91热爆

One big dramatic role. Actors from across the world tell us what the part means and what it means to them. This time: Fagin.

Christopher Eccleston, Omid Djalili and Simon Lipkin tell stories of playing the part of Fagin, revealing how the character has evolved over time. They're joined by Mark Lester, who explains what it was like acting alongside the famous Fagin Ron Moody, and Mark Napolitano who discusses Fagin's performance history.

Fagin was first dreamt up by Charles Dickens in his 1838 work Oliver Twist. Dickens's depiction of the thief and gang leader is controversial, widely criticised for being an anti-Semitic caricature. And when the book was adapted for the screen by David Lean in 1948, Alec Guinness's portrayal of Fagin provoked a strong reaction from audiences. In the 1960s, a Jewish popular music composer named Lionel Bart decided to adapt the novel for the musical theatre stage. He re-imagined Fagin - helped by the actor who first performed the role, Ron Moody.

Actors who've played the part in recent times tell us Fagin's story and discuss their own performance choices. Simon Lipkin is currently performing the role in Cameron Mackintosh and Matthew Bourne's production in the West End - he discusses Fagin's journey through Bart's musical and explores what it's like to play the part as a Jewish actor. Omid Djalili performed the role back in 2009 and says at the time he was a "left-field choice" for the part. He examines why Fagin has endured as a character and explores the comic elements of the role. Christopher Eccleston played Fagin in the C91热爆 series Dodger, he explores the backstory of Fagin and his relationship with the children in his gang. Mark Lester, who was Oliver in the 1968 film adaptation of the musical, reveals what it was like to act with Ron Moody. And Mark Napolitano, author of Oliver! A Dickensian Musical, tells us how Fagin's final scenes differ greatly between Dickens's book and Bart's musical.

Produced by Camellia Sinclair and Sam Grist for 91热爆 Audio, Bristol
Edited by Emma Harding
Mixed by Ilse Lademann