Actor Ron Moody has enthralled generations with his
masterly performance as Fagin in both the stage and film
versions of Oliver! one of the great classics of British
theatre and cinema. Planning to become an academic, he
first took to the boards when a student at the London
School of Economics writing and performing in student
revues. But his comedic talent and ability to create a
string of eccentric and original characters quickly
caught the attention of West End producers, who
recognised his very special skills. Invited to appear,
and later star in a string of highly successful revues,
the course of his life was changed for ever. In this
highly original and idiosyncratic memoir he looks back
on those early days, describing in frank and fascinating
detail the twists and turns of his career, the people he
met and worked with, and the performances that led up to
Oliver!. In charting the course of his early career, Ron
casts an ever-analytical eye over his many shows, giving
piercing insights into the hard work and attention to
detail involved in creating characters, the role of
anarchy and clowning in his performances, and the nature
of comedy itself. He also reveals the conflicts and
clashes that can occur both on and off stage even in a
show as successful as Oliver!, the tensions themselves
often stimulating the actors to compete and create
something memorable as happened with Oliver!, and as he
recalls in this truly original book.
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