LIHU‘E — Island School presents “Oliver Twist,” on the Main Hall stage on Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 4-6, at 7 p.m., a press release states. The cast of 14 high-school thespians presents one of the most deeply felt stories about
LIHU‘E — Island School presents “Oliver Twist,” on the Main Hall stage on Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 4-6, at 7 p.m., a press release states.
The cast of 14 high-school thespians presents one of the most deeply felt stories about childhood ever written.
The script was written in 2004 by British playwright/director, Neil Bartlett, who made a point not to stray from the original language in Dickens’ novel.
A cast of unforgettable characters brings the underworld of 19th-century London back to thrilling life — a city teeming with images of danger and fear — all seen through the eyes of an astonished child.
Local Kaua‘i composer Kathleen Dahill’s original tunes were inspired by the vivid world of Victorian music halls and compliment the dark and sinister lyrics provided in Bartlett’s script.
Dahill’s husband, Chris “Angus” Sweitzer, has designed lighting that accents the mood. Ellen DelBene’s costumes transform the teenage actors into an ensemble of Dickinson characters. Set builder Sue Macklin, and acting and musical coaches Richard Porto, Theresa DiBona and Mary Alfiler, round out the production team headed up by Director Peggy Ellenburg.
Student actors, costumers, set-builders and lighting interns are gaining valuable experience working alongside these individuals, the release states.
Sophomore Ava Zebzda has learned to play the squeezebox (concertina), which brings an authentic, 19th-century sound to the production.
By turns comic and tragic, musical and dramatic, Bartlett’s adaptation of “Oliver Twist” was a runaway success in London and subsequently at Harvard University’s American Repertory Theatre in 2007. The Kaua‘i shows are next weekend only: Nov. 4, 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. Island School is located behind Kaua‘i Community College in Puhi. Tickets are $5 in advance, $8 at the door. Contact peggy@ischool.org for ticket information. “Oliver Twist” is produced with permission from Neil Bartlett, the Agency (London) Ltd.
