What the Dickens is going on?

12:53pm Friday 5th September 2008

Despite having learnt thousands upon thousands of lines in his career, Ron Moody doesn’t have the best of memories.

Best known for his Oscar nominated role of Fagin in 1968’s Oliver, Moody has starred in hundreds of theatre productions, musicals, films and television programmes - but he hasn’t always got them spot on.

"It’s a bit like the Roman Emporium when you sent Christians in to be eaten by the lions.”

Ron Moody on talent shows

“I have the worst memory I have ever heard of,” the 84-year-old said.

“In my first public appearance on stage the authors changed the lines very late on in the day not realising it takes me about two weeks to take it all in.

“I got to the end and was left wordless so I went off stage and read the prompt book before going back out and finishing the piece. I went off to rather confused applause.

“I have to do a speed run every night before I go on because I just don’t have a retentive memory.

“Most of the actors I know paraphrase, they get pretty near but make them up as they go. I prefer to get them exact out of respect for the author.”

Moody is starring in a one-man show based on a book by film composer Laurie Johnson on the funny side of Charles Dickens - luckily it involves a lot of reading so Moody shouldn’t have any problems with his lines.

“Laurie said he thought it would be a good one man show and as I have been associated with Dickens for about 45 years it’s a good thing for me to do,” he said.

“It includes all these larger than life incredibly well written characters who are all a little odd. Some of them I had never heard of but they are very funny pieces.”

One thing Moody is against is the influx of talent shows in the modern world.

“It’s so embarrassing it’s disgraceful,” he said.

“It’s a private moment your audition, you don’t show it in public then cry on film when rejected, you either deserve a job or you don’t.

“It’s a bit like the Roman Emporium when you sent Christians in to be eaten by the lions.”

Ron Moody, Here’s Richness, Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, September 17, 2.30pm, £10. Call 020 8688 9291 or visit fairfield.co.uk.