A ‘Twist’ in the tale
Students from the Overseas College of Colombo recently staged their own rendition of Lionel Bart’s musical ‘Oliver!’ adapted from Charles Dickens’ well-loved novel ‘Oliver Twist’ and it was no ordinary school play as OSC explored the idea of interactive theatre.
Pix courtesy Waznie Neaz (W photography)
An interactive performance that had Fagin’s crew ‘stealing’ purses from the ladies in the audience, Oliver being chased around by Policemen during the interval and even peddlers inviting one to buy something off their little carts.
The staging of the play was not the standard auditorium seating one would expect at a school play. Instead, the seating was arranged to something akin to ‘thrust theatres’ as the audiences was arranged into three sides which led to an enhanced intimacy between the audience and cast.
For the set of the play, OSC had gone for the bare minimum. A graffiti decked wall with a door and a hidden raised platform served as the place where Fagin and his theives displayed their stolen goods, the place where Mrs. Bedwin shows Oliver the prospect of a loving family and ultimately the spot where Bill Sikes takes his life.
The play started off with the rhythmic clatter of spoons against tin bowls and the march of orphans at the workhouse as they performed ‘Food Glorious Food’. The ensemble had to be given credit where it’s due. Abuzz with energy and enthusiasm they really tied together the cast well.
The leads of the play as well portrayed their roles very well. From the young Oliver whose innocence and kindness shone very clearly through Connor O’Mahony’s portrayal of Oliver Twist to Akhil Pilapitiya who did justice to the mischievous yet cunning Artful Dodger.
Seth Keerthiratne who played the role of Fagin, played an amusing Master of Thieves who hailed from Indian descent rather than playing the original Jewish one. It was an emotive performance from Seth particularly in the final scenes as he shows remorse for his actions with the news of Nancy’s death.
The standout performance from the entire cast, personally, was Sheruni Pilapitiya who really blew everyone away with her heartfelt characterisation of Nancy. Her soulful ballad of ‘As Long as He Needs Me’ sent chills down a few spines and deserved a standing ovation.
The entire cast put on a brilliant production that was both interesting to watch and be a part of as attendees were immersed in the world of Oliver Twist in a more modernised setting. Another engaging aspect of the performance was the live 12-piece band seated in between the audiencethat provided all the flawless background music in the play. Comprising students, alumni and teachers the band certainly created the atmosphere of the play with either the ominous playing of a violin or the calming strumming of an acoustic guitar.
