716 posts
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Post by indis on Jan 26, 2018 19:26:40 GMT
Fantastic news!!! Can’t wait to go back if that comes true. Can you give any more info? Sorry that was all that was said. Don't know anyone in the cast well enough to ask them to elaborate. oooooh exciting! Hope there are rumours soon. Will be in London in july and now i am curious who i will be seeing |
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 27, 2018 19:36:52 GMT
I saw the longest running musical of all time again this afternoon, when Les Miserables opened at the Barbican just over 32 years ago, the critics labelled it “The Glums” and “Turning a Mountain of a Novel, to a Molehill of a Musical”, clearly the critics got it wrong, as the millions who took Les Miserables to their heart will testify. Likewise there have been many of these fans that have labelled this “The Greatest Musical of all Time”, clearly they are also wrong, as it is definitely a lot more than that.
As I said in the first paragraph it has played over 32 years and still after all this time, it gets a full standing ovation for the final bow, even from those people wiping their tears away, were standing and it is possible I could be one of these people.
Lillian Donnelly normally leaves me cold, I didn’t think he could deliever Valjean vocally, didn’t think his voice was powerful enough, so today was like a breath of fresh air, he was magnificent, likewise David Thraxton was Carly Stenson was a complete surprise, Paul Wilkins as Marius, Steven Meo as Thénardier and Jacqueline Tate as Madame Thernadier were all great.
I payed more than I wanted to nearly £90, which is completely out of character for me, but I can still say it is worth every single penny.
Les Miserables is clearly a one of a kind of musical, the best musical ever written, not one wasted word in the entire score.
5 Stars
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Post by djp on Jan 31, 2018 1:12:55 GMT
So, to expand on my earlier point, I thought the show was in excellent shape tonight. I've now seen the show 12 times and it's easily one of the strongest I've seen. Adam Bayjou is an exceptional Valjean. I've been fortunate to see him a few times ever since his debut week, and he's really grown into the part over the last few years. Sure, he looks a bit on the young side but the way he ages with the character is brilliant, both in his acting and his vocals. I really like how he controls his voice at a softer level generally, but unleashes the power when it's needed. He really does deserve to be the lead and I'm sure he will be one day. Given that he's young I don't expect it to happen just yet, but I'd love him to get the promotion or even better lead the tour next year. Really liked David Thaxton as Javert. Took a little bit of time to warm to him, I think he's a little bit passive, in the sense that at first glance it looks like he's just standing there - some of his acting nuances are so subtle, especially with his eye movements and facial expressions, but I came to really appreciate this. Also very strong vocally, his soliloquy and subsequent suicide being one of the most powerful I've seen. Didn't quite reach the God-like heights of Jeremy Secomb (with Tam Mutu not far behind) but he was streets and streets ahead of Hadyn Tee. Somewhere in between, alongside Hadley Fraser. Carley Stenson is a really great Fantine. I liked her when I saw her previously, but felt she had more to give...tonight, she gave it her all. Really really strong vocally, and I enjoyed her acting choices. A solid performance. Karis Jack as Eponine...sadly the less said about her, the better. I don't like criticising performers who are most likely giving it their all, but she was really poor. Vocals okay at best (some weird accent choices going on during On My Own), but the acting was poor for me. The facial gurning, screwing up of the eyes, bopping around, and waddling like a penguin chav...I don't know, it just wasn't right for me. After seeing the show at the end of this cast's first week I passed it off as her still settling in, and really hoped that she would have come on leaps and bounds by now, but sadly for me she's gone backwards. Would be very surprised if she stays at Cast Change. Charlotte Kennedy as Cosette I've seen before and I really like - it's not the best of parts but I think she does a really good job with it. Steven Meo is one of the vest Thénardiers that I've seen. He can actually sing for a start, which is more than can be said for most of the recent ones. I like that he doesn't just turn it into a panto baddie. You actual feel that he is an evil nasty man, rather than being so cartoonish that he's just some light comic relief amongst all the depression. Jacqueline Tate as Mrs T didn't impress me as much this time. I didn't think her delivery was as good as it was last time so some of her lines didn't land as we'll as they could have done. I miss Katy Secombe! Great performances from Paul Wilkins as Marius and Hyoie O'Grady as Enjolras, standing out in their solo moments. Packed house, and a well deserved standing ovation at the end. 5 stars from me tonight! Glad to hear you enjoyed it! I think Carley is a great Fantine and I'm quite picky with Fantines. I think a few of them have improved since the first time I saw this cast in June but I have to agree on Karis. What's with the cockney accent? It also makes no sense she is black when her parents are white and she's white as a child! Are we supposed to not notice? The Thenardiers used to be cockney. It helped because that identified them as a group outside society- and reinforced the point that Eponine is doomed by her parents. It makes no sense though having a cockney daughter( or one from any other region) if you have made ma and pa something else - because you want to be PC , and don't want to suggest cockneys are criminal . Wierd, repressed, abused, reclusive. and criminal Eponine, all make logical sense- look at her parents - its just that some are really bad choices for a character that the audience needs to like and care for. The best Eponines I think have been the positive attractive ones - who would have got Marius but for their backgrounds, and the more repressed ones - who show the inner qualities that ought to succeed. If Eponine isn't likeable, or unlikeable , no one will care if she gets shot. The wonder is that they should know which versions don't work- as they have tried unlikeable , and street Eponine before. And it matters because Les Mis needs Eponine to be liked, and to induce tears, not relief, when she dies, just as it needs a reaction to the other 3 big deaths.You can misfire on teen students, insipid Cosetets, dogged but dull Javerts, puny, or bizarre, Valjeans, and Enjolrases with no apparent leadership ability, but you need Eponine and Valjean to get tears- and to nail their big numbers. |
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Post by stageyninja83 on Jan 31, 2018 6:49:57 GMT
Went back to the show last night to try and catch Killian and David on together & managed to get lucky with a cover Eponine as well. Oh what a difference it made! Alice was such a massive improvement over Karis last week. I actually found myself shedding a tear at little fall of rain, in my book that's the sign of a well cast Eponine! So annoyed that covers aren't allowed to post holiday dates as I'd definitely have gone back to see this combination of cast.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Feb 13, 2018 18:32:47 GMT
Saw the show last night, having not seen it since my friend left the cast 2 casts ago. I have to say, the set is looking incredibly dated and whilst my view from E of the Dress was great (as was the leg room!), I could see all sorts of things and people flapping about behind the set. The costumes lack impact and the props look flimsy. This show is really, really tired physically - but the material and the execution make up for it.
Cast-wise, I wasn’t blown away by anyone other than Steven Meo as Thernadier. Hands down the best take on that character I’ve ever seen (including Matt Lucas’ stint), he was simply sublime! First time I’ve walked away having been really impressed by a Thernardier. Jaqueline Tate was good too, although her comedy felt VERY rehearsed.
Karis Jack was disappointing as Eponine - she appeared to not want to be there. Rushing her lines and throwing away all of her notes. It’s a no from me, I’m afraid.
Adam Bayjou did a great job as Valjean, I think he’s a really solid understudy but don’t think he could pull off the lead - I think he lacks that extra oomph in star quality that I personally need from a Valjean (thinking of someone like Drew Sarich for example). Don’t get me wrong, Adam has a phenomenal rocky voice which means his big notes have a lot of welly, and equally he controls the lighter stuff well - but he lacks that icing on the cake that (IMO) a lead Valjean needs.
As a singer, it pains me to hear singers breathe too much and take odd phrasing - and most of the leads had very odd phrasing, breathing in the middle of sentences and fiddling with the rhythm of some of the notes. LM isn’t a pop show so shouldn’t be treated like one. Stick to the score and breathe properly, please. Surprised the M.D. hasn’t picked up on that one.
Finally (and most importantly) - the orchestrations are absolutely TO DIE FOR. The show was played absolutely beautifully. The orchestrations sounded fresh and nuanced, the orchestra themselves were sharp and crisp and the overall sound was phenomenal.
Hamilton, Wicked: take note of this - I could actually hear the actors AND the orchestra. At the same time. With perfect balance. And it made such a difference.
I’ll be going back again for definite, after cast change.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Feb 13, 2018 18:36:36 GMT
Also - I couldn’t connect with Shaq Taylor’s Javert. He shout-sang too much for me, I just totally switch off if i’m shouted at and he seemed to SHOUT the most ranDOM sylLAbles of a WORD in a sentence.
Edited to critique the correct actor *facepalm*
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270 posts
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Post by stageyninja83 on Feb 13, 2018 19:08:13 GMT
Also - I couldn’t connect with David Thaxton’s Javert. He shout-sang too much for me, I just totally switch off if i’m shouted at and he seemed to SHOUT the most ranDOM sylLAbles of a WORD in a sentence. David was off yesterday.....you would have seen the understudy. |
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Post by andrew on Feb 13, 2018 23:45:28 GMT
Hamilton, Wicked: take note of this - I could actually hear the actors AND the orchestra. At the same time. With perfect balance. And it made such a difference. Maybe we sat in different locations, but I was really impressed by Hamiltons sound mix. It's arguably too loud (although I've always thought musicals are allowed to blow your pants off every so often) but balanced alright. I'm glad anyway that Les Mis has got this right. They'e only had 13 years to practice...  |
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Post by kimbahorel on Feb 14, 2018 6:10:20 GMT
Also - I couldn’t connect with David Thaxton’s Javert. He shout-sang too much for me, I just totally switch off if i’m shouted at and he seemed to SHOUT the most ranDOM sylLAbles of a WORD in a sentence. Did you see the show Monday or Saturday because Shaq was Javert on Monday. A friend was around the venue and saw he was on. |
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Post by singularsensation10 on Feb 14, 2018 8:14:44 GMT
Also - I couldn’t connect with David Thaxton’s Javert. He shout-sang too much for me, I just totally switch off if i’m shouted at and he seemed to SHOUT the most ranDOM sylLAbles of a WORD in a sentence. David was off yesterday.....you would have seen the understudy. Wow - not like me to miss something like that!! I’m almost certain they didn’t mention that in the announcement! Just checked the website - yup, definitely didn’t see David Thaxton! How dumb do I feel right now! |
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Post by singularsensation10 on Feb 14, 2018 8:16:17 GMT
Hamilton, Wicked: take note of this - I could actually hear the actors AND the orchestra. At the same time. With perfect balance. And it made such a difference. Maybe we sat in different locations, but I was really impressed by Hamiltons sound mix. It's arguably too loud (although I've always thought musicals are allowed to blow your pants off every so often) but balanced alright. I'm glad anyway that Les Mis has got this right. They'e only had 13 years to practice... For Hamilton I sat at the back of the stalls and mid-Dress circle for the same show (swapped at the interval) and it was not only painfully quiet, but the mix was all off. Hopefully you went after me and they’ve sorted it! |
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Post by galinda on Apr 5, 2018 8:35:05 GMT
Has the cast change date been announced yet?
I assume it is either Saturday 9 June or 16 June?
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Post by richey on Apr 5, 2018 9:27:20 GMT
Has the cast change date been announced yet? I assume it is either Saturday 9 June or 16 June? I'm assuming you meant to post this in the other Les Mis thread? Hard to change the cast on a tour that hasn't started yet! |
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Post by galinda on Apr 5, 2018 10:47:06 GMT
Oops sorry, just searched les mis and posted in the first thread assuming it was the right one!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 5, 2018 13:05:35 GMT
Posts moved from tour thread to this one.
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Post by Steffi on Apr 5, 2018 14:10:57 GMT
I’ll answer again here then. :-)
Cast change is 9th June.
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Post by kimbahorel on Apr 5, 2018 15:40:05 GMT
This is interesting
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Post by galinda on Apr 11, 2018 15:09:17 GMT
I’ll answer again here then. :-) Cast change is 9th June. Thank you  |
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Post by daisy24601 on Apr 11, 2018 15:24:11 GMT
I'm going tonight, I hope Thaxton grows on me this time.
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Post by carmella1 on Apr 11, 2018 16:00:35 GMT
Anyone know if David Thaxton will be there after cast change?
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Post by stageyninja83 on Apr 11, 2018 18:00:24 GMT
He is staying for the first 6 weeks after cast change but then leaving. I'm assuming the new Javert isn't available straight away.
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Post by daniel on Apr 11, 2018 18:09:08 GMT
He is staying for the first 6 weeks after cast change but then leaving. I'm assuming the new Javert isn't available straight away. any clues of who it is? |
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Post by stageyninja83 on Apr 11, 2018 18:11:44 GMT
He is staying for the first 6 weeks after cast change but then leaving. I'm assuming the new Javert isn't available straight away. any clues of who it is? Nope, I'd love to know myself. I gather quite a lot of people are leaving. Cast announcement was end of April last year so hopefully we'll find out soon. |
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Post by Steffi on Apr 11, 2018 20:10:31 GMT
Cast announcement should be towards the end of the month. At least that’s what they told my friend who is in the new cast. :-)
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Post by Oleanna on Apr 11, 2018 22:49:00 GMT
He is staying for the first 6 weeks after cast change but then leaving. I'm assuming the new Javert isn't available straight away. any clues of who it is? His singing would scare Crowe! |
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