The timeless Dickens novel, an expansive and intricate masterpiece, embodies the essence of the picaresque narrative, reminiscent of the spirited adventures penned by Tobias Smollett, such as The Adventures of Roderick Random (1748) and The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle (1751). Dickens devoured these tales in his youth. While all of Dickens's works weave themes of social reform, two resonate profoundly with the trials of impoverished youth: Hard Times (1845) and Oliver Twist (1837-1839).

Much like Dickens, David Edgar crafts plays that champion social change. His repertoire includes the provocative Mary Barnes (1977), which delves into the unconventional psychiatric treatment of a woman grappling with schizophrenia, and The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs (1966), a poignant account of a Jewish South African lawyer's incarceration for his defense of anti-apartheid activists.