Script

SIDE 1

CHARLOTTE

Noah, I saved a nice little bit of bacon for you from master's breakfast. Oliver, pull up a chair for Mr. Noah and make haste, 'cos they'll want you to mind the shop. Do you hear?

NOAH

What are you staring at, Workhouse?

CHARLOTTE

Noah, let the boy alone.

NOAH

Let him alone? I'm giving the boy a change, you silly thing! Everyone's left him alone. His father left him alone, his mother... Workhouse, how's your mother?

OLIVER

You leave my mother out of it. She's dead.

NOAH

What did she die of, Workhouse? Shortage of breath?

OLIVER

(tearfully)

She's just dead! She died of a broken heart.

NOAH

Well tol-de-rol-lol-lol-right-fol-lairy. And it's a good thing she died when she did or she'd have been transported to Australaylia, or hung from the gallows as like as not!

END

SIDE 2

DODGER

Tired?

OLIVER

Yes. I've been walking seven days.

DODGER

Seven days?! Who are you running away from then? Your old man?

OLIVER

No, I'm an orphan. I've come to London to make my fortune.

DODGER

(suddenly very interested)

Oh you have, have ya.

OLIVER

Yes.

DODGER

Got any lodgings?

OLIVER

No.

DODGER

Money?

OLIVER

Not a farthing. Do you live in London?

DODGER

When I'm at home. I suppose you want some place to sleep tonight, don't you? Are you accommodated?

OLIVER

No, I don't think so...

DODGER

Then accommodated you shall be me young mate.

(He eyes OLIVER speculatively.)

There's a certain place and I know a respectable old gentleman as lives there, what'll give you lodging's for nothing. Mister Fagin. That's his name. Mister Fagin. By the way if I'm introducing you to Fagin, I better know who you are, me old china.

END

 

SIDE 3

DODGER

Mr. Twist has come to London to seek his fortune.

FAGIN

You've come to London to seek your fortune. We must see what we can do to help you. Are you hungry?

OLIVER

Starving.

FAGIN

Would you like a sausage?

DODGER

Hey Fagin! These sausages are moldy!

(OLIVER is looking at the handkerchiefs hung throughout the room.)

FAGIN

Ah! You're a-staring at the pocket handkerchiefs! There are quite a few of 'em ain't there? We've just hung 'em out, ready for the wash. The wash, that's all, Oliver, that's all.

OLIVER

Is this a laundry then, sir?

(The GANG roars with laughter.)

FAGIN

Well, not exactly, my dear. I suppose a laundry would be a very nice thing indeed, but our line of business pays a little better. Don't it boys?

GANG

I'll say it does!

FAGIN

You see, Oliver…

END

 

SIDE 4

MR. BROWNLOW

Hey! Wait a moment.

(A fully dressed OLIVER and MRS. BEDWIN cross towards MR. BROWNLOW, who tries to get the attention of the DELIVERY PERSON.)

Hey! Come back! Oh really, really, really and I particularly wished some books to be returned today.

DR. GRIMWIG

(cannily)

Why not send Oliver with them?

OLIVER

Yes! Do let me take them for you please, sir.

MR. BROWNLOW

Oh! Em, oh very well my boy, very well. If you wish, you shall. Now I'll tell you what I want you to do. You will give Mr. Jessop these books, it's just down the road, and say you've come to pay the four pounds ten that I owe him. Here's five pounds. No need to rush, but I shall expect you back in ten minutes.

(OLIVER notices a portrait on the wall.)

OLIVER

She's a very pretty lady, isn't she, sir?

MR. BROWNLOW

Yes, it's a portrait of my daughter, Agnes.

OLIVER

I'll take the books then sir.

MR. BROWNLOW

(staring at the portrait)

Yes... you take the books.

(OLIVER exits.)

DR. GRIMWIG

Ha! You don't really expect him to come back, do you? With a new suit of clothes on his back and a five pound note in his pocket? My dear Mr. Brownlow, if he does I'll eat my head.

MR. BROWNLOW

Dr. Grimwig. Look at that portrait. Don't you see an extraordinary resemblance between Oliver and my daughter Agnes?

DR. GRIMWIG

Can't say I do.

MR. BROWNLOW

Well, in ten minutes Dr. Grimwig, when the boy returns, I think you will see.

DR. GRIMWIG

Yes Mr. Brownlow, ten minutes.

END

 

 

SIDE 5

MR. SOWERBERRY

If you don't mind! Cash upon liking, Mr. Bumble! Cash upon liking!

(calls off to MRS. SOWERBERRY)

Mrs. Sowerberry!

(MRS. SOWERBERRY enters.)

MRS. SOWERBERRY

What is it you want? What is it? Oh, Mr. Bumble!

MR. SOWERBERRY

My dear, I have told Mr. Bumble that we may consider taking in this boy to help in the shop.

MRS. SOWERBERRY

Dear me! He's very small.

(OLIVER goes onto tip-toe.)

MR. BUMBLE

Yes, he is rather small - there's no denying it. But he'll grow, Mrs. Sowerberry - he'll grow.

(MRS. SOWERBERRY examines OLIVER doubtfully.)

MRS. SOWERBERRY

I dare say he will, on our vittles and our drink. They're a waste of time, these workhouse boys. They always cost more to keep than what they're worth. What's your name, boy?

OLIVER

Oliver. Oliver Twist, ma'am.

MRS. SOWERBERRY

An orphan then, Mr. Bumble?

MR. BUMBLE

Indeed Mrs. Sowerberry. The child's mother came to us destitute... brings the child into the world... takes one look at him... and promptly dies without leaving so much as a forwarding name and address.

MRS. SOWERBERRY

Very well then, junior coffin-follower... that's your job... have you eaten yet?

END

 

SIDE 6

SIKES

So he'll be down here, will he?

NANCY

Leave him alone, Bill!

SIKES

(glares at NANCY, then turns to OLIVER)

What did you tell him about us?

OLIVER

Nothing.

SIKES

That remains to be seen. But if we found out you said anything, anything out of place... Fagin, I'll wager that young scoundrel's told him everything.

(SIKES grabs OLIVER. NANCY rushes forward and grabs SIKES's arm. The GANG hides.)

FAGIN

All right, all right! We've got him back! What's the matter with you?

SIKES

The girl's gone mad, I think, Fagin.

NANCY

No she hasn't, Fagin, don't think it.

FAGIN

Then keep quiet, will you?

NANCY

I wish I'd of been struck down dead before I lent a hand in bringing him back here. After tonight, he's a liar and a thief and all that's bad. Ain't that enough for you, without scaring him to death?!

FAGIN

Come, come Nancy, we must have civil words.

NANCY

Civil words?! Yes! You deserve them from me! I was out on the streets for you when I was a child half his age, and I've been in the same trade, the same service for fifteen years since and don't you forget it.

END