OLIVER – PLAYSCRIPT

DLH 2019/2020

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 Character List
Narrator: Sohaib

Oliver : Ahmed Moatez

Child in orphanage: Amr Khaled
Cook: Belal
Dodger: Youssef Khaled
Fagin: Ahmed Abdelmajid
Boy1: Yassin
Boy2: Yahya
Policeman: Moussa Amr
Shopkeeper: Hassan
Oldman: Abdelrahman Akram

The chorus:
Abdelrahman Osama
Abdelrahman Ahmed
Mohamed Mahmoud
+ Belal
+ Yassin
+ Yahya
+ Amr Khaled

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Prologue
In a workhouse where many children are sitting on a long table

CHILD:
Hey, Oliver! Where are you going?
OLIVER:
I’m so hungry.
CHILD:
Me too, but this soup is disgusting! I feel like throwing it up.
OLIVER:
Me too, but I’m still too hungry… My stomach won´t stop making
noises, I need to eat more!
CHILD:
Don’t go, Oliver. You’ll make it worse.
OLIVER:
I don´t care! My stomach aches…
CHILD:
Don’t you remember what happened to Sami? They locked him in the cell for three
days!
OLIVER: (scared)
In the dark…
CHILD:
And without food!
OLIVER: (stubborn and brave).
I don’t care! I want more food!
OLIVER:
Sir…Please Sir…. can I have some more? (hands him his bowl).
COOK:
Silly boy! Who are you!?
OLIVER:
My name is Oliver, Sir. Oliver Twist.
COOK:
And what do you want, huh?
OLIVER:
I’m starving to death…I just wanted to know if I could have some more…
COOK:
Don’t you know that it’s forbidden to get up from the table during
dinner?
OLIVER:
Yes Sir, I know that but, you see, I just…
COOK:
You just what? (threatening him)
OLIVER: I…I…
COOK:
What boy, what? Don’t be scared! You what?
OLIVER:
I know that we can’t get up from the table, but we are starving! One
ladle of soup isn’t enough for us!
COOK:
That’s it!!! Enough!!! Now, shut up!
OLIVER:
I’m sorry, Sir.
COOK:
Shut up! If you don’t like what we give you, then get your things and
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leave!
OLIVER:
I’m sorry… I don’t have anywhere to go Sir.
COOK:
Really?! You rude and ungrateful little boy! You don’t have anywhere to
go and you complain about the people who give you a bed to sleep in, food
and a table to eat it on?
OLIVER:
I said that I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to be rude, I only wanted…
COOK:
Ha, Ha, ha… I know what devils like you need, come with me boy! We
are going
Scene 1: Road

Ah Moatez(oliver) :
Why do I have to face all this alone?
Where are you mother?
I couldn't have come to this world that alone
I was born in an orphanage I know, where they always pretend to treat us fairly
because we're orphans, but that only happens when someone comes to donate. I will
give everything I have to get rid of that feeling of lonely.
The chorus:
Show me the meaning of being lonely
Is this the feeling I need to walk with?
Tell me why I can't be there where you are mom, mom
There's something missing in my heart

Ah Moatez (Oliver):
There's nowhere to run
I have no place to go
Surrender my heart, body, and soul
The chorus:
be kind, be open hearted, be sympathetic, be generous, be gentle
Ah Moatez (Oliver)
How can it be
You're asking me
To feel the things you never show?

You are missing in my heart Mom.

Tell me why can't I be there where you are? (sound of crying)

The sound of the chorus fading away and getting lower.

Show me the meaning of being lonely

Is this the feeling I need to walk with?
Tell me why I can't be there where you are mom, mom
There's something missing in my heart

Oliver runs away at end of song.

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 Scene 2: Marketplace

Oliver stands alone in empty/still Marketplace, centre stage.

Oliver hangs head and cries. Market people come on bustling, calling out, knocking
Oliver who carries on crying. Dodger walks on, looking for opportunities to pick-
pocket. Oliver notices and starts to watch Dodger, sniffing and wiping eyes.

Dodger (Yousser Khaled) : What you staring at? Aint you ever seen a toff?

Oliver: No, sorry, I haven’t.

Dodger: Ah, that’s all right. (Stealing apple for Oliver) Ungry are ya?

Oliver: Oh thank you. I am actually. I’ve been walking for seven

days.

Dodger: Runaway are ya? Who you runnin away from then – yer old man?

Oliver: I’ve come to London to seek my fortune.

Dodger: Oh, you ave, ave ya? Got any money?

Oliver: No, I haven’t got a farthing? Do you live in London?

Dodger: Yep. I suppose you want some place to sleep tonight, eh?

Oliver: Do you know of anywhere?

Dodger: (Scratching head and thinking very hard) As it so appens, I know a

respectable old gentleman what’ll give you lodgings for nothing.

Oliver: (Surprised) Really? He must be a very kind old gentleman.

Dodger: (Stammering, obviously not telling the truth) Oh, yes, he’s very kind
and I’m a particular favourite of his. Well now, anyway. If, er, you’re
coming along, I’d betta know who you are.

Oliver: My name’s Oliver, Oliver Twist.

Dodger: And mine’s Jack Dawkins (bows), better known to my more hintimate
friends as the Artful Dodger.

Oliver: (Shaking hands vigorously, looking very happy) Pleased to meet you
Mr Dodger! Are you sure the old gentleman won’t mind?

Dodger: Mind?...

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 Scene 3: Fagin’s Den

Boys are sitting around playing cards, some play fighting, etc. Fagin is sitting in far
corner, back to audience, being secretive over something.

Dodger: Ere, Fagin, I brought a new friend to see ya. Oliver Twist.

Fagin turns very slowly.

Oliver: (In awe) Sir. (Bows).

Fagin (Ahmed Mohamed):

(Oozing charm) Well, I hope I shall have the honour of getting to
know you better, my dear. We are very glad to see you Oliver – very.
(Looking at other boys) Aren’t we my dears?

Boys cheer/shout and grab Oliver’s things. There is chaos as Oliver looks scared.

Fagin: (Shouting harshly Leave him alone!! (Turns to Oliver and puts nice
face and voice back on) So, you have come to London to seek your
fortune, have you Oliver? Well, we must see what we can do to help
ya. Mustn’t we?

Oliver: Oh, thank you sir!

Boy 1: (Mimicking) Oh, thank you sir. (Other boys laugh.)

Fagin: Shut it!

Oliver looks around him.

Fagin: Ah, you’re staring at the, er, pocket handkerchiefs my dear. We just
hang em up ready for the wash – ain’t that right lads?

Boys: (Sarcastically and drawn out) Ye-ah! (All laugh.)

Oliver: Is this a laundry then?

Boy 2: Yeah, that’s right – a laundry! Ha, ha, ha, ha.

Fagin: A laundry would be very nice, but no – (whispering) our line of

business pays a little better, don’t it boys?

Boys: (Raising eyebrows) Ye-ah!

Oliver: What do you do then Sir?

Fagin: Well, Oliver, it’s like a game – just a game. Watch…

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Fagin rubs hands, flexes fingers, pushes down fingers on gloves. Takes hankies,
watches, etc from box and puts in various pockets. Dodger tries to take watch out of
Fagin’s hand – Fagin slaps his hand. Boys all laugh. Fagin struts about as music
starts.

Fagin: You see Oliver…

Chorus: Pick a Pocket or Two

Fagin
This life
One thing counts
In the bank
Large amounts
I'm afraid these don't grow on trees
You've got to pick a pocket or two
You've got to pick a pocket or two

Boys!
You've got to pick a pocket or two

Large amounts don't grow on trees

You've got to pick a pocket or two

Why should we break our backs?

Stupidly
Paying tax
Better get some untaxed income
Better pick a pocket or two
You've got to pick a pocket or two
Boys!
You've got to pick a pocket or two

Why should we all break our backs

Better pick a pocket or two

Robin Hood
What a crook
Gave away what he took
Charity's fine
Subscribe to mine
Get out and pick a pocket or two
You've got to pick a pocket or two
Boys!
You've got to pick a pocket or two

Fagin: Right! Put them all back in the box.

Boys: Aw!

Boys put trinkets back.

Fagin: All of them!

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 Boy returns and puts another watch in box.

(Fiercely) Come here!.... (Smiles and pats him on cheek) Good boy.
What a crook!

Boy laughs.

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 Scene 4: Marketplace

Dodger and Charlie look for opportunities to pick pockets. Oliver stands to a side
watching, not really knowing what is going on. Dodger and Charlie steal old
gentleman’s wallet, with Oliver watching wide-eyed. Man turns round, Dodger and
Charlie run off, and Oliver freezes, petrified. Dodger hides at edge of stage,
watching.

Old man: (Holding out hand) Give it back, boy…

Oliver just stands, looking more afraid.

Come on, boy, give it back to me.

Oliver runs away. Old man, police etc, chase Oliver around stage. Oliver is
eventually caught by a policeman, being grabbed by his collar and dragged to centre
of the stage. Old man, and shopkeeper approach.

Policeman: Is this the boy, Sir?

Old man: Well, that’s the boy I saw but this man says two other boys stole my
wallet.

Shopkeeper: That’s right. This boy had nothing to do with it.

Policeman: Why did you run off then, lad?

Oliver just stands and stares, terrified.

Old man: It’s all right, boy. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Where are your
parents?

Oliver: (Nervously) I, I don’t have any, sir. I’m an orphan.

Old man: Well, who looks after you? Where do you live?

Oliver: I – I can’t say, sir.

Old man: Well, I shall look after you then. At least I can make some amends.
Come along.

Exit Oliver and old man. Dodger gets up and runs off other way (back to Fagin’s).

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Old man: (Looking fondly at Oliver) I have something to tell you, Oliver. I have
discovered that you are the son of my late brother’s second wife’s
youngest daughter’s cousin, who ran away from home when she was
17. That’s quite a coincidence, I know. Do you think it sounds a bit
difficult to believe?

Old man: Oh good, then I want to adopt you Oliver. Come on, let’s go home.

Exit old man and Oliver looking happy. Exit anyone else left on stage. It is quiet for
few seconds, no movement. Then, Fagin raises his head cautiously, looks around,
sees there is no one there and comes out. Starts to sing (no music) …

Fagin: Can somebody change? It’s possible.

Maybe it’s too late – but it’s possible.
All my dearest companions and treasures,
I’ve left them behind.
I’ll turn a leaf over and who can tell
What I may find.

Starts to walk off stage when Dodger appears from his hiding place, folding his arms
and looking up at Fagin.

Fagin: Yes, young man, and do I have the honour of your acquaintance?

Dodger hands over a wallet, which Fagin looks over.

Lined?

Dodger: Only the best…. Lovely workmanship, ain’t it?

Fagin continues singing…

Fagin: I’m reviewing… the situation.

Dodger: Once the villain, you’re a villain to the end.

Fagin: Your light fingers…

Dodger: Your inspiration.

Both: What a team.

Dodger: Am I your partner?

Fagin: More a friend.

For your talent is employable
So make your life enjoyable.
A world with pockets open wide
Awaits your desire to raise again.

Dodger: Collections undetectable.

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Fagin: We might retire respectable.

Dodger: Together until our dying day.

Fagin: The living proof that crime can pay.

Both: I think we’ll have to work it out again!!

THE END!!

Everyone returns on stage during Finale Song:

30 seconds music for everyone to take position,
then straight into two choruses of Consider Yourself (Reprise).

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