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Oliver! is the musical version of a classic novel. Lionel Bart reputedly had never read Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens' sombre tale, when he decided to make a musical out of it. At first he planned a rock-and-roll version to star his friend, Tommy Steele. Closer inspection of the original story, however, caused Bart to change his mind. His finished show retained the most important incidents of Dickens' rambling plot, but, as would befit a musical comedy, two villains became funnier, the gang of child-thieves became lovable, and London became less alcohol and drug ridden. |
| As Oliver! begins, young orphan Oliver Twist is living in a workhouse. When he dares to ask for more food, he is sold by the overseer, Mr. Bumble, to an undertaker. Abused here, too, Oliver runs away to London, where he meets the Artful Dodger, one of a gang of youthful thieves who lodge with and are trained by Fagin. Oliver is brought to Fagin’s group, whom he naïvely accepts as friends. Only the kind Nancy recognizes the incorruptible goodness of the child. |
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 | When Oliver, following a false arrest, is taken into the home of respectable Mr. Brownlow, Nancy hopes that the boy will have the kind of life that can never be hers. A critical point in the play comes when the evil Bill Sykes, whom Nancy loves despite his ill treatment, fears that Oliver knows too much about their criminal activities and wants the child recaptured. She is torn between her love for Oliver and her love for Bill. The decision she makes produces the musical’s thrilling conclusion.
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