 Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 8: In its Sunday theatre series, Natrang presented a new play ''Oliver Twist'', by Charles Dickens at Matrika Auditorium, Shri Mata Vashno Devi University, Katra. The play has been adapted and directed by Aarushi Thakur. The play was projected the recurring issue of Child abuse across the world. The story revolves around a young boy orphan, Oliver Twist, who endures a miserable existence in a workhouse and then is placed with an undertaker. He escapes and travels to London where he meets the Artful Dodger, leader of a gang of juvenile pickpockets. Naïvely unaware of their unlawful activities, Oliver is led to the lair of their elderly criminal trainer Fagin. Later, Oliver naïvely goes out to "make handkerchiefs" (because there is no income) with two of Fagin's underlings, the Artful Dodger and a boy of a humorous nature named Charley Bates. Oliver realizes too late that their real mission is to pick pockets. Dodger and Charley steal the handkerchief of an old gentleman named Brownlow, and promptly flee.
When he finds his handkerchief missing, Mr. Brownlow turns round, sees Oliver running away in fright, and pursues him. Others join the chase and Oliver is caught and taken before the magistrate. Curiously, Brownlowh has second thoughts about the boy - he seems reluctant to believe he is a pickpocket. He takes him to his house and gives him a life he rightfully deserves. |
