Oliver Twist

OLIVER TWIST

Adapted & directed by Neil Bartlett

The Lyric Hammersmith on tour

This is a powerful new adaptation of Dickens's classic novel. From page to stage the tale has travelled well. Far more realistic than the jaunty playfulness of Lionel Bart's musical, this production brings out both the anger and grim comedy surrounding childhood poverty.

The cast of 13 actors, make all the scenes vivid. Its genre is something between a Victorian melodrama and a burlesque. The occasional use of choral speaking, which at times crosses over into a kind of plainsong, is potent. The production grabs your attention right from the beginning and does not let you go for the whole two hours or more. One or two parts of the story have been changed from Dickens's original to accommodate the story to the theatre. Without being crude, some of the scenes are both shocking and frightening. So although this makes a worthwhile family night out, it is not for very young children. They would have nightmares. Jordan Metcalfe, who plays the young Oliver, is quite perfect in the part, managing to convey all the vulnerability and fear of a sweet child confronted by the evils of a fallen world.

The plight of poor children is sadly not a thing of the past. The director has capitalised on Dickens's concern to make pointed social comment. Sometimes the consciences of the audience are addressed directly. 'Nobody bothered to ask what he was doing there! Not our responsibility!' Purposely misunderstanding the true aims of the welfare state, perhaps we are even more prone to think like that and pass by on the other side. Leave it to the social workers? But at the same time the great moral of Oliver Twist is the triumph of good and innocence in the face of evil and disaster. Only Christianity provides a basis for this happy ending. Certainly secularism can give no confidence for such a hope.

JEB

This production is to visit Edinburgh, Warwick Arts Centre, Brighton and Nottingham in coming months.