Oliver Twist at Leeds Playhouse: A dark, deep and accessible tale – Review

Yet another version of Oliver? Well, if you think you’ve seen it “all before,” get yourself buckled in for this diverse, dynamic and poignant version of Oliver Twist. 

Accessibility is at the heart of this production which I happily watched from the comfort of my own warm home. Leeds Playhouse which embodies this heart of accessible theatre with its welcoming venue and pioneering community team shared their latest production from Ramps on the Moon in this recently popular format. 

Not only that but the play integrates the power of British Sign Language and makes sure that most consumers of the show as well as the cast are catered for. 

Utilising the power of multimedia signage too, it’s hard not to love this unique version of the classic tale. 

I found myself gripped, enthralled, and reinvigorated by the spectacle I watched from my warm home office. 

For me personally, the dark cold winter weather plays havoc on my fibromyalgia, and whilst I love theatre as a dyslexic and dyspraxic it can be hard to digest. But this play was worth the investment, simple tweaks which made the show inclusive and added its own vitality to a much-loved production. 

A perfect Friday night in for me. 

A Leeds Playhouse production in association with Ramps on the Moon Written by Bryony Lavery Based on the novel by Charles Dickens Directed by Amy Leach For more information, go to: https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/