Foundations of Drama: Oliver Twist is a practical six-lesson scheme designed to introduce students to the essential skills and routines they need to succeed in Drama.
Using characters and situations from Oliver Twist as a creative framework, students move from structured ensemble activities to creating, rehearsing and sharing a short performance. No previous Drama experience or detailed knowledge of Dickens’s novel is required.
 
The unit begins by introducing the Four Cs: concentration, confidence, communication and collaboration. Students then develop their use of freeze-frames, stage pictures, space, levels, focus, voice, physicality and facial expression.
 
Across the unit, students will:
Explore the Four Cs through practical Drama activities.
Create clear freeze-frames and refine them using LEFT.
Use levels, space and focus to communicate setting, relationships and status.
Work as an ensemble to create the atmosphere of Victorian London.
Develop Oliver, the Artful Dodger and Fagin through vocal and physical choices.
Use thought-tracking, hot-seating and improvisation to explore character.
Rehearse, refine and perform a short scripted or improvised scene.
Give feedback and reflect on their development.
 
The final showcase gives students a choice between two dramatic encounters: Oliver meeting the Artful Dodger or Oliver meeting Fagin. Students select and combine the techniques that will make the characters, relationships and story clear to an audience.
This flexible scheme can be taught in a Drama studio or adapted for classroom delivery. It is particularly suitable as an introductory unit for students who are new to Drama.
 
Included in this resource:
A 43-slide PowerPoint presentation covering the complete unit.
A three-page scheme overview with learning objectives, activities, key vocabulary and resources for each lesson.
 
Suitable for: Ages 11–14, Key Stage 3 and middle-school Drama
Length: Six lessons
Final outcome: A rehearsed 60–90-second scripted or improvised encounter