Berkeley Rep Presents Oliver Twist May 11 - June 24
Berkeley Repertory Theatre ends its 2006/07 Season with a dark and delightful new adaptation of Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist' staged by one of Britain's most innovative theatre artists, beginning previews in the Roda Theatre on May 11, opens May 16, and closes June 24.
Drama League Awards Nominations Announced
The Drama League has announced nominations for the 2006-07 Drama League Awards, to be awarded at the 73rd Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Friday, May 11, 2007
ART's 'Oliver Twist' puts new twist on Dickens' tale
The most difficult aspect of dramatizing a well-known and well-loved work of literature is finding the correct balance between maintaining the integrity of the original work and adding elements to justify the adaptation. The recent Broadway revival of A Chorus Line was criticized for being a carbon copy of the original production, while the short-lived, musicalized version of The Wedding Singer film was criticized for changing key plot points. How, then, can an adaptation to the stage do justice to the original work as well as bring the material to life in a new and innovative way?
Neil Bartlett seems to know the secret. In his adaptation of 'Oliver Twist,' the classic novel by Charles Dickens, Bartlett captures the dark, dank world of the young orphan in a way that Lionel Bart's musical Oliver! fails to do. There are no upbeat songs about 'Oom-Pah-Pah!' or considering yourself part of the family; Bartlett's Oliver Twist is no musical comedy.