“Among other public buildings in a certain town, there is one anciently common to most towns, great or small: to wit, a workhouse. And in this particular workhouse was born, on a cold, blustery winter’s day, the item of mortality whose name was to become Oliver Twist.” So begins Charles Dickens’ story of an orphan, born in the workhouse, who, ten years later escapes to London, where he is taken in by a gang of thieves led by the infamous Fagin. Rescued from a life of crime by a kindly gentleman, Oliver is kidnapped back by the gang. One of their number, Nancy, overhears a plot by the mysterious Monks to have Oliver caught by the police. In trying to help him, Nancy meets the kindly gentleman at midnight on London Bridge, where she reveals the plan to him, but her treachery is discovered and Nancy is murdered by the robber Sikes. Monks is caught, his relationship with Oliver discovered, whilst Sikes is killed and Fagin taken into custody. Meantime, back at the workhouse, Mr Bumble has married Widow Corney, and lived to regret it! Oliver gets his inheritance and is brought up in the home of the kindly gentleman. Adapted for a mixed cast of adults and children, with plenty of doubling opportunities.