Living in the twilight world of Victorian London. Where he controlled a gang of children, who where often orphans or runaways with nowhere else to go. He offered shelter and companionship and in return he opened the door for them to a life of crime. This would end either in an early death at the end of a rope or in transportation to Australia. Here is a character that Charles Dickens hated, his name was Fagan. He was portrayed as a coward, sneaky around getting others to do his dirty work. Unless others of course it was he that was being bullied by others more frightening.
It is interesting that Dickens who today would be seen as a reformer, portrayed Fagin as a Jew, a byword for people who were not to be trusted and treated as outcasts. Antisemitism was alive and well then. Dickens also made sure that he came to a bad end, hanged in Newgate Prison. He would have had no time for the more cuddly character of the musical.
For my part I envisioned a character in the shadows sneaking around until suddenly! there he was. Like the character in pantomime, he’s behind you, only perhaps a bit more deadly. I have no doubt that in Dickens’ mind he was a killer and a disgusting human being. I have no doubt that in Dickens’ mind stealing was a worse crime than the murder of other criminals. Bear in mind though that in Victorian times the price of life could be very cheap.
I have again used the wind quartet. It has sounds that can be a little spooky and creepy. It also has an earthy sound you would associate, with the dark underworld of crime. As well as before, it is a section of the Orchestra I want to better acquaint myself with.
Again The final music is straight out of Muscore and I am pleased with the results.
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