Synopsis

Oliver Twist is a young boy who lives in a workhouse with other orphaned boys. When Oliver disrupts a meal by asking for more, he is sold to a local undertaker and his family. They treat Oliver horribly and make him sleep under the coffins. Oliver escapes and runs off to Paddington Green, where he quickly befriends another young boy, the Artful Dodger. Dodger takes him to his home, an academy for orphans who learn how to be pick-pockets run by a kind, yet slightly sinister, old gentleman named Fagin. Oliver is also introduced to Nancy Sikes, a lovable young woman, and Bet, Nancy's best friend. When Oliver goes on his first pick-pocketing job, he is caught by the police. The man that Oliver thieved, Mr. Brownlow, learns of Oliver's sad past and brings him into his own home. Meanwhile, Nancy's husband (the villainous Bill Sikes) worries that Oliver will tell Mr. Brownlow and the police where the thieves live. He forces Nancy and Bet to snatch Oliver from Mr. Brownlow's house and take him back to Fagin's. Nancy does everything her husband tells her to but plans on secretly taking Oliver back to Mr. Brownlow. Before she can do so, Bill finds out of his wife's plans, and murders her. He then goes after Oliver, but is shot and killed. Oliver and Mr. Brownlow, who turns out to be Oliver's grandfather, return safely home.

Characters

Oliver Twist Nancy Male Principal Role. The protagonist of the story, he is a Female Principal Role. A cockney girl with a warm heart, lonely orphan boy born in the Work-house. Preferably no Nancy is an abused career thief, prostitute and former child taller than 135cm and fairish. He is vulnerable but tough and pickpocket. A sensitive side and noble and likeable but feisty and should have a strong ability to convey real hardened and streetwise beyond her years. She lives with emotions. British (not cockney) accent. Some minor dancing. and loves Bill Sykes, pretty, intelligent, longs for a better life. Age to look 8 - 13 Strong singer (belter), actor, some dancing. Songs: Where Is Love, I’d Do Anything, Be Back Soon, Cockney accent required. Age to look 21 - 32 Consider Yourself, Who Will Buy Songs: It’s a Fine Life, I’d Do Anything, Oom-pah-pah, As Vocal: Soprano Long As He Needs Me, Fine Life (Reprise) Vocal: Alto Fagin Male Principal Role. A conniving, career criminal whose Bill Sykes charm hides a cold heart. He takes in homeless boys and Male Principle Role. A villain and Nancy’s brutal boy- friend. teaches them to pick pockets for him. Perhaps could be The most evil man you could ever meet whom strikes fear described as an old thespian, a man of many dimensions, a into anyone he sees. Cockney accent. Age to look 30 - 45 leader, a vagrant, a father, a teacher, a lost soul & an Songs: My Name, Fine Life (Reprise) eccentric. Significant character acting, singing with some Vocal: Baritone dancing. Cockney accent required. Age to look 35 – 50 Songs: Pick-a-pocket, I’d Do Anything, Be Back Soon, Fine Mr. Bumble Life (Reprise), Reviewing the Situation Male Supporting Role. The self- righteous, self- appointed Vocal: Baritone beadle, Mr. Bumble oversees the operations of the work house were Oliver lives as a child. He preaches Christian Artful Dodger morality, but behaves without compassion towards the Male Principal Role. Very energetic, highly personable, paupers in his care. Strong character who will be played more intelligent and savvy beyond his years, Fagin’s right hand edgy and a little less pompous as previous. Age to look 45 – “man”. Preferably no taller than 155cm with excellent song 65 and dance skills. Must have a dynamic stage presence. Songs: Oliver, I Shall Scream, One Boy For Sale, That’s Your Significant character acting, singing, dancing. Cockney Funeral accent required. Age to look 13 - 16 Vocal: Baritone Songs: Consider yourself, I’d Do Anything, Be Back Soon, Fine Life (Reprise) Widow Corney Vocal: Soprano Female Supporting Role. The domineering workhouse mistress. Widow Corney is an “old maid”, who has been left on the shelf, would do anything to get Mr Bumbles attention. Like Bumble, will be played a little more edgy. Cockney Mrs. Bedwin accent required. Age to look 45 - 55 Female Minor Role. Mr Brownlow's kind-hearted, motherly Songs: Oliver, I Shall Scream housekeeper. Vocal: Soprano British (not cockney) accent. Age to look 45 - 65 Songs: Where Is Love (Reprise) # Mr. Sowerberry Vocal: Soprano Male Supporting Role. The undertaker, a classic Dickensian character tall/thin, precise and a bit slimy. Cockney accent Dr. Grimwig required. Age to look 40 - 60 Male Minor Role. British (not cockney accent).. Age to look Songs: That’s Your Funeral # 16-40 Vocal: Baritone Non-Singing # Vocal: N/A Mrs. Sowerberry Female Supporting Role. A loud lady, very bubbly personality, Old Sally nicest person you could meet, unless you are Oliver. Female Minor Role. Cockney accent required. Age to look 50 Cockney accent required. Age to look 40 – 60 – 70 Songs: That’s Your Funeral # Non-Singing # Vocal: Alto Vocal: N/A

Mr. Brownlow Charley Bates Male Supporting Role. Oliver’s kind long lost grandfather, a Part of Fagin’s gang. The eldest boy. Cockney accent man of wealth and breeding. British (not cockney) accent. required. Age to look 50 – 75 Non-Singing # Fagin’s Gang & Workhouse Children Vocal: N/A We are looking for boys and girls who are bright and personable. All individuals cast will do both Workhouse and Bet Fagin’s Gang. Preferably no taller than 155cm with excellent Female Supporting Role. Nancy’s loyal friend who is one of singing skills and some dance experienced preferred. Fagin’s former pickpockets. Cockney accent required. Age to Song: Food Glorious Food, Oliver, Consider Yourself, It’s A look 15 – 20 Fine Life, Pick-a-pocket, Be Back Soon. Songs: It’s a Fine Life, I’d Do Anything # Vocal: All ranges required Vocal: Alto Workhouse & Towns Children Charlotte Boys and Girls unsuccessful in being cast in Fagin’s Gang Female Supporting Role. The rude but also flirtatious may have the opportunity of being cast in this role. All daughter of the Sowerberrys. Cockney accent required. Age individuals cast will do both Workhouse and Ensemble work to look 14 – 19 in the songs Consider Yourself and Who Will Buy as well as Non-Singing # other various walk on roles. Preferably no taller than 155cm Vocal: N/A with excellent singing skills and some dance experienced preferred. Please advise if you have any special skills e.g. Noah Claypole acrobatics, gymnastics, juggling etc. Male Supporting Role. A nasty piece of work who is Mr Song: Food Glorious Food, Oliver, Consider Yourself, Who Sowerberry’s pimply apprentice. Enjoys a flirty relationship Will Buy with Charlotte. Cockney accent required. Age to look 16 - 20 Vocal: All ranges required Non-Singing # Vocal: N/A Ensemble Workhouse Governors, workers in the workhouse, thieves, London merchants, street vendors, bar keepers, policemen etc. Cockney and traditional British accents required. Opportunity for featured dancers. Some movement required for all ensemble. Vocal: All ranges required

Included in this are the featured soloists: The Rose Seller Strawberry Seller Milk Maid Knife Grinder Long Song Seller Songs: Oliver, Consider Yourself, Oom-pah-pah, Who Will Buy

# Opportunity to be included in Ensemble