'The fact is, there was considerable difficulty in inducing Oliver to take upon himself the office of respiration - a troublesome practice...'

Through the immortal characters of Oliver, Nancy, Bill Sikes, Fagin, the Artful Dodger and Mr Bumble, Dickens mercilessly sends up the hypocrisy of nineteenth-century life - the high-minded reformism of the intellectuals and the snobbery of those in power.

John Wells was a well-known actor and journalist whose television career included Tinker, Tailor Soldier Spy; Rumpole of the Bailey; Anyone for Dennis andYes, Prime Minister.  He also directed many operas and operettas include The Mikado and Candida.  He died in 1998.