Les Miserables - The Staged Concert

[ruthieh]

Aug 10, 2019 19:15:18 GMT cheesy116 said:

Aug 10, 2019 19:12:26 GMT fiyero said:

Isn't Michael Ball off that day? I think that's why they held back. No idea why it is the earlier time though!

Possibly starting earlier due to a tv performance. I know that Britains Got Talent The Champions and X Factor Celebrity are both due to start around August/September time.

It’s Proms in the Park, so Bally is busy MC’ing at Hyde Park for the BBC

[zak97]

Any knowledge on the understudies?

[06s091]

Aug 10, 2019 20:40:28 GMT zak97 said:

Any knowledge on the understudies?

Jean Valjean:

• Adam Bayjou
  
• Christopher Jacobsen
  

Javert:

• Simon Bowman
  
• Barnaby Hughes
  

Fantine:

• Rosanna Bates
  
• Sophie Reeves
  

Eponine:

• Rosa O’Reilly
  
• Nicola Espallardo

Cosette:

• Holly Anne-Hull
  
• Samantha Dorsey
  

Enjolras:

• Vinny Coyle
  
• Barnaby Hughes
  

Marius:

• Craig Mather
  
• Ciaran Joyce
  

Thénardier:

• Stephen Matthew
  
• Oliver Jackson
  

Madame T:

• Katie Kerr
  
• Tamsin Dowsett

I'm surprised to not see Earl Carpenter as u/s Javert, but other than that it's pretty much what I expected.

[kimbahorel]

Aug 10, 2019 20:14:03 GMT Phantom of London said:

Aug 10, 2019 14:29:22 GMT kimbahorel said:

Matt Lucas posted up on instagram a photo of a souvenir brochure i wonder if that is a combined picture book and programme or will they have a seperate programme. If it is combined it's probably going to be like 10 quid!!

 No change from a £10 Note.

Called it it was 10 but apparently going up!

[kimbahorel]

Aug 10, 2019 21:02:57 GMT 06s091 said:

Aug 10, 2019 20:40:28 GMT zak97 said:

Any knowledge on the understudies?

Jean Valjean:

• Adam Bayjou
  
• Christopher Jacobsen
  

Javert:

• Simon Bowman
  
• Barnaby Hughes
  

Fantine:

• Rosanna Bates
  
• Sophie Reeves
  

Eponine:

• Rosa O’Reilly
  
• Nicola Espallardo

Cosette:

• Holly Anne-Hull
  
• Samantha Dorsey
  

Enjolras:

• Vinny Coyle
  
• Barnaby Hughes
  

Marius:

• Craig Mather
  
• Ciaran Joyce
  

Thénardier:

• Stephen Matthew
  
• Oliver Jackson
  

Madame T:

• Katie Kerr
  
• Tamsin Dowsett

I'm surprised to not see Earl Carpenter as u/s Javert, but other than that it's pretty much what I expected.

also not published but as far as I know Ciaran Bowling is 1st Cover Grantaire and 2nd Bamatabois and Andrew is a cover Bishop (assume still 1st cover) no idea on the other featured ensemble covers yet but will update.

[shady23]

We now know all about the programme but how was the performance? Staging?

[kimbahorel]

A LOT of ensemble lines and parts have been cut. It's very different and different from the 25th anniversary concert too...

[cheesy116]

So how was it for all who were there ? How were all the leads ? Having finally booked it I'm now wanting to know everything

[knutinkerbell]

Liked the orchestration. It is an orchestra of 26.

A lot of middle aged women screaming after nearly every song. I was in the middle of them. All alone. Was annoying.

Also liked the leads and Fletchers Fantine.

[Phantom of London]

I booked this without knowing it was the first performance..

Les Miserables is adored all around the world and has been performed literally in every corner and translated into many languages. It is the musical that speaks directly and unequivocal to the audience with recent unlicensed productions in Venezuela and Hong Kong, where it has become a call to arms.

Going in I thought this was going to be reminiscent of the Barbican 25th anniversary production which I loved, but was instead based on the 25th 02 concert production which I didn’t love, shame it wasn’t the Royal Albert Hall 10th anniversary concert production, which I simply adored.

But if you are going to go please feel free to wear your black suit and tie - a black armband if you must, but that is entirely optional to hear Alfie Boe’s and Michael Ball’s eulogy. Everyone loves Michael Ball, Alfie Boe and Carrie Hope Fisher (if you are under 21.) My issue with this evening is not with Les Miserables, which will always be a great piece of theatre and is my favourite musical of all time. But what makes Les Miserables so great is that it is so dramatic, which is entirely absent in a concert format production. I didn’t mind when they did celebrational milestone concerts in the past, as I knew you had the original at the Palace and later the Queens, to fall back on. Tonight felt like a requiem.

What stood out for me, is that Michael Ball cannot do the bad man, whether it was Sweeney in Sweeney Todd and Freddie Trumper in Chess, he is too stereotypical your nice guy, however tonight, acting wasn’t a requirement, which must come to a big relief to Alfie Boe, however he did take the roof off to the Gielgud for his big solo moment for ‘Bring Him Home,’ I tip my black bowler hat to that. I was surprised how well Carrie Hope Fisher sung and acquitted herself for ‘I dreamed a dream.’ Earl Carpenter, Rob Houchen, Shan Ako and Katy Secome were all delightful.

I mourn the turntable and Les Miserable that was.

Hope it returns for the 40th anniversary production, no one does publicity better as the producer for this, that I am assured is alive and well.

3 Stars

[theatremadness]

Aug 10, 2019 22:20:08 GMT Phantom of London said:

I booked this without knowing it was the first performance..

Going in I thought this was going to be reminiscent of the Barbican 25th anniversary production which I loved, but was instead based on the 25th 02 concert production which I didn’t love, shame it wasn’t the Royal Albert Hall 10th anniversary concert production, which I simply adored.

But if you are going to go please feel free to wear your black suit and tie - a black armband if you must, but that is entirely optional to hear Alfie Boe’s and Michael Ball’s eulogy. Everyone loves Michael Ball, Alfie Boe and Carrie Hope Fisher (if you are under 21.) My issue with this evening is not with Les Miserables, which will always be a great piece of theatre and is my favourite musical of all time. But what makes Les Miserables so great is that it is so dramatic, which is entirely absent in a concert format production. I didn’t mind when they did celebrational milestone concerts in the past, as I knew you had the original at the Palace and later the Queens, to fall back on. Tonight felt like a requiem.

What stood out for me, is that Michael Ball cannot do the bad man, whether it was Sweeney in Sweeney Todd and Freddie Trumper in Chess, he is too stereotypical your nice guy, however tonight, acting wasn’t a requirement, which must come to a big relief to Alfie Boe, however he did take the roof off to the Gielgud for his big solo moment for ‘Bring Him Home,’ I tip my black bowler hat to that. I was surprised how well Carrie Hope Fisher sung and acquitted herself for ‘I dreamed a dream.’ Earl Carpenter, Rob Houchen, Shan Ako and Katy Secome were all delightful.

I mourn the turntable and Les Miserable that was.

Hope it returns for the 40th anniversary production, no one does publicity better as the producer for this, that I am assured is alive and well.

3 Stars

This has been very, very, very - and I cannot stressed this enough - very widely publicised as a concert production. "All Star" is questionable - but there can be no doubt as to the fact that this is a semi-staged concert version of the show so I'm a little confused as to how or why you thought this was going to be the full production? Renovations are currently happening at the Sondheim (formerly Queens) theatre and the production that will be reminiscent of the 25th Anniversary Barbican production will be going in there. This is 16-week filler concert to satisfy all your Les Mis needs until then. I can't argue that I agree with your statement that it's hard not to see Michael Ball as lovable but then I remember how much I personally enjoyed his Sweeney and I am so excited for this concert!

[Dr Tom]

Is this staged at all, or is it just people sat behind a row of microphones and standing up for their parts? Any costumes? Any acted parts?

[boq1984]

I was there this evening - I purposely tried my best to get first night in hope that the full cast was on. I fully appreciate that this show is firstly not for everyone and I know many people who certainly do not love it or even like it - I however love it and would gladly watch it and listen to it daily. This production for me is sublime.
For me there is not a weak link in the task, along with the fantastic luscious or orchestra in my eyes (and ears) it had never sounded better. Visually I believe they have got the balance just write - they don’t necessarily act but they act with the lyrics which brings to forefront the power that these have. All actors are in full costume. I would also say that this version does give some clarity’s to what is a pretty complex story

[kimbahorel]

Aug 10, 2019 22:28:47 GMT Dr Tom said:

Is this staged at all, or is it just people sat behind a row of microphones and standing up for their parts? Any costumes? Any acted parts?

There are costumes all the parts are sung to the audience and not other cast memebers and the ensemble sit on a balcony/staired stage bit. Its made to look some what like wooden barricade/ paris scene thing. The thing I hated set wise was the lights they drop them so you basically cut off most of the ensemble sight line for a 1/3 of the show. But I liked the staircase that led down substage. Also the band are on stage risen up.

[Dave25]

Is the most beautiful part of the show in this production?

"I will pay what I must pay
To take Cosette away.
There is a duty I must heed
There is a promise I have made
For I was blind to one in need
I did not see what stood before me
Now her mother is with God
Fantine's suffering is over
And I speak here with her voice
And I stand here in her place

And from this day and evermore
Cosette shall live in my protection
I shall not forget my vow
Cosette shall have a father now"

[David J]

Aug 10, 2019 21:02:57 GMT 06s091 said:

Aug 10, 2019 20:40:28 GMT zak97 said:

Any knowledge on the understudies?

I'm surprised to not see Earl Carpenter as u/s Javert, but other than that it's pretty much what I expected.

When he was in the 2016 Manilla production he said somewhere that it was the last time he was playing Javert. Disappointing but there is a press video of One day more and a recording of the confrontation on youtube from that production and you can tell he was loosing his Javert voice. And that was not long after he was in in the Canadian and broadway productions so I wouldn’t be surprised that he wanted to move on

[londonmzfitz]

This was all about Alfie for me. Thought his voice was stunning. I saw him and Matt Lucas at the Queens back in - was it 2011? Gosh ... And echo Phantoms thought that Alfie didn't act the role. But boy what a voice. I was initially excited by Carrie Hope Fletchers I Dreamed A Dream but halfway through it felt she was racing against the Orchestra.

I thought the staging was good ,but the death of Javert in just walking off down the centre steps I'd want to tweak.

Lovely to see an orchestra. There's a blooming harp!. Didn't enjoy my Grand Circle E25 though. Main cast are at mics front of stage, so a chunk of the front of stage wasn't visible. Reminder why I usually go front stalls! Leaners at the front and bobby heads meant I was lucky to see main cast faces of those centre stage. I had a whooper next to me too ...

Again, all about Alfie for me. Love his voice.

[kimbahorel]

You know what I don't care. I really didn't like it. I knew that it was going to be a concert I know that but they cut so much ensemble stuff. They have reframed songs with ensemble parts as solos (with backing vocals). They literally could have had just the leads at the show and not bother with the ensemble. They either cut scenes out of the show or all the dialoge from scenes. I only bought tickets because I found out some of my fave actors where in it. In fairness Oli and Ciaran are onstage swings and actually got more to do in the show than some of the ensemble which concidering they are the two I bought tickets for is the saving grace for me.

The only thing I liked was that they extended Turning. Performance wise... I am not going to say anything I have no words other than... I actually really loved Shan as Eponine and Lily as Cosette. Bradley has got a lot more vocal depth to his Enjolras now and I haven't seen Rob for a while I enjoyed his performance. Carrie did pretty well vocally for Fantine she was nervous I think mostly. The ensemble were great from the stuff they actually got to perform. I didnt like the wedding sat down dance it was weird. Also the flat part of the stage is too small for any more than about 10 people unless they are static. There were a lot of scenes I can't remember if the 25th Concert does this but when all the students die you have then all just stand there while the music is going. Its a bit.... okay!

[mrbarnaby]

Has Alfie Boe learnt to act yet?

[tmesis]

Aug 11, 2019 5:48:06 GMT mrbarnaby said:

Has Alfie Boe learnt to act yet?

My favourite review headline related to this was on Arts Desk when (sporting a rather flamboyant and implausible syrup) he was in the ENO Carousel:

'Boe out-acted by wig.'

[Dr Tom]

How is this version for gunshots and explosions? Is this finally a chance for those of us who don’t like them to watch the show in comfort?

[jaqs]

What time did it finish?

Thanks for all the first night reports.

[anita]

Can anyone tell me who played Gavroche as I didn't get a programme? I've seen Les Mis many times - but all at the Palace theatre. When did they cut Gavroche going to collect the bullets? It was my first time to see Carrie in anything - impressed. Don't care for the new arrangements. Spoiled the sewer scene without the beautiful pitzicato violins at the begining. Claude-Michel walked past me in the foyer.

[anita]

Aug 11, 2019 8:16:58 GMT jaqs said:

What time did it finish?

Thanks for all the first night reports.

About 10:15.

[kimbahorel]

Aug 11, 2019 7:31:08 GMT Dr Tom said:

How is this version for gunshots and explosions? Is this finally a chance for those of us who don’t like them to watch the show in comfort?

they don't have any guns that are used. There is a sound effect but I would usually stick my fingers in my ears because I knew where they were. This I didn't need to.