[mjr]

After reading both positive and negative reviews about the production on this board/press and word of mouth, I was keen to see what I would make of it.
Firstly, the set was very very clever and enjoyed some of the changes from the 1994 production. I like the minimal windows and bed representing Mr brownlows house and then the complexity of the work house and fagins den scenes. I also felt the lighting captured the mood well, particuarly with the back cloth in the evening scenes.
I did however have some problems hearing cast members sometimes, particuarly Widow corney.
The audience was pretty flat, and felt bad for Tim Laurenti who had been playing Fagin this week (Omid Djalili is on holiday this week). He was trying to get a pretty dead audience going. however i found him to be a very good Fagin. Jodie Prenger didn't seem bored and seemed to still be fresh ( as fresh as you can be a year in). Children were great, very veyr energetic and really come into there on in Fagins den.
Despite now always being able to hear members of the cast, i felt that the whole show could have had the volume turned up slightly, particuarly with the orchestra, which for me was stunning. Been a while since i have seen an orchestra that size in the west end, apart from the ROH and ENO although that as I am sure you will agrree is to be expected.
So to conclude, a very good fresh show with great set and vibrant cast. Particuarly Sarah Lark who i felt stood out.