A Timeless Story Set in a Storied Time
The story of Oliver Twist is ultimately a romantic one. No, not in the modern sense of love and romance, but rather in the slightly more traditional sense: Dickens imagines a world where a completely happy and rather coincidental ending is entirely possible. The story is certainly a comedy, wherein things go from bad to better, and where you never truly have to worry for Oliver, because you know things are going to get better for him. In this way, it is a reassuring story of hope, redemption, and love, all against the odds stacked against this poor orphan.
The novel’s setting, as romantic and idealistic as it is in terms of Oliver’s eventual fate, casts a very unromantic eye on the criminal underworld and the treatment of orphans that Oliver must contend with. The novel calls attention to child labor, the use of children by criminals, and the sheer number of street children. Dickens uses the novel as a platform to call out the more moneyed members of society on their behavior.
How Oliver! Got Its Start
The musical, Oliver!, is of British origin, with its music and lyrics all written by Lionel Bart. Oliver! was the first modern British musical to make it to Broadway successfully, and continues to be a popular musical to this day. The musical has enjoyed several revivals over the years, and why not? It’s one of the more heartwarming stories on stage, and has often played host to talent that has gone on to become famous in their own right, such as current pop sensation Asher Monroe, who got his start in Beauty and the Beast and, later, Oliver!
The plot of the musical, and the characterization of its major parts, is considerably simpler than in the novel itself, but given the time constraints and the voluminous style of Dickens’ writing, this comes as no surprise!
The Play is the Thing
Act I of the musical opens in the infamous workhouse that Oliver lives and works in. This is when we hear the classic “Food Glorious Food,” followed by “Oliver!,” “Boy for Sale,” “That’s Your Funeral,” and “Where is Love?” The rest of the act continues to unfold from the workhouse, with Oliver abused until he escapes, ending up on the streets of London where he meets the Artful Dodger. Together they live with Fagin, who teaches him to become a pickpocket. Ending on one of the lowest notes of the musical, Oliver is arrested for the robbing of Mr. Brownlow.
Act II sees Fagin informed of Oliver’s arrest. Fagin plots to kidnap him, while Oliver is cared for by the Brownlows. Eventually, through a winding series of accidents, coincidences, and so on, it is discovered that Oliver is actually Mr. Brownlow’s great nephew, and in the end, he is reunited – against all odds! – with his family. This kind of ending – the ultimately happy one that sees the wicked punished and the heroes triumph – is exactly what you would expect, and perhaps a big contributor to the success of the musical!
Oliver! Today
The musical was adapted to film in 1968, but ultimately, it will always be a musical on stage. The iconic songs, beautiful stagecraft, and raucousness of the cast themselves is best experienced in person, where you can feel as if you’re in the workhouse, on the streets of London, and in the Brownlow residence with Oliver throughout the musical. You lose something when a performance goes onto the screen, with pixels and coffee tables separating you from the action.
Recent productions have seen Rowan Atkinson and director Sam Mendes involved, contributing to the ever-increasing profile of Oliver!. From the UK to Broadway and Broadway to community theaters across the country, Oliver! remains one of the most heartwarming and enjoyable musicals to ever grace the stage.
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