The themes and social issues raised by Dickens are as relevant today as they were when the novel was published over one hundred and sixty years ago. The central theme is the link between poverty and crime. Beyond that it explores the way society treats its weakest members. Dickens‘ style is highly theatrical, switching between the almost documentary to the comic, from action-packed narrative to emotional drama and indeed he himself gave dramatic readings of much of OLIVER TWIST to huge audiences in Britain and the USA. TNT sweep away the sentimentality of so many versions and present the story through the eyes of Fagin as he stands on the gallows awaiting execution. The story is his last attempt at justifying his life of crime.