Book, music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart

These days there are two types of musical theatre experiences. The first is when you see a production you may know about but has no definitive version. It is quite a different experience however when you have seen a film several times. The film version of Oliver! is so complete in my memory that I am able to point out all the miniscule differences without having re-watched the film. Yet, for most of the show, I was able to put the film out of my head and enjoy it all.

Some of the sets were amazing. The entire second half of the first act is held in the thieves' kitchen. It is fortunate that this set allows the action to move up above to the street, which is well designed and well utilized. Some of the other sets, such as the undertaker's parlour, are much more simplistic, but serve their purpose well enough for the time they are on stage.

Oliver! was beautifully cast. John Waters as Fagin and Tamsin Carroll as Nancy were both amazing. The kids playing major roles that night all gave very good performances. Keegan Joyce played Oliver, and clearly benefited from his experience playing the role in Sydney. The Artful Dodger oddly seemed a less important character than in the film, but I don't blame that on Ben Nicholas. Fiona Lacey as Bet didn't have much to do, but gave a good impression none the less.

Musically, the show was very impressive. Consider Yourself did suffer from comparison to the grand scale of the film version, but Who Will Buy was staged in a way that managed to compete with the sweeping long shots and huge cast. The show contained two of the most impressive solo moments I've seen on stage, with John Waters's Reviewing the Situation and especially Tamsin Carroll's reprise of As Long as He Needs Me both rivaling Anthony Warlow's Impossible Dream, and If I Can't Love Her from Beauty and the Beast, which I saw done by Spencer McLaren.

Christina's role in Oliver! was small. She cropped up as various characters in the chorus, but did get a small chance to shine as the Rose Seller in Who Will Buy. And in the corniest sentence that I've ever written anywhere, shine she did.

Oliver!
IMG and Cameron Mackintosh
31st October 2001 - 6th February 2002
Regent Theatre
Review of Wednesday 4th December 2002 (Evening)
From Stalls CC 29

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