Oliver, JR

The show opens to reveal a dark and bland dining hall full of dozens of young workhouse boys. It is raining outside, adding to the gloomy atmosphere. The boys are starved and dream of all the delicious food they could eat to quell their great appetites. Much to their dismay, they are given only a measly bowlful of gruel for their half-hearted meal (“Food, Glorious, Food”). One young boy, still left hungry from the small meal, approaches their keeper, Mr. Bumble, and courageously asks for some more food. Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney, another of the work house owners, find his request absurd and out of line. They demand to know the boy's name before they decide a fitting punishment for his behavior (“Oliver”). Mr. Bumble then gathers Oliver’s few belongings and takes the boy to the streets, exclaiming to the town that the young boy is for sale to anyone for a good price (“Boy for Sale”).