Our homeschool attended the Children's Theater performance of Oliver Twist. This was one of the best plays that I have ever seen. I don't think it is humanly possible for me to bring this story and history to life the way live drama has.

The set was simple and there were seven actors. Through the wonder of human imagination you are transported to the early days of the industrial age in London--a time when a person might die in the cruel conditions of a workhouse.

The young orphan Oliver is literally born into the gloomy workhouse. In an unlikely "twist" of fate, Oliver's mother dies at his birth. She is overwhelmed with grief since her husband has died unexpectedly.

Oliver's mother was not a poor woman. In her grief her health has become run down. It appears that she is wandering the streets in this sickly stupor when she gives birth to the boy.

In the play, you never see his mother. She is dreamed in your mind as hear the workhouse bosses claim her jewelry and bemoan the fact that they have an infant to raise. The story picks up as Oliver is a young boy employed by this "foster family"--and I use the term family loosely.

As the story goes, you understand why it is regarded as a classic. Tears welled in my eyes as young Oliver learns to live on the streets. Nancy is his friend who tells Oliver of giving her entire childhood to these hooligans who prey on helpless children. She says little about them to Oliver but resolutely defends him against them. "Leave him alone!" she screams, "You made him a thief today! Isn't that enough!" She ends up laying down her life to help Oliver escape from this cruel life which has destroyed many.

As it often happens in the classics, truth prevails, the good is rewarded and evil is punished. The lessons learned are timeless truths that can work their way into any lesson plan. We are studying ancient Greece but even in this huge leap of time, the same truth still stands and often leads to very interesting discussion!

This heart-wrenching story is even more so when you realize that the opportunities to expose students to live drama are dwindling every year. The playhouse was only half full for the show we attended.

I am not begging you to entertain your kids. I don't believe this is just entertainment. It is a poignant way to teach valuable lessons. The workhouses were and are a fact. Enslavement and oppression of people, especially children, remains a fact in our world today. It takes people who have passion, like Charles Dickens, to make the public aware of such injustices. The word compassion means "to suffer with." You can't change the whole world but you can influence your corner. If godly people aren't concerned about the situations of others "the government is!"

Drama is creative arts. Look around you and see if you think that God believes art is very important. If you are still not sure, read the account beginning Exodus 25 where God gives specific instruction to the artisans and craftsmen in the construction of the Tabernacle. We use our creative nature to express our praise and worship to Creator God.

I have a shallow literary background myself. A lot of times I am learning right along with my children. Don't let lack of personal knowledge about classics keep you away. You can't ask for a more exciting beginning for in depth study.

Some of you may be concerned about whether or not stories are presented as they were written. It has been my experience that most are close interpretations of classic or historical material. Occasionally, some have a social agenda but that isn't often evident if you aren't looking for it. Language may be updated to convey the essence of the story more clearly but you won't find the unnecessary and inappropriate trash language that Hollywood so often adds.

It would cost $18 for me to pay for the three of us to see this play. That is not cheap but it is not expensive--it is matter of what I choose to value.

I urge you to incorporate live classic, historical and folk drama into your children's education. If the ticket price is the problem you and your students can get in free if you usher the performance. Several homeschool families are doing that. If you are not on the Children's Theater mailing list, call Roz or Teri at 725-4531 to sign up.

As an aside, for more on "Christianity and the Arts" attend a workshop at the NCHE Conference in May on this subject. Charlie and Ruth Jones, of Peculiar People have a class in Session #4 on Friday, and Jeff Baldwin covers it in Session #9 on Saturday evening.