Oliver Twist – A Reader’s Theater adaptation of the original

Description

Oliver Twist – A Reader’s Theater adaptation of the original has a cast of 6 – can be adapted ‘up’ to 14 readers, or ‘down’ – by doubling up. Duration: Around 15 – 20 minutes

This script has been adapted from the original Oliver Twist playscript available separately off www.plays-r-ussell.com in the Literature section of KS III and IV.

The original script has been adapted to Readers Theater in the following ways:

1. 1. Music suggestions and stage directions have been removed BUT ‘scene titles’ have been kept in or added, with an inclusion of the identification of readers for that scene.
   2. There are no more than 6 speakers per scene (in the case of any exceptions instructions are given for doubling up)
   3. All characters in the script are identified in a list in the production notes – these are In addition to the six principal characters. Thus additional readers could take on these ‘extra’ parts.
   4. ‘6’ has been chosen as an arbitrary number – thus the script offers opportunities for adapting this number to suit the number of readers available.

Sample Text:

Fagin:                                  Now, that’s a real gentleman!

Narrator:                            Hmm, I guess it’s

Fagin:                                  (Interrupting) The clothes that give it away, right? Him in his fancy attire? And me in my rags? Ooh, now let me think. Why might that be?     (Pauses) Oh, yes, I just remembered! I’m poor! Some are born rich. But there are an awful lot of folk like me, who ain’t! Through no fault of their own!

Narrator:                            So, how do you get by?

Fagin:                                  It’s called

Artful Dodger:                   Picking pockets! Easy when you know-how! Take this old gent here. He has absolutely no idea I’m picking his pocket

Gentleman:                        Hey!

Artful Dodger:                   Until its too late! By which time, I’ve disappeared and the old guy spots the wrong culprit!

Oliver:                                 Who? Me!

Gentleman:                        Yes, you! Stop! Thief!

Narrator:                            Oh! Oh! And here come the police!

This is one of a collection, taken from the original scripts:

• • Oliver Twist
  • Great Expectations
  • David Copperfield
  • A Tale of Two Cities
  • Nicholas Nickleby
  • Bleak House

And adapted to Readers Theater.

Available from www.plays-r-ussell.com in original play format AND as Reader’s Theater.