). Oliver is framed as a pick-pocket and brought before an unpleasant magistrate. Fortunately, Mr. Brownlow and witnesses clear him, and Mr. Brownlow takes Oliver home for dinner.
Meanwhile, back at the hideout, Fagin and Nancy worry about the children who haven’t returned from work in time. The gang arrives and informs them that Oliver was captured. Bill Sykes arrives (BILL SYKES) and learns a child was arrested, which could expose their operation. Fagin orders the gang to retrieve Oliver quickly.
At Mr. Brownlow’s house, Oliver wakes up after a comfortable sleep. Mr. Brownlow and Mrs. Bedwin offer him a permanent place in their home (SEARCHING FOR A FAMILY). Oliver happily settles into his new life, meeting Mr. and Mrs. Grimwig. Mr. Grimwig is skeptical of trusting an ex-criminal (ONCE A CRIMINAL), and the group discusses rumours of a local criminal who is exploiting children.
Unfortunately, Nancy and Bill capture Oliver as he leaves Brownlow’s home on an errand and return him to the hideout. Oliver is told that Bill needs his help in a burglary and begs not to go, but Fagin insists (STAY CRAFTY). Distraught about the turn of events, Oliver suspects Brownlow is his long-lost grandfather and confides in Dodger. Dodger suggests Oliver make a loud noise during the burglary to alert the police and save the children in the crime-ring.
At Brownlow’s home, he and his friends decide to go to the police about the crime-ring. Meanwhile, Oliver and Bill arrive at a wealthy property, and Bill forces Oliver through a window. Oliver knocks over an item as Dodger suggested, alerting the house owners, Mrs. Maylie and Rose Maylie. Oliver tells them about the crime ring and asks for their help. Rose goes to the police station. Bill returns to the hideout and tells Fagin, Nancy, and the gang that Oliver has been caught. Fagin packs hurriedly and insists the children come with her. The children beg Nancy to help free them from Fagin, and she decides to go to the police to redeem herself from the life she has lived thus far (RISE LIKE A PHOENIX).
At the police station, Brownlow, his friends, Rose Maylie, and Nancy report the gang. The police gather statements and head to the hideout to arrest Fagin.
Nancy leads the police, Rose, and Brownlow to the hideout, arriving before Fagin can escape. The police greet Bill warmly, revealing he has been an undercover officer working to expose the crime ring. Nancy and the children are freed, and Fagin is arrested. Oliver and Mrs. Maylie arrive, and Oliver shares his suspicion with Brownlow that he is his long-lost grandson. The show concludes with the narrators sharing that Brownlow opened a school, and everyone lived happily ever after (IN OLD LONDON TOWN).
