THE success of the film version was such that the story of Oliver Twist is best remembered for its song and dance routines.

But the classic book by Charles Dickens about the boy who asked for more is a far more stark portrayal of the treatment meted out to children in Victorian England.

A Sparring Partners production, which opens at Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal tonight, could be said to be truer to the original - despite being set in the 1950s.

An impressive cast includes a Mrs Corney, played by Lucinda Rykens, from Thirsk - sister of intrepid explorer Robert Swann, and a distant relative of Lord Olivier.

"I went to drama school in London but I suppose my heart wasn't in it; in the end I just was not dedicated enough," she said yesterday.

The play is produced and directed by Mary Tait, whose husband, Phil, takes the role of Fagin. The cast also includes the Hon Harry Orde-Powlett, of Bolton Castle, in Wensleydale.

Mrs Tait said: "We chose to set the play in the 1950s as, when you look at characters like Bill Sykes, you get a feel for tarts and bikers.

"The musical version sanitised the story and robbed it of its power - after all, it is a very sad story about the abuse of children."

Audiences are warned some scenes may upset children unused to contemporary theatre.

Call the Georgian Theatre Royal on (01748) 822472