Handcoloured toy theatre character plate for the play Oliver Twist. The sheet numbered '3' is printed with figures representing key characters from the play including Bill Sikes, Mr Brownlow, Fagin and Oliver. The huge popularity of Charles Dickens's novel Oliver Twist inspired playwrights to immediately adapt the book for the stage. By the end of 1838 three different dramatic productions of Oliver Twist were being performed in London’s theatres. The enduring popularity of the play and novel is reflected in the publication of this original toy theatre version by John Redington between 1866 and 1876.
