Film, Theatre and Television
Oliver Twist (1922 film)|1922 film]], Lon Chaney, Sr. played Fagin. Alec Guinness performed the role in the 1948 film version directed by David Lean. Guinness' performance was so controversial that the film's U.S. release was delayed for three years on charges of being anti-Smitic by the Anti-Demation League of B'nai B'rith and the New York Board of Rabbis. The fil was finally released in the United States in 1951, with seven miutes of profile shots and other parts of Guinness's performance cut
by actor Gary Farmer.
In the 2007 BBC television adaptation Fagin is played by Timothy Spall. Contrary to his appearance in the novel, he is beardless and overweight in this version.
In December 2008, Oliver! was revived at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London with Rowan Atkinson playing the character. This role was taken over by Omid Djalili in July 2009. Griff Rhys Jones took over the role from Omid Djalili in December 2009. He was succeeded by Russ Abbot in June 2010.
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