THAT NIGHT…
Davy; (as the Dodger) Artful Dodger: I suppose you've been walkin so long on the beak's order?
Oliver Twist: What's that?
Artful Dodger: Don't you know what a beak is?
Oliver Twist: It's a bird's mouth isn't it?
Artful Dodger: [laughs] You are green. A beak's a magistrate, where have you been all your life?
Davy was doing so well and the audience loved his as did Alister Johns.
Artful Dodger: You know what a prig is, don'tcha?
Oliver Twist: I think I do. It's a - thief. You're one, are you not?
Artful Dodger: I am. So's Charley. So's Bet. So we all are, down to the dog. And he's the downiest one of the lot.
Charley Bates: And the least given to peaching.
As the curtain fell on Davy’s first night as the Artful Dodger, everyone knew they had found someone special. This young lad from Manchester England was destined to go far. People in the audience loved watching her and even gave a standing ovation for the performance. Alister Johns wanted to keep Davy on and maybe down the road find other roles for him. He was a natural. Davy sang, danced and his improve skills were unparalleled for someone as young as he was.13 yrs old is very young but he was wise beyond his years. Davy never had any acting training or schooling of such things. Being self taught was something unheard of those days.
Alister Johns: How would you like to play The Artful Dodger for as long as the play runs and travel with us if she are invited to over theaters around England and Wales?
Davy; I’d love to Mum, dad, is it okay?
Mrs. Jones; Of courts baby. Just think, my baby boy a star!! Smiling lovingly at him
Mr. Jones; Well, if you take responsibility for our son Mr. Johns, it’s okay by us. Smiling
Oliver ran an unprecedented 34 weeks at the theater and then it moved on to other areas of England and soon would run 12 weeks in Wales and Ireland.
Mr, Jones Davy? It’s your dad, I need you to come home. Y-your mum….he breaks down on the phone.
Davy: Dad!! Dad!! He says into the phone but is met with silence. Turning to Alister Johns he tells him about the phone call he just received.
Alister Johns: You must go to them then Davy. Find out what has happened. We’ll hold the role for you. That’s a promise but your mum needs you.
Davy; T-thank you Mr. Johns. With tears in his eyes he leaves the theater and rushes home.
Mr. Jones: Davy son…your…your mum….she….she’s –very…. He cries.
Davy; Dad, what..?? he rushes into his parents bedroom and finds his mother laying in bed very weak and has oxygen over her face.
Mrs. Jones: raising her arms weakly to Davy, Sssssss…ssson….
Davy goes to her immediately and hugs her tight. Mum!! What happened? Why didn’t you tell me you were sick!!?? I love you Mum!!! Tears falling down his face.
Mrs. Jones; I…love…you…David…………with that she takes her last breath, closes her eyes and is gone.
Mr. Jones breaks down and cries at the door. Davy cries on his mothers shoulder. Dad, what was it? What took mum from me? From us? I wanted to buy her a big house!! I promised her!! He cries and Mr. Jones walks over hugging his son while they both grieve.
Mr. Jones; It was emphazyma that took her. Doctor said she needed to stop smoking we both do and, looking down. Crying. By the time the found it in her lungs it was too late. Davy she had been coughing up blood awhile and hide it from all of us. Your mother was a strong woman, a proud woman and didn’t want us to worry so she kept her own pain and illness from us all. He cries harder holding Davy in his arms.
Davy. I knew I should have stayed closer to home. I let this acting and Play thing ruin everything took everything from me from us. Time mum didn’t have, was taken because of my own stupid wants. He cried harder
Mr. Jones; NO!! That’s not true! You mum was and is so very proud of you. You are all she spoke of. She told her friends about you and all you have accomplished to this point in your life. Davy, son, you are only 14 yrs old but look at all you have done. Look at where we are, where you came from to where you are now. Your mum was so proud of you and wanted the world to know her son David Jones is an miracle boy a talented boy who has the strength, courage and endurance to handle this life and make a go of it. Get out of Manchester and have a life see the world. She loved you more than anything and so do I. We believe in you Davy. You make us proud.
Davy: Crying I promise I will make you proud and I will honor her memory in everything I do. Hugging his father.
After his mums funeral that Alister Johns helped them to afford, Davy returned to work as the Artful Dodger. Davy threw his entire being into it. Jack Wild and Davy became inseperable. They were close before but now it was even more so. Jack was given little parts on other things while Oliver was on break as was Davy. He got to appear on Coronation street. The soap opera he had watched many rehearsals for years before.
Alister Johns. Gather around everyone!! Smiling I have good news!! We are going to America!!
Davy: What??!! America!!!?? When? Why? How? He asked excitedly.
Jack. Are you daft?! America!? That’s a dream come true!!
Alister Johns; No Jacky, it’s the truth! We have been asked by Ed Sullivan himself. He saw our performance 2 nights ago while he was here in London and wants us to come to be on his show.
Davy and Jack look at each other. They are excited but still in shock. Davy tells his father who is in full support of it but wants him to be careful as America is a big place and he could get lost. Davy of course said he would.
Alister Johns; Mr. Sullivan tapes his shows in the morning and they are aired that same night. You will be on with a few big stars so don’t get big heads. Be yourselves and do your best. Alister smiles at them.
Davy; I will.
Jack: I will Mr. Johns.
The cast and crew was so excited they were on their way to America, to be on the Ed Sullivan Show they watch themselves here in the comforts of their own homes. Now, it’s a reality for them.
ED SULLIVAN SHOW FEBRUARY 9TH, 1964.
