

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. Beyond that it explores the way society treats its weakest members. The central theme is the link between poverty and crime. 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 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. 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. OLIVER TWIST has been described as the first modern novel. As the rich get richer and the poor poorer, what could be more relevant than Dickens masterpiece? 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.
