Les Misérables - Sondheim Theatre

[Deleted]

Lucy O'Byrne will be really interesting as Fantine.

[chrismis]

Nov 15, 2016 15:18:53 GMT chrismis said:

Nov 15, 2016 14:36:15 GMT Kim_Bahorel said:

Gutted about Bayjey but it does mean I'll still get to see him in the show as cover. I haven't heard Simon Gleeson sing but please tell me he better than Peter.

I'm not impressed by his performance of Bring him Home on the BroadwayWorld.com clip I've just watched. Lots of flat notes. Adam would have been my choice too. Superb vocals and acting every time.

Just found a better video of Simon Gleeson singing Bring him Home on YouTube from the Australian production. He sounds much better on this one. Must have been having an off day in Manila!

[zak97]

Charlotte taking over as Cosette doesn't surprise me, nor does Paul Wilkins returning. Hollie, however, I wasn't really expecting. Had she been in the cast longer I could have seen it coming. I haven't seen Hollie, what is she like? Does her performance almost suggest that it was inevitable she would get the promotion?

[Kim_Bahorel]

They are missing an ensemble girl there is no one announced for 1st cover Eponine track. If Josie moves up then 2nd cover track.

[Kim_Bahorel]

Nov 15, 2016 16:32:05 GMT zak97 said:

Charlotte taking over as Cosette doesn't surprise me, nor does Paul Wilkins returning. Hollie, however, I wasn't really expecting. Had she been in the cast longer I could have seen it coming. I haven't seen Hollie, what is she like? Does her performance almost suggest that it was inevitable she would get the promotion?

Shes alright I mean I wouldn't pegged her for lead just yet. Maybe in another 6 months where she had time to develope.

[indis]

with Peter leaving Les Mis could this mean he will take over as Phantom from Ben next spring?

[Deleted]

Losing track with Les Mis. Isn't the main cast change in June? I know a couple of principals on different contracts but seems to be most of them now.

Do they change the souvenir brochure more than once a year?

[Kim_Bahorel]

Nov 15, 2016 20:43:56 GMT @sharpe12 said:

Losing track with Les Mis. Isn't the main cast change in June? I know a couple of principals on different contracts but seems to be most of them now.

Do they change the souvenir brochure more than once a year?

Its June thats were the main one. Last cast year June15 - June 16 I got 4 Different programs. The picture books will stay the same with the cast that started June 16.

[Kim_Bahorel]

Nov 15, 2016 19:59:57 GMT indis said:

with Peter leaving Les Mis could this mean he will take over as Phantom from Ben next spring?

I thought the same thing. But I'm not much of a fan of Peter if he does it I'll go an see. I want to see a Luke who is a swing in the show but not while Ben is Phantom.

[Deleted]

Nov 16, 2016 7:01:34 GMT Kim_Bahorel said:

Nov 15, 2016 20:43:56 GMT @sharpe12 said:

Losing track with Les Mis. Isn't the main cast change in June? I know a couple of principals on different contracts but seems to be most of them now.

Do they change the souvenir brochure more than once a year?

Its June thats were the main one. Last cast year June15 - June 16 I got 4 Different programs. The picture books will stay the same with the cast that started June 16.

Thanks. Yes, thought was June. This seems more than usual for a mid year change. I guess two of them going to Miss Saigon is a factor. 

[daisypages]

It doesn't look like Peter will step in for Ben as Phantom seeing as he tweeted hours ago that he's apparently heading home.

[Deleted]

Just found this video video of Alexandra Burke singing "On my own". I think she nails this!! Bear in mind this was before she did her WE debut in The Bodyguard so she wasn't used to singing theatre. 

I doubt she'd ever do Eponine as she's too famous for a smaller part like that and would do something like Dreamgirls instead but she'd be a good choice if they did another concert version or film etc. 

[theatremadness]

Nov 23, 2016 22:16:29 GMT @westendlover said:

Just found this video video of Alexandra Burke singing "On my own". I think she nails this!! Bear in mind this was before she did her WE debut in The Bodyguard so she wasn't used to singing theatre. 

I doubt she'd ever do Eponine as she's too famous for a smaller part like that and would do something like Dreamgirls instead but she'd be a good choice if they did another concert version or film etc. 

Ah, I was there that night!! I remember thinking that she wasn't amazing (breath control etc etc), but certainly wasn't terrible by any stretch. And it was for Children In Need so didn't feel it appropriate to start being hugely critical of her, she did great job and exactly like you say, she hadn't entered into the world of theatre as of yet!

[Deleted]

theatremadness

I agree with you about breath control etc but I let that go considering at that time she was used to singing pop songs in arenas and not hard, musical songs. 

I think Alexandra has come so far in terms of theatre and I truly hope she continue she doing musicals!

[Being Alive]

Nov 23, 2016 22:16:29 GMT @westendlover said:

Just found this video video of Alexandra Burke singing "On my own". I think she nails this!! Bear in mind this was before she did her WE debut in The Bodyguard so she wasn't used to singing theatre. 

I doubt she'd ever do Eponine as she's too famous for a smaller part like that and would do something like Dreamgirls instead but she'd be a good choice if they did another concert version or film etc. 

she'd be AWFUL! I cannot understand why people think she is good in Musicals. She was dire in Bodyguard, as bad in Sister Act, and is COMPLETELY unsuited to Dreamgirls. Her voice is far too limited in terms of range

[Deleted]

Being Alive

That's  REALLY harsh and rude!!!! 

Okay Alexandra might not be your cup of tea but there's no need to express your feelings like that. For all you know her or a colleague at Sister Act could read this board and see that comment and tell her and how awful would she feel then? That she goes on stage every night and works her socks off performing and pleasing the people who have come to watch her in a show just to hear comments like that!! It's easy for you to comment things like that but you don't perform in shows every night for thousands of people?! 

You seem to have something against some celebrities in musicals and I'm not sure why? Fair enough but writing like that about a celebrity isn't kind

[d'James]

I think that's what the board is for. I don't see anything wrong in the way it was expressed. If she reads this board, she has to take the rough with the smooth. If one of her colleagues told her, then they're not a very nice person.

[talkstageytome]

I really don't feel the need to see celebrities on the west end left right and centre tbh. Not that they can't be good because obviously there have been lots of examples of stunt casting working out well (Memphis comes to mind). But I see a lot of people saying stuff like 'they were good...for a pop singer/soap star/reality tv person' and in my eyes that makes no sense. They should be on par with the rest of the cast, not just servicable.

Anyway, went off on a tangent there...


I saw Alexandra in Sister Act and she was fine, but I don't think Eponine would be a good fit for her at all.

[Deleted]

I liked Alexandra alot in The Bodyguard... but lets be honest, Les Mis is hardly needing to star cast at the minute... before the film came out, sure, but not now... it can run on its own merit of being a legendary show now.

[Being Alive]

This board is for expressing opinions. There is plenty of celebrity stunt casting I love - Beverley Knight in Memphis/Bodyguard, Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella and many others. I just don't happen to think that Alexandra is a particularly good singer or actress.

My main problem with 'stunt' casting is that there are plenty of insanely talented, trained performers, who train for this exact purpose, who can do it unquestionably better, and don't get a look in because they are not a name. That's my issue.

[ali973]

Nov 24, 2016 13:03:17 GMT Being Alive said:

My main problem with 'stunt' casting is that there are plenty of insanely talented, trained performers, who train for this exact purpose, who can do it unquestionably better, and don't get a look in because they are not a name. That's my issue.

This issue is getting old and has been repeated to death for decades now. Alexandra is not the best or worst star casting. She has done relatively well and she sells AND delivers. You may not love the work she does, but she does not under deliver. Would she be good for Les Miz? No. But she would be just fine for light musicals such as sister act, or a show where she is playing a singer, like Memphis or The Bodyguard. 

[Deleted]

Nov 24, 2016 16:15:15 GMT ali973 said:

Nov 24, 2016 13:03:17 GMT Being Alive said:

My main problem with 'stunt' casting is that there are plenty of insanely talented, trained performers, who train for this exact purpose, who can do it unquestionably better, and don't get a look in because they are not a name. That's my issue.

This issue is getting old and has been repeated to death for decades now. Alexandra is not the best or worst star casting. She has done relatively well and she sells AND delivers. You may not love the work she does, but she does not under deliver. Would she be good for Les Miz? No. But she would be just fine for light musicals such as sister act, or a show where she is playing a singer, like Memphis or The Bodyguard. 

I agree with this so much.

Alexandra sells really well - she has been selling Sister Act INCREDIBLY well!! She also gives 110% to each performance, I know that for sure.

I never said Alexandra should go into Les Mis full time I just said I thought she sang that song well, the part is too small for her anyway. Do remember that was recorders before she had done any live theatre.

The parts she has played so far are very suited to her. She would be very good in the Memphis tour or as Deena in Dreamgirls when Amber leaves.

P.S To the people who said star casting takes away ArtsEds students, star casting for certain shows can be done SO well and it sells the show well too. I personally am 100% for celeb casting IF it is done right

[Being Alive]

Yes George, if star casting works, I'm all for it. And yes, Alexandra may be selling tours well because she is a 'name'. I just don't happen to think she is particularly suited to musical theatre roles.

I'm interested, why do you keep saying Eponine is 'too small' of a role in Les Mis? Its one of the biggest female roles in the show, and has one of the most famous musical theatre songs EVER written?

[Deleted]

Nov 24, 2016 20:32:27 GMT Being Alive said:

Yes George, if star casting works, I'm all for it. And yes, Alexandra may be selling tours well because she is a 'name'. I just don't happen to think she is particularly suited to musical theatre roles.

I'm interested, why do you keep saying Eponine is 'too small' of a role in Les Mis? Its one of the biggest female roles in the show, and has one of the most famous musical theatre songs EVER written?

Names don't always sell shows otherwise there would never be a show closing early. 

I don't mean Eponine is a small role in the musical but I mean it is a small rolefor someone very famous like Alexandra Burke to play full time. Les Mis isn't really a show for celebrities as there are so many main characters and there's isn't one to have a celebrity in really. That's what I mean, I don't mean it is a smaller role in the musical as there are SO many good MT stars I can see who would be amazing in Les Mis 

[Deleted]

Nov 24, 2016 19:02:32 GMT @westendlover said:

Nov 24, 2016 16:15:15 GMT ali973 said:

This issue is getting old and has been repeated to death for decades now. Alexandra is not the best or worst star casting. She has done relatively well and she sells AND delivers. You may not love the work she does, but she does not under deliver. Would she be good for Les Miz? No. But she would be just fine for light musicals such as sister act, or a show where she is playing a singer, like Memphis or The Bodyguard. 

I agree with this so much.

Alexandra sells really well - she has been selling Sister Act INCREDIBLY well!! She also gives 110% to each performance, I know that for sure.

I never said Alexandra should go into Les Mis full time I just said I thought she sang that song well, the part is too small for her anyway. Do remember that was recorders before she had done any live theatre.

The parts she has played so far are very suited to her. She would be very good in the Memphis tour or as Deena in Dreamgirls when Amber leaves.

P.S To the people who said star casting takes away ArtsEds students, star casting for certain shows can be done SO well and it sells the show well too. I personally am 100% for celeb casting IF it is done right

... the awkward moment when you don't know whether to break it to George that Amber doesn't play Deena.

Also, how do you know for sure gives 100% at every single performance haha?

And the role isn't too small for her. It is one of the biggest roles in Les Mis and possibly one of the most sought after in London in terms of being well-known. Grizabella is a 20 minute role and Beverley and Nicole have both played it to great reviews, with Nicole walking away with an Olivier nomination for it!