Londoners press to save 'Oliver Twist' workhouse

To save a crumbling brick building that may have inspired Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist." are being fight by a group of Londoners.

The novelist lived down the street from the former workhouse when he was commencing his writing career. Academics say the sights and sounds of poverty likely influenced his novel about a workhouse boy who falls into London's seamy underworld.

The building's owners want to tear it down and build new apartments, but protesters hope the government will order it protected.

Historian Nick Black says it's important that London keep "some vestiges of the 18th-century world of the impoverished and the poor" and not just preserve the homes of the rich.

The U.K.'s Department for Culture, Media and Sport says it will make a decision by early March

'Oliver' to be performed at Wartburg

The musical "Oliver!" on Feb. 10-12 at Wartburg College will be present by students and community members.

William Earl directed the play which features 60 performers, 30 from the Wartburg Players and the college's music department.

Waverly-Shell Rock School District and St. Paul's Lutheran School will be represent by another 30 students.

The musical will be performed nightly at 7:30 p.m. in Neumann Auditorium.

Tickets are available in advance at the information center in the Saemann Student Center. Tickets will also be sold at the door.