From staff reports
The Masque Youth Theatre and School's upcoming production of "Oliver Twist" might not be the lovable orphan singalong most people have come to expect of the stage version of the classic tale.
Instead the youth theater set out to capture the true essence of the novel.
For the past two years, a group of about 11 young writers from the Masque met once a month to study the story and the life and times of author Charles Dickens, according to artistic director Sylvia Langworthy. What the students discovered was a vast underworld of 1838 London never seen by the rich people of the time.
Here, the "have nots" like Oliver, Dodger, Bill Sikes, Nancy and Fagin prowl the streets, while the haves are oblivious to the injustices, poverty and cruelty beneath the surface.
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The Masque will perform the theater's adaptation of "Oliver Twist" at 7 p.m. Oct. 22-23, 29-30 and 3 p.m. Oct. 24 and 31 at the theater, 14 Fourth St. S.W. in Rochester.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for youths and seniors. Season tickets and group discounts are also available.
For more information, visit www.masque.org or call 287-0704.
