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I wrote “The Dodger”, with music by Andrew Fletcher, to be performed at  Manor Hall, North Leamington School.   

Recreating the characters from Oliver Twist, we follow the fate of Dodger and Bet.

The pair have been languishing in Newgate Prison. Oliver Twist persuades his new-found Uncle Mr. Brownlow to seek their release on the understanding that they leave London. Before they do, they visit The Three Cripples pub, where they meet Charlie Bates, another of Fagin’s boys and they agree to travel together.

The three set out for Portsmouth and arrive during the May Day celebrations where the Queen of The May is crowned. The first person they meet outside his shop is Joseph Levy, a money lender, who is urritated by Dodger’s chirpy approach. Dodger describes him as “Just like Fagin”.

A group of Pressmen, looking for a victim, come across Moses Levy locking up his shop late at night. They attack him and put a sack over his head. Dodger, Bet and Charlie arrive on the scene and, by a well practiced move, free Levy and escape into the shop.

Felicity Godber, whose mother is the May Queen, has spotted Dodger and is immediately smitten with him. He resists her approach and to put her off gives her a false name.  

The Dodger