Oliver
Twist
adapted from Charles Dickens by Mickey Coburn
About the Play: Funny, entertaining and touching, this adaptation is true to Charles Dicken’s classic novel. A delightful entertainment for children and adults alike.
Place and Time: Victorian London
Cast
List:
Oliver Twist: A young orphan10 years old
Mr. Bumble: The Workhouse Beadle; Double as street person
Mrs. Bumble: His wife
Workhouse Boys: 4 double as Fagin’s boys
Mr. Sowerberry: The Undertaker; Double as Brownlow
Charlotte: Sowerberry’s daughter; double as street person
Noah Claypole: Sowerberry’s apprentice; double as street person
The Artful Dodger: About 13 years old
Charley Bates: Artful’s sidekick
Fagin: The entrepreneur scoundrel
Fagin’s Boys
Nancy : About 16 years old
Bet: Nancy’s young friend, about 13 years old
Bill Sikes: Villainous criminal whom Nancy loves
Mr. Brownlow: Elegant gentleman; played by Sowerberry
Mrs. Bedwin: Brownlow’s housekeeper
Street People: One plus doubles
Bow Street Runners: Two
Old Sally
Musician OPTIONAL
(14 males/7 females)
From the Play: Act I Scene 2
(Music in. Curtain opens on
the workhouse. There is a long table and bench, placed with wooden bowls.
Also a soup table w/pot, etc. Mr. Bumble enters followed by
Mrs. Bumble, the latter dragging Oliver behind her; she’s followed
by the workhouse boys who proceed to the table. Bumble takes up his station;
Mrs. B. deposits Oliver next to Bumble and takes up her station at soup
table)
Bumble: (striking the floor
with his mace) Boys – This ‘ere’s Oliver Twist. Like
the rest of you , he’s come ‘ere to be educated and taught
a useful trade -- -- (boys laugh sarcastically) (striking floor) Enough!
Or yer’ll be whipped! Now – where’s yer manners? Say
– Good evening Oliver!!
Boys: Good evening, Oliver –
Bumble: That’s better. There now – you’ve been made
truly welcome –
(He shoves Oliver toward the boys; Oliver takes an empty place at table; Bumble strikes floor; Mrs. B. Removes her mop cap and puts on a chef’s hat; Boys line up for food carrying their bowls. Mrs. B. Lifts large ladle – Mr. B. shakes his head and makes clucking sound. Mrs. B. picks up smaller ladle; Mr. B. – exasperated – strikes floor; makes roaring sound. Mrs. B. picks up tiny ladle. Mr. B. Nods approvingly. The Boys are served and file back to table where the food is consumed instantly. Mrs. B. changes hats again and stands near Mr. B.)
Boy 1: (stage whisper) We got
to do something about this yer know –
Boy 2: This ain’t enough to feed a flea –
(Boy 4 begins to eat his bowl)
Boy 3: Blimey! ‘es eating
his bowl. Someone’s got to ask for more!
Boy 2: Let the new boy do it –
All: (each in turn) Ay! Ay! Ay! Ay!
(They huddle around Oliver and whisper in his ear. Oliver takes his bowl and approaches the BumbleS; the whispers stop; the Boys hold their breath)
Oliver: Please, Sir, I want
some more.
Bumble: What?
Oliver: Please, Sir, I want some more ---
Bumble: More?
Mrs. Bumble: (shrieks and begins to faint) Moorrrrreeee……
(She falls on Bumble who is trying to get to Oliver who begins to back away )
Bumble: (pushing Mrs. B. to her feet) He asked for more!!
(He stalks Oliver who takes off over/under table, etc.)
Bumble: Stop him!
Mrs. Bumble: Catch him!
(Boys join the chase trying to grab Oliver)
Bumble: Whip him!
Mrs. Bumble: Snatch him!
Bumble: (screeching) He asked for more……! (grabs Oliver) Gotcha!!
Mrs. Bumble: He’s a bad lot! He’s got to be gotten rid of
immediately.
Bumble: We’ll hang him!! (The Boys gasp)
Mrs. Bumble: No, no Mr. Bumble – we’ll sell him. Drag him
off to the undertakers. He’s been needing a boy -- (to the Boys)
What are you gaping at? Out of here all of yer – go to bed –
(Boys begin to run dodging Mrs. B. in attempts to exit while…)
Bumble: (shrieking) He asked
for more!!!
Blackout
 |
Poster
Art available for this play. Click on image at left to see larger version. |
About the Playwright:
Mickey Coburn is playwright, poet and stage director.
A BFA graduate of Carnegie Institute of Technology theatre program, Mickey
studied in the graduate programs at the New School in New York City, the
Shakespeare Institute in Stratford, England and the University of Pittsburgh.
Her plays have been produced by the Acting Place, Inc. in Massachusetts,
the Boston Children’s Theatre, the New Ehrlich Theatre in Boston
and have been given numerous readings in New York and elsewhere. Mickey
has also conducted workshops at schools and universities and has worked
as a stage director and acting coach. She is member of the Dramatists
Guild.