Oz @ Oliver - 2:30pm, September 5

So ... I went to the matinee of Oliver! yesterday, and I thought I should just give you all an update on the show.

Firstly, I saw sat in a premium seat, but paid the non-premium top price, because I only booked an hour before curtain. The view was PERFECT! Last time I was sat in the back row of the upper circle and the view of all the bridges was severely restricted. This time I was actually in the best seat in the house - row G11 or 12 (centre block on the stage right aisle): great view, plus great legroom.

The show itself was AMAHZING! Last time I saw my beloved Tamsin Carroll and Rowan Atkinson ... and I loved the former, yet not enjoying the later.

This time I saw Jodie Prenger and Omid Djalli (or however you spell his name). I loved both. Jodie was great - her chemistry with the kids was electric, and I finally got over her weird pronunciation. Omid Djalli was a VAST improvement on Rowan Atkinson. He too had a great chemistry with the kids, has a good voice and improvised all over the place. Great lines about the expenses scandal and the economic crisis that got huge laughs.

Burn Gorman was off, and we had Jay Bryce as Bill. I actually preferred him to Burn ... mostly because I could actually understand what he was saying.

Once again, I thought the choice by Ruper Goold (or was it Cameron Mackintosh) to darken this production payed off. When I saw the Mendes-directed production in Sydney in 2001/2002, I remember it not being quite as adult and mature as this production. If I was a parent, I wouldn't take my kids to this show - it's actually quite heavy stuff (domestic abuse, murder, prostitution, etc) and thankfully the cast do not shy away from the show's darker moments.

Also once again, I was reminded of Anthony Ward's genius. Is it just me or can he do no wrong?

And finally, once again I was reminded of the show's wimpish conclusion. Can someone please rewrite the final few scenes?!

Overall, it was a great performance, and I will definitely be returning fairly soon to see how Tamsin performs with Omid. Expect another update then.

Lionel Bart very cleverly placed a thin veil over the prostitution.

Although it is never actually stated, it is implied that Nancy is a prostitute. In the Fine Life Reprise, when Bill asks Nancy "Do you know who you are, and what you are?" he is subtly reminding her that she's a lowly East End prostitute and therefore should shut the fcuk up.

If not, then I seriously misunderstood the subtext of that scene.

This is one of those shows that although the scenery is so beautiful that one could go home "humming the lightbulbs", one does not because Bart wrote such infectious tunes.

I think that this show is a London show, and will remain so for a few years to come.

I am hoping however that this production goes to New York.

boyfromoz, I too saw the 2001/02 tour and have to say I hated the set (it was the actual set used at the Palladium). I much prefer the old (fellow Australian) Sean Kenny set from the sixties. Now that was clever. Have you ever seen it?

Wasn't the original London production staged at The Noel Coward Theatre because as I much as I like the current production having seen it both at the Palladium and the Drury Lane, it would be interesting seeing it done on a smaller scale but I imagine Cameron has the rights for a while.

The film is great but for some reason, Oliver has a clean cut accent which is unusual considering he lives in a workhouse.

Thanks for the review, I'm becoming more inclined to give this one a go! Does anyone know who the new Bill Sykes will be when Burn Gorman leaves? (He was promoting Wuthering Heights and said he was leaving 'soon')

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Jonwo I couldn't agree more. Why does Oliver have that accent when he has spent all of his life in the workhouse?

boyfromoz2, even more remarkable is that they got that (new) set onto the Regent stage! I saw the original (revival) staging in 1979 at the Albery (?) and the 90's version just looked beyond vulgar in comparison. Bigger isn't always better.

Sean Kennys set was a revelation in set design. A simple turntable that he turned into an amazing kaleidoscope for the eyes.
He always used turntables in 99% of the shows he designed, before and after the original 'Oliver!'.
With all the praise heaped upon him for the 'Oliver! set it was then that he was asked to help design the New London theatre which of course was way ahead of its time when it opened in 1972 but it was he who designed the changeable auditorium.
John Napier couldn't thank him enough when he came to design 'Cats' for the New London.
The last time the Sean Kenny set was seen in London was at the Aldwych for a Christmas season back in 1983. It was in a rather sorry state by then and was always breaking down and needing repairs. Part of that set was from the original production making it, at the time, over 20 years old!
I was in the national tour of that production for 3 months before it came to the Aldwych. Roy Hudd and Helen Shapiro were our stars.

Dusty! Dusty! Dusty!

Please!!!!!!

Agree with both your posts boyfromoz2 and MamasDoin'Fine!

The fact that Oliver has been extended until 2011 means anything's possible. Also I wouldn't be against Cam Mac changing his mind about casting an unknown for Mary Poppins in Australia and throwing Tamsin into the role either.

She never officially played the Baker's Wife unless you count the charity performance the Oliver cast did. LOL. Nah her name was rumoured a while back, but that was before she went to London.

Must agree with wildcat, while acting-wise Tamsin would be a wonderful fit for Mary, it is not even close to suiting her vocal style. My money for Mary Poppins is on either Octavia Baron Martin or Lucy Maunder, who played Anne in the recent Opera Australia production of A Little Night Music in Melbourne, and is currently playing Emma in the Asian Tour of Jekyll and Hyde.
Back on topic, what I wouldn't give to be able to see Tamsin as Nancy again. Her performance in the Australian tour was so wonderful.

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Slowly but surely taking over the West End!

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