Originally produced by the Goodman Theatre of Chicago, this spirited play captures on stage the suspense which is found in the original Dickens story. Hailed as thrilling, the play follows the adventures of the young orphan, Oliver, has he encounters all of Dickens' memorable characters. Treated terribly at the orphanage and feed only gruel, Oliver runs away to London only to fall into the clutches of a gang of thieves. There is the conjuring Fagin, the good-hearted Nancy, the rascal Dodger, and the bullying Bill Sykes. Played out against the background of Victorian London, the play captures Dickens' world brilliantly. This adaptation was one of the first written especially for young audiences building on playwright Muriel Browne's desire to bring the classics to young people. Published by Classic Youth Plays, preserving the best in innovative children and youth theatre including plays that broke new ground, pioneering playwrights, and plays that have stood the test of time.