By EGP News Service The Southern California premiere of Neil Bartlett’s wildly theatrical treatment of Charles Dickens’ classic ‘њOliver Twist’ќ opens Nov 8 at A NOISE WITHIN in Glendale, Repertory theatre company A Noise Within’s production of ‘њOliver Twist’ќ is chocked full of unforgettable underworld characters and breathtaking turns of fate. Comedy and tragedy mingle in a Victorian music hall setting as young Oliver Twist struggles to navigate the dark alleyways of a whimsically cruel world.

The production stresses the actor-driven, page-turning drama of the piece, said the theatre company’s lead director, Julia Rodriguez-Elliot.” ‘њIt does not shy away from the cruelty that Oliver Twist endures, but at the end of the play Oliver is safe at last.” There is hope,’ќ said Rodriguez-Elliot. ‘њThe adaptation is by design very theatrical, and Bartlett takes it a step further by having the actors play multiple roles and create the world of the play in collusion with the audience.

All roles are played by adults-adults play children, men play women, women play men,’ќ explains Rodriguez-Elliot. A Noise Within (ANW) is the only classical repertory company in Southern California and one of only a handful in the entire country dedicated solely to producing classical dramatic literature year-round and working in the repertory tradition of rotating productions using a resident company of professional artists.

Over the last 17 years, ANW has attracted fiercely loyal audiences and high praise from the media for its productions of great works of world drama and also as a leading regional force in arts education.” The company has received 26 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, Los Angeles’ highest recognition for theatrical achievement. Single Tickets Friday and Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees are $44; Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings, Saturday matinees are$40; and $28 (previews).