REVIEW | Unexpected Twist
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Reviewer - Hollie
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
Caution: There are scenes of violence and discussions of domestic abuse.
Unexpected Twist is a modern take on the classic Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist. It is a Made in Northampton production between the Royal and Derngate Theatre and the Children’s Theatre partnership. Former Children’s laureate Michael Rosen of ‘We’re Going On A Bear Hunt’ and ‘Chocolate Cake’ fame has written the play along with adaptor Roy Williams. The partnership of both of these has allowed Oliver Twist to be brought to a modern audience which is accessible for families and people of all ages.
The talent of all of the actors was demonstrated from the start. The actors used their voices as instruments to create the music for the show and this was really effective in engaging the audience in this modern retelling. Each character in the modern day represents a character from the classic novel including: Oliver Twist, Nancy and the Artful Dodger but not everything is quite as it seems!
The main character is Shona (Drew Hylton), whose life parallels that of Oliver Twist. She and her Dad are having a hard time as they are struggling for money and moving around different bedsits. Her mum has recently died and Shona starts a new school.
It was easy to relate to our own school days of the past as Shona begins her new school and starts to make friends and acquaintances. The use of humour throughout the performance meant that there were many laughs from the audience. A special mention to Alexander Lobo Moreno, who plays Tino and Dodger, and to Drew Hylton for her portrayal of Shona and Oliver. Both actors have fantastic singing voices and show their talent and stage presence throughout the whole show. Drew Hylton’s duet with Thomas Vernal, who plays her Dad, was stunning and very powerful.
The use of a multi-dimensional set and simple costumes allows for the show to be about the stories of the different characters. The themes of poverty, friendship and fresh starts are present throughout the performance as everyone has different lives that change and develop throughout the story. The clash between the Adidas tracksuit, the puma jumper and the crochet shawls from the 1830s blend really well together with the inclusion of beatboxing created by the actors on stage to create this modern masterpiece of the two stories.
The show ends with the characters remembering the happiest periods of their life and learning that life changes when you least expect it.
Please, sir, I want some more! I look forward to seeing what the Royal and Derngate and the Children’s Theatre Partnership do together again in the future.
