This is the first time we’ve seen an adaptation of the famous novel by Charles Dickens as a stage play rather than Lionel Bart’s musical theatre version, and although we absolutely love the musical, this is a welcome alternative.
This version has been cleverly adapted by Deborah McAndrew, and really is the perfect show for Christmas.
After being born in the workhouse on Christmas eve, the story follows a year in the life of Oliver Twist from age nine.
The scenes in the workhouse show the children drawing lots to decide who is going to ask for more gruel. Oliver draws the short straw to deliver that famous line. Mr Bumble, who is in charge of the workhouse, does not take kindly to the request and Oliver is sent away and sold as an undertaker’s apprentice, working for Mr Sowerbery, played by Samuel Heron.
After being bullied at the undertakers by older apprentice Noah, played by Zach Atkinson, Oliver runs away to London and bumps into the Artful Dodger, who offers him a place to stay, and introduces him to Fagin.
Fagin – who runs a gang of young thieves – has his sights set on recruiting Oliver into the world of pickpocketing and begins training him. Ultimately, Oliver manages to escape the criminal world and with the help of Nancy – who works for Fagin – is reunited with Mr Brownlow, whose paths had crossed previously when Oliver was wrongly accused of stealing.
This version is not the musical, but it has music throughout, helping to pace the narrative with beautiful carols and folk songs. The talented cast double up as musicians, creating an atmospheric, magical feel to the performance.
The cast, often playing two or more roles, work well together. The star of the show is Oliver, played by William Poyser-Alton. He is totally convincing as the young, innocent boy who remains optimistic despite what life throws at him.
Nancy and Bill Sikes, played by Analiese Emerson Guettinger and Dan McGarry are both strong characters in their own right and also work really well together. The scene where Nancy meets her demise at the hands of the evil Bill Sikes is really powerful despite the actors not occupying the same space.
Polly Lister’s Fagin is equally as powerful, portraying the manipulative villain exploiting the boys for profit. Iris Laverne is excellent in the role as Fagin’s chief pickpocket, the Artful Dodger.
The unlikely pairing – apart from greed – of Mr and Mrs Bumble is brilliantly depicted by Mr Bumble, played by Michael Mahoney and Widow Corney, played by Katherine Toy. Lines are excellently delivered by this couple, including Mr Bumble’s famous line “the law is an ass!”
The eight children playing Fagin’s gang and the orphans – Ophelie Balkota, Florence Batten, Alsic Doherty, India Doman, Isabelle Naylor, Charlotte Race, Anay Ruparel and Darwin Shaw all played their parts with such professionalism, and worked well together.
The staging, set on three levels, depicting the One Tun Tavern where Nancy works and where Bill Sikes and Fagin frequent, the entrance to Fagins den, and the home of Mr Brownlow coupled with the lighting really brings this stage adaptation to life.
The attention to detail in the costumes, by Arnim Friess did not go unnoticed, and the wonderful scenes at the end of this production really do look like they have been taken straight from a Christmas card.
★★★★
Oliver is at Derby Theatre until Saturday, January 3.
Tickets £15.50-£36
