The Teaching Twist in Oliver

We went to see Oliver last night. A BRILLIANT performance by Cairns Choral Society, they filled the stage and the enquiring minds of the audience in perfect harmony.

A few busy London street scenes of over stimulation may have melted down those with autistic tendencies, however, the juxtaposition of the calm intensity of the sub text would have gained control of the melt down. I could not take my eyes, or mind, off the valuable teaching lessons being offered right in front of me.

I watched Oliver through adult, Human Service eyes and immediately grappled with the child exploitation by Fagan, his ill gained superannuation fund with his ever so normal concern for his respectable retirement and the overt domestic violence between Bill and Nancy. I hadn’t seen Oliver for many years, probably since well before I became a social worker, and I do not remember the domestic violence or even reflecting on the exploitation of homeless youth as a modern curse. Wow – what a shock it was to discover a rich tapestry of social science teaching in Oliver. I had not seen it before because I hadn’t bothered to re see the classic as an adult. What a mistake!

As I watched the grooming of Oliver by Dodger and then by the collective (Consider yourself at home), I really dug deep into understanding how easy, how romantic even, it is for our young people to fall into opportunistic prostitution and for us to not care because they are nought but street kids. The gang culture of sharing and a code of honour; how lovely to a young person who is searching for something/someone.

My thoughts this morning are twisted. This is a sign of a most excellent production – it has left me pondering the story line and holding the graphic words and acting in my mind. Most importantly, it has left me wanting to do something practical to end child homelessness and domestic violence. I already work in the field and leave my day job frustrated to the maximum. However, reaching out at a street level and giving what is missing but being searched for: would this make a difference?

The ticked cost me $40.00. Was it worth it? I throughly enjoyed the performance and want more. Congratulations to the Cairns Choral Society. I appreciate the social cognitive torture that has encroached me since last night’s performance and yes, it was worth it. It was so worth it that as a gesture of thanks, I am going to today donate  the cost of my ticket to Harold’s House and his Street Level Youth Care. Young Oliver was lucky to have a biological grand father who rescued and loved him. Our street kids are not quiet as theatrically blessed.

On behalf of the exploited street kids and victims of domestic violence that I work with, thank you Cairns Choral Society.

Donations to Harold’s House and the Street Level Youth Care can be made at
Cairns Penny Savings and Loans.

Here’s what a young homeless woman said about the help she could have received from Harold’s Street Level Youth Care:

“If it was there when I needed it, it probably would have been the best thing and I probably would have changed earlier.”
– Liz, aged 18