You're right...it IS implied in the original novel. There's a nifty book called "The Friendly Dickens" by Norrie Epstein (she also wrote "The Friendly Shakespeare") where she goes into Fagin's implied pedophilia. Because of the times, it had to be heavily couched in euphemism.

As the above poster said, whether this comes out in the musical version or not depends on the production. Like Les Mis, some Oliver! productions choose to bring out aspects of the novel more clearly.

(While we're on the subject of "aspects of the novel coming out in the show"--just look at Oliver's lines "Where is she/Who I close my eyes to see?" If you were listening to that song out of context, you'd think it was about a potential romantic partner. But if you're more familiar with the novel, you'll realize it's Oliver's primal, subconscious memory of the mother who died giving birth to him, who only had time to kiss him on the forehead before she died. There's this whole scene in the novel where he has a strong reaction to her portrait.)

in the musical i wouldnt look at Fagin as a perv, just as a guy who uses young boys for their pickpocketing abilities.
although......
ive cracked up afew times hearing
"ev'rythings clear, attack the rear... have no fear, attack the the rear"
xD sorry if that's offensive and innapropriate, but its just too great...

I was in Oliver! and I don't believe Fagin was represented that way. He was creepy but not perverted. Although in some of the Oliver!s I've seen he was....

no I don't think so I have seen this show so many times and I have never had that message sent a cross all it seems it hes just out for the money and takes in poor boys to do it . maybe if there was to be a play of Oliver twist taken from the Novel then this might be pro traded a bit stronger. as for a kids show I would say that is a show for everyone as it has different levels one that applies to kids and one for adults. Kind of like the film Shrek. so I would say that it is a show for all and I love it. were is love got me thought my grade 2 singing exam xxx