Theater: Oliver

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Oliver

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This delightful musical play recreates the world of Oliver Twist in a remarkable manner portraying Dickens poignant reflections on child abuse, the urban decay and apathetic social institutions. The musical however takes a much lighter treatment than Dickens did yet the underlying cruelty come through quite vividly. From the very early scenes when the unfortunate workhouse orphan, Oliver requests for more gruel, he is thereafter sold to an unsympathetic undertaker, further as he escapes to London one day and when he falls into the Fagan's pick-pocket gang, we are made witness to Oliver's adventures all the way through a collection of unforgettable songs that include some very absorbing ballads, marches and poignant anthems. This adaptation of this classic is being immensely liked and ticket sales are increasing daily.

As the play begins the curtain opens on the menacing interior of the workhouse with an absolutely bare dining table. Very pale-faced and insolent wretches can be seen looking through the gap between the bars of the door. The door slowly opens and all the boys enter into the table singing sadly "Food, Glorious Food". The widow Corney, who incidentally runs the workhouse, and insensitive Mr. Bumble, thereafter enter to dole out gruel to the unfortunate boys. Alone in the midst of them Oliver unknowingly requests Mr. Bumble to give him some more gruel. Bumble is simply outraged. He decides that Oliver must leave and so he hawks Oliver moving through the roads of London singing loudly "Boy for Sale." And eventually sells him Mr Sowerberry, the undertaker. Oliver finds himself alone, and surrounded by coffins.

Oliver runs away and happens to meet the Artful Dodger who chants "Consider Yourself At Home". He is then taken to a hideaway where he meets Fagin and the trainee thieves. And they warmly welcome Oliver. The very next morning Oliver goes out with the boys and gets detained by the police. In the second act Fagin's boys inform him of Oliver's arrest by the London police but since he has been found to be blameless, he is now very safe with a kindly, rich gentleman. This makes Fagin and Sykes send over Nancy to get Oliver back to them. In the meantime, Oliver has turned into a well cared lad.

Unfortunately his happiness is short lived as he is captured by Nancy outside his home and she then returns him back to Fagin. Mr. Bumble and Mrs. Corney who are by now married, suddenly discover that Oliver is the only successor to a rich family which makes them try hard to get him back. Meanwhile a remorseful Nancy plans to give back Oliver to his patron. However she is very fearful of Sykes still she sings in a determined voice to help Oliver. Eventually Sykes follows and kills her, and tries to grab Oliver. Luckily for Oliver he is shot dead after a chase and Oliver is able to reach his patron who turns out to be is his grandfather. This play is being widely appreciated and immensely loved by one and all. Book your tickets and see for yourself this wonderful rendering of the timeless classic.