Oliver Twist: The Play
Talisman Youth Theatre Presents ‘Oliver Twist: The Play’, at the Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth from 13 – 15 March.
Review by Ashley Hayward.
It was very ambitious for a youth theatre to take on Charles Dickens’ classic tale about the orphan boy and his adventures in the austere and brutal world of Victorian England. However the cast of 10 to 18 year olds were certainly well up to the challenge and provided an extremely powerful production.
Unlike the Lionel Bart musical this version is raw, gritty and realistic and with the help of authentic sets and costumes it provided a real insight into the plight of children in a workhouse as well as the absolute poverty that existed throughout that era.
There were mature performances from all the young actors and the script was enhanced by some very impressive choreography and atmospheric music.
There may have been some that wondered what the Dickens was going on when they read that Oliver was to be played by someone called Alannah Harris but the part of this pious, trusting and innocent young man was very nicely portrayed and, despite being cruelly treated and often surrounded by dreadful adult characters, young Master Twist is able to win the hearts of those that were far more kindly and understanding of his predicament.
The part of the pompous and self-righteous Mr Bumble is taken by Leigh Hall who shows absolutely no compassion toward the children in his care and he forms an entertaining partnership with the self- important and despicable Mrs Corney, callously played by Lilia Clifford.
Billy Arnold is very convincing as the conniving and sinister Fagin, the career criminal who takes in orphaned children and trains them in the art of pick pocketing. He succeeds in appearing to be quite amiable but capable of turning into someone who can be exceedingly menacing.
Harrison Doyle shines as the confident Artful Dodger, the highly skilled young thief who dresses and acts like an adult and is well supported by Fergus Moseley as Charley Bates, another of Fagan’s young pickpockets. There are also notable performances from Jacob Wilson as the vicious and bullying Bill Sikes and from Olivia Leaf as his noble girlfriend Nancy.
I was accompanied to the opening night by a 15 year old who thoroughly enjoyed the performance. When reflecting on the story we agreed about how dreadfully the poor were treated in days before the introduction of our welfare system. However it is worth remembering today that so many of our young people from troubled and unstable backgrounds do not fare very well in our care system and many still eventually drift into a life of crime. Is it no surprise that those that never receive love and encouragement and see no other way out of poverty feel the need to ‘pick a pocket or two’? In many ways Charles Dicken’s messages that those who have the least should receive compassion, empathy and support are perhaps as true now as they were then.
Tickets are now available via the website www.talismantheatre.co.uk or by contacting the Box Office directly on 01926 856548.
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