Last
blog of this month : Gift ideas for Oliver!
To
start at the very beginning – Food! All kinds of foods that are
mentioned in the song, pease pudding (can be bought in tins),
mustard, custard, cakes or sweets made to look like their savoury
counterparts, strawberries (also mentioned in “Who Will Buy”).
Perhaps even “Rennies” or similar indigestion remedies. These can
be offered for all the children in the cast, whether they double as
workhouse children and Fagin's gang or not, with the addition of
sausages and fake gin (or ginger beer) for Fagin's boys.
For
Fagin's boys too, wallets, handkerchiefs and coins, sweet watches and
“jewellery”.
And
for Dodger a top hat charm or phone charm, a lockable box (possibly
also for Fagin) or if feeling really generous – a gold watch on a
chain.
Mr
and Mrs Sowerberry – again a top hat, with the addition of some
black fabric as a mourning hat, or some Victorian mourning jewellery,
possibly jet, depending on your budget.
Mr.
Bumble and Widow Corney like their gin, so miniatures of London Gin
might make good presents. And Widow Corney keeps a basket of kittens,
so a little figurine of a cat, or a soft toy, for her.
The
Drama Queen's Drawers has some horse brasses depicting the characters
of Fagin, Oliver, Nancy and Mr Bumble, these are vintage items to be
found in the Bottom Drawer category.
For
Oliver whatever his gift, the wrapping and presentation could be “put
in a box and tied up with a ribbon”, just as the lyric in “Who
will buy?” suggests. A locket, books, friendship bracelet,
strawberries and cream, or a love token.
For
Nancy – small pleasures.
