Oliver Twist
by Charles Dickens
Adapted by PAUL STEBBINGS & PHIL SMITH
Directed by PAUL STEBBINGS
Music composed by THOMAS JOHNSON
Produced by GRANTLY MARSHALL
Duration: 90 min.
Q&A: can be arranged
Study material: free of charge
CAST:
Martin Christopher as Fagin
Isabel HOrner as Oliver
Eva Regan as Artful Dodger
Emma Sandborgh as Nancy
Jacob Hutchings as Bill Sikes
Charles Dickens wrote the great line that shook the world “Please, Sir, I want some more!” and this production takes up his challenge to give justice to those who live in poverty. As the rich get richer and the poor poorer, what could be more relevant than Dickens masterpiece?
OLIVER TWIST has been described as the first modern novel. It is one of the few novels whose characters have entered into modern myth - Fagin, Bill, Nancy and the Artful Dodger can claim to be some of the best known literary creations outside of Shakespeare. The enormous energy of these characters and the full bloodied portrait of the first modern urban nightmare, London, make the story not only exciting and dramatic, but also truly contemporary. The themes and social issues raised by Dickens are as relevant today as they were when the novel was published over one hundred and sixty years ago.
The central theme is the link between poverty and crime. Beyond that it explores the way society treats its weakest members. Dickens’ style is highly theatrical, switching between the almost documentary to the comic, from action-packed narrative to emotional drama and indeed he himself gave dramatic readings of much of OLIVER TWIST to huge audiences in Britain and the USA. TNT sweep away the sentimentality of so many versions and present the story through the eyes of Fagin as he stands on the gallows awaiting execution. The story is his last attempt at justifying his life of crime.
The audience too must answer if he was indeed at fault. Is he a criminal or a victim? Does he care for his boy thieves or does he exploit them?
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