Oliver Twisted

Some slumdogs become millionaires,but the majority wallows in misery for a lifetime. A Delhi theatre director gives a twist to the story of street children by adapting Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist and placing it in Mumbai slums. The play,called Slumdog Oliver,will be performed by 33 students between six and 16 years later this month.

In this story of young children who are trained to become pickpockets,Dickensian characters like Fagin and Nancy have names like Fagun and Nainy,and the Artful Dodger is split into two characters Jantar and Mantar. “They are joined by a typical Indian character called Uncle Lollipop,a reformed petty criminal,who adds a comic element to the dark lives of children,” says Sarita Vohra,director of Livingroom Theatre,who is reviving the play for the Delhi audience. The 90-minute play is in Hindi and being performed after 10 years. “Previously,it went by the names of Bombay ka Oliver and Oliver Zara Hatke. The new name is inspired by Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire,” says Vohra. The play uses two tracks from the Broadway version of Oliver! — with Who will buy my sweet red roses becoming Lelo phul gulab ke — and a couple of original compositions by Vohra.

The play will be staged at the India Habitat Centre on July 30. Contact: 24682001