Oliver Twist is the popular name for the famous novel by Charles Dickens (1812-1870)[1], and for a large number of adaptations for performance over the centuries.

The original novel

Oliver Twist, or the Parish Boy's Progress (usually referred to simply as Oliver Twist) was the second novel by English writer Charles Dickens (1812-1870) [2] and was originally published with the title Oliver Twist, or the Parish Boy's Progress as a serial from 1837 to 1839 and as a three-volume book in 1838. It tells the story of the orphan Oliver Twist, born in a workhouse and sold into apprenticeship with an undertaker. After escaping, Oliver travels to London, where he meets the "Artful Dodger", a member of a gang of juvenile pickpockets led by the elderly criminal Fagin.

Adaptations for the stage

Numerous adaptations of Oliver Twist, under a range of titles, have been done for various media since its original publication (see the Wikipedia entry on "Oliver Twist" for example[3]). Listed below are all the versions performed in South Africa.

Oliver Twist, or The Parish Boy's Progress by Barnett (1838)

A three-act burletta by Charles Zachary Barnett ()[], the piece opened at the Marylebone Theatre in London in 1838.

Oliver! by Lionel Bart (19)

Oliver! [4] is a 1960 British musical, based on Dicken's novel, with music and lyrics by writer and composer Lionel Bart (1930-1999) [5]. It first opened in the New Theatre in London in 1960, becoming an international hit.

Sources

Oliver Twist by Anya Reiss (2017)

The adaptation by Anya Reiss ()[] premiered at the Regent's Park Theatre, London and was directed by Caroline Byrne.

Oliver Twist by an anonymous author (late 1860s)

Performance history of all versions in South Africa

1876: A piece called Oliver Twist (in an unidentified adaptation of the Dickens novel) was performed by the Disney Roebuck company, under the management of Charles Wilstone in the Athenaeum Hall, Cape Town, on 20 October, with Jenny Lind (Anon), as benefit for Mr W. Foulis and Mrs Foulis.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Twist

D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.343, 347

Brian Brooke Company theatre programme (undated).

Oliver! theatre programme, Baxter Theatre 1985.

Playhouse Parade Dec 1994-January 1995.

Petru & Carel Trichardt theatre programme collection.

Go to ESAT Bibliography