Oliver!

Audition Information Pack

AUDITION INFORMATION

YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 10 YRS. OLD TO AUDITION

Parents need to come to auditions to sign releases for children who are auditioning for the show.

Carlow
Saturday 25th November: 4pm to 6pm
Carlow Rugby Club, Oak Park Road, Carlow

Tullow
Sunday 26th November: 11am to 1pm
Capt Murphy Hall, Tullow

Bagenalstown
Sunday 3rd December: 2pm to 4pm
Community Centre, Bagenalstown

Call backs
You will know by the evening of Wednesday 6th December via email if you need to come to
callbacks.
Rehearsals

Begin Jan 14th 2018

Each Sunday 2pm 6pm Ballon Community Hall

Full rehearsal schedule will be available at first rehearsal.

Show Dates

Sat 7th & Sun 8th April Carlow

Sat 14th & Sun 15th April Tullow

Sat 21st & Sun 22nd April Bagenalstown

Saturdays @8pm, Sundays @2pm

Please make sure you are able to commit this significant chunk of time before auditioning.
Parts to be cast:
Oliver Twist A young, workhouse boy with an Where is Love preferred audition song
innocent appearance. Significant Id Do Anything
acting, singing role. Some minor Be Back Soon
dancing Consider Yourself

Fagin Runs pick-pocket house for orphans Reviewing the Situation preferred audition song
usually played by a slender man 30s Pick-a-pocket
to 50s. Significant character acting, Id Do Anything
singing, some dancing Be Back Soon
Fine Life Reprise

Nancy One of Fagins graduates something Its a Fine Life preferred audition song
of a sturdy ingenue role in love Id Do Anything
with Bill Sykes. Singing (belter), Oom-pah-pah
acting, dancing As Long As He Needs Me
Fine Life Reprise

The Artful Fagins best pick-pocket, young Consider Yourself preferred audition song
Dodger teenager. Significant character Id Do Anything
acting, singing, dancing . Be Back Soon
Fine Life Reprise

Bet Nancys friend age early teens. Id Do Anything preferred audition song
Strong in reacting to scenes, singing, Its a Fine Life
dancing

Bill Sykes a villain Significant acting, some Fine Life Reprise does not need to be a great
singing singer

Mr. Bumble Manager of the orphanage usually One Boy For Sale preferred audition song
played by a large man around 50 Oliver
years old. Character acting, singing I Shall Scream

Widow Corney Domineering mistress of the I Shall Scream preferred audition song
orphanage Oliver

Mr. Sowerberry Runs the mortuary a slim, morbid Thats Your Funeral
character.

Mrs. Sowerberry His wife Thats Your Funeral

Mrs. Bedwin Mr. Brownlows housekeeper Where is love

Fagins gang / Singing, dancing Food Glorious Food

workhouse Oliver
Orphans Consider Yourself
Its a Fine Life
Pick-a-pocket
Be Back Soon
Ensemble/Dance Consider Yourself
Troupe Oom-pah-pah
Who Will Buy
Noah Claypole Sowerberry apprentice
Charlotte Sowerberrys daughter
Mr. Brownlow A refined older gentleman who turns
out to be Olivers grandfather

Dr. Grimwig
Multiple solos for the ensemble in Who Will Buy
 Oliver!
Audition Script

This packet contains selections from the script that we will be using for the auditions. We will not be
looking for memorization, just the ability to deliver lines convincingly and realistically.

Cockney accent preferred but not required Mr Brownlow and Dr Grimwig speak with a proper
English Dialect and Oliver can be not so lower class as cockney

Character Readings to prepare

Oliver 1, 2, 5, 8
The Artful Dodger 1, 2, 3, 4
Fagin 2, 3, 4, 7
Nancy 3, 4, 7, 8
Bill Sykes 4, 8
Mr. Brownlow 6, 7
Mr Bumble 9
Widow Corney 9
Mr Sowerberry 5
Mrs Sowerberry 5
Charlotte 5
Noah 5
Dr. Grimwig 6
Reading #1: Oliver, Dodger

OLIVER: (whistling, humming or singing to himself) Food, glorious food! Hot sausage and
mustard!
While were in the mood Cold jelly and custard!

DODGER: What yer starin at? Aint yer never seen a gent?

OLIVER: No I havent.

DODGER: Tired?

OLIVER: Ive been running hard.

DODGER: Oh I seeYou must be runnin away from the Beak.

OLIVER: The what?

DODGER: Now dont tell me yer dont know what a beak is, me flash mate?

OLIVER: Isnt a beak what a birds got?

DODGER: My eyes how green! A beak is a madgstrate, for your information. Are you
accommodated?

OLIVER: No I dont think so

DODGER: Then accommodated you shall be, me old mate! Theres a certain house and we
know a respectable old gentleman lives there, wotll give you lodgins for nothink,
and never ask for the change this is and that is, if any other gentleman wot he
knows interduces yer. And does he know me? I should say he does!

OLIVER: Who is the respectable old gentleman, then? Is he a charity gentleman?

DODGER: Well, I wouldt eggzackly say that not eggzackly. But if we interduces someone its
alright, on account of we happen ter be pertickler favourites of Mister Faginthats
his name Mister Fagin. By the way if were interducing you to Fagin, we better
know who you are me old china plate.

OLIVER: My names Oliver Oliver Twist.

DODGER: And my names Jack Dawkins better known among me more hintemate friends as
the Artful Dodger.

OLIVER: Pleased to meet you, Mister Dawkins.

Reading#2: Fagin, Oliver, Dodger, and Bob

FAGIN: I hope youve all been hard at work today, my dears.

DODGER: Hard?

BOB: As rocks!

FAGIN: Good boys Good boys! What have you got Dodger?

DODGER: A couple of wallets.

FAGIN: (Weighing the wallets) Not as heavy as they might be. But very nicely made!
Ingenious workman, aint he, Oliver?

OLIVER: (Examining the wallets) Very ingenious, sir. (BOB roars with laughter)

FAGIN: (To BOB) And what have you got, my dear?

Charley: Nose-rags. (He produces two large silk handkerchiefs one red, one purple.)

FAGIN: Well, theyre very good ones, very! yellow and green! You havent embroidered
em too well tho Charley so well have to pick the initials out with a needle. Youll
need to learn how to do this too, Oliver my dear. Wont he boys? (boys shriek with
laughter)

BOYS: Yeah, but not alf.

FAGIN: But in the meantime, youll have to learn how to make (meaning steal) wallets like
Dodger and Charley here. Youd like that, wouldnt you, my dear?

OLIVER: Ohh yes, Mister Fagin, if youll teach me.

FAGIN: Certainly my boy, no fee! Just do everything you see Dodger and Charley do. Make
em your models, my dear especially Dodger Hes going to be right little Bill
Sikes! Now then, is my handkerchief protruding from my pocket?
Reading #3: Fagin, Dodger, Bet, and Nancy

(FAGIN is whistling PICK A POCKET softly to himself. Every now and then, HE stops
whistling to hear if there is anybody about. HE turns round and looks at the boys
lying in bed then takes a Small box and places it on the table. HIS eyes glisten as HE
looks inside. HE takes from the box a gold watch. Swinging the watch to and fro, HE
looks out front, and speaks to the bird in a cage)

FAGIN: Im a real miser, yknow. But can I help it? I just like to look at it! This is my little
pleasure a cup of coffee and a quick count-up. (HE takes a sip of coffee from
the saucepan, and has a quick count up.) I meanwhos gonner look after me in me
old age? (To the bird) Will you, birdie? Will you? You? {he finds Oliver awake
watching his every move} Why are you awake?What have you seen? Quick quick
Speak I want to hear every detail you saw Oliver I couldnt sleep any more, sir. Im
very sorry if I disturbed you sir. Were you awake 5 minutes ago?

OLIVER: No sir

FAGIN: Two Minutes ago?

OLIVER: Not that I know of sir

FAGIN: Be sure be sure !!!

OLIVER: {alarmed} all right then Im sure!

FAGIN: Alright then.If youre sure, Im sure Of course, I knew all along, my dear. I was only
trying to frighten you. Youre a brave boy, Oliver. A brave Boy. Did you see any of the
pretty things my boy?

OLIVER: Yes, sir

FAGIN: Ah! Theyre mine Oliver my little property. All Ive got to live on in me old age. Its a
terrible thing, old age.

OLIVER: Do you think I could get up now sir?

FAGIN: Certainly my dear certainly Theres a basin of water on the fire you can have a wash.

OLIVER: But I had a wash yesterday sir

FAGIN: Well todays your birthday, Wash!

NANCY: Plummy and slam! (All the CHILDREN wake up. NANCY enters with BET)
FAGIN: (with lightning speed, FAGIN returns the box to its hiding place) Its Nancy! Wake up
boys! The ladies is ere.

NANCY: Well have less of that if you dont mind! Wheres the gin?

FAGIN: All in moderation my dear too much gin can be a dangerous thing for a pure young
girl

NANCY: Whatswrong with a drop of danger then Mr Fagin? After all thats the only bit of
excitement we have around here and who would deny us that small pleasure
would you?. { She sings small pleasures} after song

NANCY: Whos he Fagin?

FAGIN: Oh ladies I forgot to introduce you to our new lodger Mister Oliver Twist Esquire
Nancy and Bet ( they curtsy Oliver bows solemnly the boys cat call}

NANCY: Charmed to meet you

FAGIN: Oh yes, were all ladies and gentlemen ere. Were all quality

NANCY: You wouldnt know quality if you saw it none of yer! cept Dodge. Have you seen
the way them quality gentlemen treats their ladies?

DODGER: Of course I have!

NANCY: Shall we show them how its done?

DODGER: Righty-ho.
Reading #4: Fagin, Dodger, Nancy, and Sykes

FAGIN: (rising) Wheres Oliver? Wheres the boy? (FAGIN takes hold of DODGERs ear. Now
then! Whats become of him. (DODGER doesnt answer. FAGIN takes hold of
DODGERs coat, and gives HIM a violent shaking, to emphasize each word of HIS
questions) What has become of Oliver?

DODGER: (in between being shaken) Got took away in a coach!

FAGIN: (still shaking the LAD) Who coach? What coach? Where coach?

DODGER: (breathlessly) He got nabbed on the job! They took him to court. We waited outside.
The old man we robbed, come out of the court with Oliver and took him off in a
coach to his home.

FAGIN: Where to? Quick! (DODGER pauses for breath) Speak!

DODGER: Bloomsbury 19, Chepstowe Gardens Bloomsbury we run all the way.

FAGIN: Why didnt you look after him? Why didnt you bring him back with you?

{Sykes who has been drinking persues Fagins face for a give away look}

SYKES: Fagin looks worried

FAGIN: (to nobody in particular) One of us, Bill. A new boy went out on his first job today
with Dodger. Im afraid that he may say something which will get us into trouble

Sykes thats very likelyyour blowed opon..Fagin!

FAGIN: and Im afraid.. you see.. that if the game was up with usIt might be up for a a good
many more and it would come out rather worse for you than it would for me, my
dear. (SYKES starts towards FAGIN, who merely stares vacantly ahead. There is a
pause while THEY think)

SYKES: Somebody must find out whats been done, or said. If he hasnt talked yet, theres
still a chance we might get him back wivout suspicion. Well nab him the very
moment he dares to step out of that house. Now, whos goner go?

(THEY all look around at each other)

FAGIN: (Beams at NANCY) The very thing! Nancy, me dear, what do you say?

SYKES: The very thing!

NANCY: That it wont do, so its no use a-trying it on, Fagin!

SYKES: And just what do you mean by that remark?

NANCY: (Decidedly) What I say, Bill.

SYKES: Why, youre just the very person for it. Nobody up that way knows anything about
yer.

NANCY: And as I dont want em to, neither, its rather more no than yes wiv me, Bill.

SYKES: Shell go, Fagin.

NANCY: No she wont, Fagin.

SYKES: Yes, she will, Fagin! ( SYKES approaches NANCY and points at her threateningly). Ill
see to it that she does. (To BOYS.) Go on, get out! (FAGIN, BOYS, then SYKES exit.)
Reading #5: Mr Sowerberry, Mrs Sowerberry, Noah, Charlotte, Oliver

MR.S: Will you have the goodness to come here a moment,my dear?

MRS. S: What do you want? Well! What is it?

MR. S: My Dear I have told Mr Bumble that we may consider taking in this young boy to
help in the shop.

MRS. S: Dear me hes very small.

MR. S: Yes he is very small but hell grow

MRS. S: (examines him) Ah, I dare say he will, on our vittles and our drink. Theyre a waste of
time, these workhouse boys- they always cost more to keep than what theyre
worth. Still, you men always think you know best. What re you going to do with
him?

MR .S: Theres an expression of melancholy on his face, my dear,which is very interesting.

He could make a delightful coffin-follower.

MRS .S: A what?

MR .S: I dont mean a regular coffin-follower to follow grown-ups, but only for the
childrens practice. It would be very nice to have a follower in proportion, my sweet.
A superb effect- the more I think about it!

MRS: .S For oncejust for once you might have a decent idea. Very well then, boy what
your name?

NOAH: Im Mis-ter No-ah Clay-pole-and youre- under- me! So open up the blind, you
young Scallywag( Noah kicks Oliver)

CHARLOTTE: Hello. Noah, I saved a nice little bit of bacon for you from masters breakfast. Oliver!
Shut the door! And take them bits and your tea and go over there and eat em. And
make haste, cos theyll want you to mind the shop. Do you hear?

NOAH: Do you hear, Workhouse?

CHARLOTTE: Lor Noah! What a tease you are! Let the boy alone.
NOAH: Let him alone? Im giving the boy a change, you silly thing! Everyone lets him alone.
His father left him alone-his mother left him alone- they all left him alone except
dear old, kind old Noah! Eh Charlotte? He,he,he!

CHARLOTTE: Ha,ha,ha! You are a one!

NOAH: Work House! Hows yer mother? What did she die of? Shortness of Breath? You
know Workhouse,it cant be helped now, and of course it couldnt be helped then,
and Im very sorry for it, and all that but you must know.Workhouse, your mother
was a regular, right down bad,un!
Reading #6: Mr. Brownlow, Dr Grimwig

BROWNLOW: Doctor, do you notice the most extraordinary likeness between that boys face and
the portrait of my daughter Agnes?

GRIMWIG: Cant say I do I only know two sorts of boys. Mealy faced boys anf beef-faced boys.

BROWNLOW: and which is Oliver?

GRIMWIG: Mealy, Where does he come from?

BROWNLOW: Didnt I tell you? He was arrested for stealing my pocket hankerchief.

GRIMWIG: What Sir?

BROWNLOW: It was all my mistake and when the shopkeeper told us what really happened and he
was released by the magistrate I brought him here to make what amends I could.
But I must confess I find myself strangely attached to the child.

GRIMWIG: Hes deceiving you, my good friend. He has had a fever. What of that? Fevers are not
particular to good people, are they? Bad people have fevers sometimes, havent
they? He stole your pocket handkerchief, didnt he? Then hell steal more sir.
Reading #7: Mr. Brownlow and Nancy

NANCY: (NANCY bursts in) I cant stay out there any longer. IfId gone away as many would
have done you might have been sorry, and not without reason neither.

BROWNLOW: Im sorry if anyone has been rude to you. Can I help you in any way?

NANCY: I am the girl that took little Oliver back to old Fagins on the morning he left this
house.

BROWNLOW: You?

NANCY: Me, sire. And I wish now that Id never been part of it. The boy mentioned you
specially and I thought if I came to you

BROWNLOW: Where is this place you speak of Fagins? And where is Oliver?

NANCY: I cant tell you where he is but Ill bring him to you. Not here, thats too dangerous
will you promise that I wont be watched or followed?

BROWNLOW: I promise you solemnly.

NANCY: Then tonight, between eleven and the time the clock strikes twelve, I will walk on
Crompton Street and I will bring Oliver! (SHE exits)
Reading #8: Fagin, Oliver, and Sykes

SYKES: (walking in with OLIVER) Twist! Ill give him Twist!

NANCY: All right Bill, leave him now- Were here

FAGIN: Look boys, Olivers back!

DODGER: Hes got books Fagin (laughing) Look at his togs,Fagin! Superfine cloth and the
heavy swell cut! Nothing but a gentleman Fagin!

FAGIN: Delighted to see you looking so well, my dear. The Artful Dodger shall give you
another suit, my dear, for fear you should spoil that Sunday one. Why didnt you
write, my dear, and say you were coming? Wed have got something warm for
supper.

(DODGER draws forth the five-pound note from one of OLIVERs pockets, BILL SYKES
steps forward but before HE can get there, FAGIN grabs the note)

SYKES: Hullo, whats that? Thats mine, Fagin.

FAGIN: No, no, my dear. Mine, Bill, mine. You can have the books.

SYKES: If that aint mine mine and Nancys, that is, Ill take the boy back again! (FAGIN
stops in his tracks) Come on, and over.

FAGIN: This is hardly fair, Bill -

SYKES: Fair or not fair, hand over I tell you! Do you think Nancy and me got nothing better
to do with our time but to spend it chasing after young kids? Give it to me you
avaricious old skeleton, give it here! (HE plucks the note from between FAGINs
finger and thumb and, looking FAGIN coolly in the face, folds it up small and ties it in
HIS handkerchief) Thats for our share of the trouble and not half enough neither.
Here. Start a library.

OLIVER: (defiantly) You cant keep the books. They belong to Mr. Brownlow and if he finds
out youve got them, hell be out here after you.

SYKES: So ell be out here, will e? What did you tell him about us?

OLIVER: Nothing.

SYKES: That remains to be seen but if we found out you said anything anything out of
place Fagin, Ill wager that young scoundrels told him everything.
OLIVER: (trying to escape) Help! Help!

(Nancy throws herself at Bill to keep him from following Oliver)

SYKES: Stand off o me or Ill split your head against the wall

NANCY: I dont care for that ,Bill. The child shant be harmed unless you kill me first

SYKES: Shant he? Ill soon do that if you dont keep off ( he flings the girl across the
room)

Fagin all right all right weve got him, whats the matter?

SYKES: The girls gone mad I think!

NANCY: No she hasnt Fagin, dont think it!

Fagin Then keep quiet will yer!

NANCY: No. I wont keep quiet

Fagin all this violence.

SYKES: Try and run away ,would you? ( takes off a belt to beat Oliver)

NANCY: I wont stand by and see it done Bill. Youve got him here, what more would you
have? Let him be or I shall put my mark on someone, and not care for the
consequence.

Fagin Why Nancy, youre wonderfuk today. Such talent. What an actress

NANCY: Am I ? Take care I dont overdue it Cause Im warning you Ill put my finger on some
of you and I dont care if I hang with you!

SYKES: You? Do You know who you are? And what you are?

NANCY: (hysterically) Ah yes, I know all about it. Who I am and what I am!

SYKES: Well then keep quiet or Ill quiet you for a good long time to come. Youre a nice un,
coming all this humane and genteel rubbish. A pretty subject for the child, as you
call him, to make a friend of.

NANCY: Lord help me, I am, and I wish Id of been struck dead in the street before I lent a
hand in bringing him here. After today, hes a their, a liar, and all thats bad from his
day forth. Isnt that enough for yer, without beating him to death!
Reading #9: Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney

BUMBLE: Yes you are quite right Mrs Corney . We must get rid of this camker in our midst.
That boy was born to be hung, Mrs Corney. I,ve never been so shocked in all my day!

WIDOW: Hush, Mr Bumble,you must have had quite aturn. Sit down and have a nice cup of
tea.

BUMBLE: Its nice to be appreciated, Mrs Corney, these here paupers in this here parish dont
appreciate me. Anti-parochial they are, ma;am, anti parochial. We have given away
a matter of twenty loaves and a cheese and a half this very blessed afternoon; and
still, them paupers is not contented!

WIDOW: Of course theyre not When would they be? Sweet Mr Bumble?

BUMBLE: very sweey indeed , maam ( he spreads napkin across lap and sips tea}

WIDOW: You little tinker you!

BUMBLE: You have a cat Maam?, I see. And kittens too I declare!

WIDOW: Im so fond of them you cant imagine, Mr Bumble and theyre fond of their
home too

BUMBLE: Mrs Corney Maam I must say. That any cat or kitten that could live with
you maam and not be fond of its homemust be an idiot,maam and dont
deserve to live in it

WIDOW: Oh, Mr Bumble!

BUMBLE: Its no use disguising facts maam. An idiot! I would drown iy myselfwith pleasure!

WIDOW: Then youre a cruel man a very hard hearted man and all.

BUMBLE: Hard hearted? Mrs Corney? Hard? Hard Hearted,Maam? Are you hard hearted Mrs
Corney?

WIDOW: Dear Me! What a very curious question coming from a single man. What can you
want to now for? (he sips tea, wipes his lips and kisses her) Mr Bumble I shall
scream!! ( enjoying herself )
 Carlow Musical Society

Oliver! Audition Form

If actor is a minor:
Name Parent Names

Address

Contact No. Parent Contact No.

Email Parent email

Musical Theatre experience

I am interested in the following role(s)

I am willing to be cast in other roles (including chorus roles) yes or no

List any family members also auditioning

List any medical conditions of which directors should be aware