Oliver Twist SCENE ONE: ORPHANAGE We ll call the child Oliver. Oliver Twist. (She takes the bundle protectively.) Ooo, he s got fighting spirit, all right. Now back to work! SONG: FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD Please, ma am, I want some more. What? Please, ma am, I want some more. More? Nobody asks for more! Ungrateful little brat! Get out of here! Oliver escapes, underscore movement with Food Glorious Food. SCENE TWO: STREETS OF LONDON SONG: VERSE OF WHERE IS LOVE? (Just Oliver) At the end of song Dodger enters and bumps into Oliver. What you starin at? Haven t you never seen a toff? No, never, I m sorry, I didn t. That s all right. Hungry? Yes, I am. I ve come a long way. I ve been walking for seven days. Been running away from the beak? The what? Don t say you don t know what the beak is flash mate. It s a bird s mouth, isn t it? My eyes! How green can you get? For your information, a beak s a magistrate. Who you running away from then? Your old man? No. I m an orphan. I ve come to London to make my fortune. Oh! You have, have you? Got any lodgings? Money? Not a farthing. 1
I suppose you want someplace to sleep tonight, eh? Do you know of anywhere? As it so happens, I know a respectable old gentleman. He ll give you lodgings for nothing. Really? He must be a very kind old gentleman. Oh yes, he s very kind. And I m a particular favourite of his. Well, if you re coming along, I better know who you are. My name is Oliver Twist. Mine s Jack Dawkins better known among my more intimate friends as the Artful Dodger. Pleased to meet you. You sure the old gentleman won t mind? Mind? SONG: CONSIDER YOURSELF SCENE THREE: FAGIN S GANG GANG: GANG: Fagin, I want to introduce you to my new friend, Oliver Twist. Well, now, how d ye do? We re very glad to see you Oliver. Nancy! Hi, Nancy! How s it goin? Hi boys. Well, who s the new lad? Oliver Twist, mum. (He bows) Well! Aren t you a polite young chap! Green, Nancy, old girl! Totally green. He s young and inexperienced as they come. But we ll teach him. He certainly knows how to treat a lady. If we see any, we ll let him know. (Gang laugh) You watch your mouth! He s twice the gentleman you are. Thank you, mum. 2
Nancy stop your gabbin. Now, back to work. (Fagin turns his attention from the gang to Oliver.) The Dodger tells me you have come to London to seek your fortune. Yes, sir. Well, we must see what we can do to help you, mustn t we? You see Oliver our line of business pays quite well SONG- PICK A POCKET SCENE FOUR- ON THE STREETS See that fancy lady? Yes, I do. Come on. All you have to do is relieve her of her purse that s muckin up her left pocket. Dodger! Are you and Fagin s boys pick pocketers? And the best bloomin pickpocket in London is what I am, ain t I? But that s stealing. It s only a game Oliver. We call it redistributing the wealth. Kind of like Robin Hood. Go on then. Oliver goes hesitantly. He reaches into Rose s pocket and she turns round and catches him. Dodger stood Centre stage goes uh- oh and runs away leaving Oliver. Where do you come from? (Pause, Oliver looks at floor and doesn t answer) Where do you live? (Pause) Who looks after you? I m an orphan. What you need is a good home. Rose starts to take Oliver away. Where are we going? You re coming home with me. You ll like it there. SCENE FIVE- BACK AT FAGIN S 3
Oliver s gone. Gone to one of them posh houses on Grovesnor Square. We ve got to get him back somehow. Now, who s coming? I suppose it ll have to be me. Shut your trap, Dodger. You ve caused enough trouble already. It s got to be done quiet, no fuss. Someone who has the boy s confidence. Nancy, my dear, what do you say? It s no good trying it with me. And just exactly what do you mean by that remark? What I say! I m not going! Can t you leave the boy alone? He won t do you any harm. Why can t you leave him where he ll have the chance of a decent life? You ll bring him back here, my girl. Unless you want to feel my hand on your throat. If he talked, think what would happen to us. You ll go. Even if I have to drag you there myself. Fagin drags Nancy across the stage then pushes her down on the floor. SONG- AS LONG AS HE NEEDS ME (Just first verse- Nancy sings this on her own, whilst Oliver and Rose set up for next scene. Rose joins in at the end of the verse.) SCENE SIX- ROSE S HOUSE There is a knock on the door and Nancy enters. I ve come about Oliver. What is it? He s in danger. He didn t mean to steal your money that day. I thought he wouldn t. He was forced. By a gang. They could drag him back into the miserable life they lead, one of thieving, dishonesty and crime. I ve said enough. I must go back. 4
Back? Why do you wish to return to such a life? You wouldn t understand. I ve got to go back. I want to go back.. It s too late for me. It s never too late. Can I not change your mind? (Nancy shakes her head.) But we agree we must save Oliver. Oh yes, keep Oliver safe with you. But promise me you will keep my secret. I promise. SONG- I D DO ANYTHING 5