Once again, the Martha Cohen Theatre has been transported back in time for the holidays, as Charles Dicken’s Oliver Twist or, The Street Boys Progress comes to life on stage until December 27th
Adapted by Michael O’Brien, who also adapted Treasure Island two years ago, Oliver Twist tells the story of Oliver, a boy born into a life of poverty and misfortune. Orphaned almost from his first breath due to his mother’s death during childbirth, and his father’s unexplained absence, Oliver is meagerly provided for under the terms of the Poor Law, and spends the first nine years of his life at a “baby farm” in the ”care” of a woman named Mrs. Mann. Along with other juvenile offenders against the poor-laws, Oliver is brought up with little food and few comforts. Around the time of the orphan’s ninth birthday, Oliver moves on to a workhouse, where, having drawn a small straw, has to ask for more gruel. It is at this moment that the boy makes his famous request “Please, sir, I want some more.”
After being sold to an Undertaker, Oliver eventually runs away, meeting street boy Artful Dodger, who offers Oliver a place to stay. The end result, Oliver ends up in a den of thieves run by criminal mastermind Fagin. The story progresses through young Oliver’s life each time he seemingly gets two steps forward, he once again ends up back with Fagin.
Haysam Kadri plays a much younger, suave version of Fagin than is traditional, but it works. Part charismatic ringmaster, part sinister bad guy, Kadri plays the role up to the hilt - a big factor in the success of the show. Balancing out Fagin is his associate Sikes, played by Rylan Wilke. Wilke sports tattoos, a close shaved Mohawk, and is constantly clad in leather. An imposing figure on stage, Wilke’s portrayal shows zero humanity and likeability. His treatment of Fagin, Oliver, as well as prostitute Nancy (Jamie Konchak) speaks of a man with no conscience. As someone who has seen Wilke in a number of roles in Calgary Theatre, it was startling seeing him portray someone so evil so well.
Newcomer Patrick Quinn plays Twist himself; ATP doesn’t use actual children in children’s roles - and understandably so, with some of the content in shows like this - so it was important to find someone who could pull off the innocence of a 9 year old. Quinn accomplishes this with flying colors. Joel Smith is fantastic as Artful Dodger, while Russel Roberts shows his versatility in playing both the warm, tender benefactor Mr. Brownlow and the legitimately creepy, Addams Family style Undertaker, Sowerberry.
This isn’t the musical version of the show, and thus while not as dark and gritty as the original works of Dickens, it also doesn’t paint a sunny portrait. The message is clear, and what did come out of this, at least for me, is the sad realization that some things never change. Oliver Twist could be considered one of the first pieces of social commentary when it was written in 1837. Now, 170 years later, children are still homeless, in gangs, and can’t escape. Often innocent lives are affected as kids feel trapped by people like Fagin and Sikes. Sure, we don’t have workhouses like we once did but, for a piece written nearly two centuries ago to still ring true is rather tragic.
While Oliver Twist is a family production, the wee ones would be best left at home. In addition to the imaginatively dreary set and mature subject matter, the show also does feature some violence - on stage and off - that may be a bit much for kids to handle; the show is recommended for ages 8 and up. I once again brought my best friend’s daughter, 11-year-old Dakota, to the show and felt no issue with her being there, but had I brought her 6 year old sister it may have been a different story. That said, Dakota told me after that she really enjoyed the show and was ok with everything in it.
Whether young or old, Oliver Twist is an enjoyable and worthwhile evening out.

Alberta Theatre Projects presents
Oliver Twist or, The Street Boys Progress
November 22nd – December 27th, 2007
Tickets: (403) 294-7402
www.atplive.com