Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 8: Natrang in its Sunday theatre series presented a new play “Oliver Twist”, a masterpiece by Charles Dickens at Matrika Auditorium, Shri Mata Vashno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra.
The play has been adapted and directed by Aarushi Thakur who is a postgraduate in International Politics from University of Leicester, UK and a trained actor from Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. The play has beautifully projected the recurring issue of Child abuse across the world.
The story revolves around an orphan young boy, 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. Naively unaware of their unlawful activities, Oliver is led to the lair of their elderly criminal trainer Fagin.
Later, Oliver naively 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 Mr 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, Mr Brownlow 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.
The main role of Oliver Twist was played by Gopi Sharma while Mr Fagin was played by Masood Qadir who brought on stage a dark character with full professional ease. Others who outshined in their performance included Agam Kaur, Asma Gul, Manya Gujral, Yajur Mahajan, Riya Jandyal, Sanchita Dubey, Swaranjali Sambyal, Niddyaad Jamwal, Sahil Singh Anand, Utkarsh Thappa, Laith August Sharma, Chirag Anand, Mihir Gujral, Chander Pratap Singh Bhau, Sanyam Gupta, Shriya Gupta, Masood Qadir Malik, Sachin Bamba, Namit Dubey, Gaurav Jamwal, Amit Raina, Shazia Batool, Namrata Chib, Susheel Raina and Aarushi Thakur.
The lights were designed by Neeraj Kant and executed by Ankush Lakhnotra. Music of the play was scored by Syed Muddassar Ali Shah. Costumes were done by Vanshika Gupta. The show was coordinated by Mahikshit Singh Sambyal.
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