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Post by xanady on Sept 8, 2019 14:26:50 GMT
Lot of love for JOJ on this thread...very well deserved too!
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Post by alexandraastrid79 on Sept 10, 2019 11:45:37 GMT
Lot of love for JOJ on this thread...very well deserved too! I am looking forward in seeing this and I have not yet seen john owen jones live before, I got to see alfie on his concert tour! I felt a bit sick on how much I paid for the ticket but I have lost count how many times I have seen this show so had to see the staged concert! |
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Post by taboolie on Sept 10, 2019 14:21:24 GMT
I saw this a week ago Monday with JOJ. I thought the whole cast were excellent but JOJ really stood out. MB was very good as Javert but somehow his voice does not seem as strong as a few years ago, which is a shame as he was one of the reasons I booked. Now to my question, can anyone tell me why Simon Bowman was off and Earl Carpenter playing his part? Does SB only do set days or is he sick? I missed him on several occasions over the years - solo concert cancelled due to illness, got understudy as Valjean in Les zMis, didn't do weekday matinees in Elvis musical tour, sick 50% time at Miss Saigon, no show at a charity concert in aid of Greek children, etc... I'm surprised I actually saw him play both Raoul and Phantom in POTO.
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Post by daisy24601 on Sept 10, 2019 14:34:02 GMT
Simon dropped out near the beginning of the run for unknown reasons...maybe he heard you were coming?
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Post by taboolie on Sept 10, 2019 14:53:06 GMT
Simon dropped out near the beginning of the run for unknown reasons...maybe he heard you were coming? |
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Post by taboolie on Sept 10, 2019 14:54:03 GMT
Daisy-
Ha,ha.
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Post by 49thand8th on Sept 10, 2019 17:58:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2019 19:35:06 GMT
That's not entirely accurate given he was in the closing cast at the Queen's... |
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Post by fiyero on Sept 11, 2019 5:56:21 GMT
Sounds like Alfie was out last night:
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Post by londonmzfitz on Sept 11, 2019 10:18:28 GMT
Yes, many unhappy Alfie fans on Facebook last night. Lots travelling some distance + accommodation so you can understand the let-down of Alfie fans.
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Post by miz on Sept 11, 2019 11:42:58 GMT
Lucky them! They will discover how the role of JVJ should be sung.
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Post by ceebee on Sept 11, 2019 12:48:45 GMT
Lucky them! They will discover how the role of JVJ should be sung. Spot on! John Owen Jones was simply magnificent on Monday. Had he been replaced at the last minute by Alfie Boetox (no expression on his face whatsoever whilst 'acting'), I'd have been mightily peeved. |
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Post by alexandraastrid79 on Sept 11, 2019 18:42:07 GMT
First time I have heard JOJ live he did not disappoint!!🤟
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Post by musicalfloozie on Sept 11, 2019 18:52:47 GMT
I went last week and say JOJ and was blown away. I've never seen him before in anything and I was captivated
The whole case were really amazing though, I had reservations about Carrie as the last time I saw her in Addams Family she was not good as was coming down with flu and missed most of her notes, but she nailed it in this. Also previous reviews of Michael Ball made me worried I wouldn't enjoy his performance but he was good (ok not the most convincing Javert). I wish I could go back and see it all again
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Post by ceebee on Sept 11, 2019 22:33:35 GMT
Sounds like Alfie was out last night: It was a sore throat - checked over by an Italian specialist. No specific medical diagnosis other than "Boe a constricta". |
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Post by scarlett3 on Sept 11, 2019 23:17:38 GMT
Went this afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it but I do prefer a proper production (preferably the original!) and missed some of the cut parts. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces back, especially Katy Secombe and Bradley Jaden back to playing Enjolras (a role that fits him like a glove). I also liked how clear the singing was without everyone running around the stage - just standing at the microphones meant there could more emphasis on singing the songs, and Confrontation in particular really stood out for me as benefitting from this.
John Owen-Jones was as incredible as everyone had said and Carrie did well as Fantine. I also thought the two new girls, Shan and Lily, did very well as Eponine and Cosette and I'd be happy if they remained with the show for its reopening. One of the cast mentioned there might be an announcement in the next week or two so hopefully there won't be a long wait to find out.
I thought Michael Ball did a good job but he isn't one of my favourite Javerts - he seemed to sing some parts slower than usual but other parts were faster, perhaps I've just got so used to hearing Javert's part sung in a certain way that it was a bit jarring! I noticed the programme has been updated and Earl Carpenter is now listed as first cover Javert, so I assume he'll be playing the role on Saturday.
I actually enjoyed Matt Lucas and all the extra asides from the Thenardiers - in the absence of the visual gags I thought it made sense to add verbal comedy to maintain the levity they bring to the show. I wouldn't want it to be a permanent fixture in a full production but was happy to see something different in this.
I must also mention the staff at the Gielgud were wonderful. My mother is disabled and she was struggling and needed to sit down when she got to the theatre. One of the ushers noticed she was in pain and arranged for us to go to the stalls bar before it opened, with all the staff we met in the process being so kind and understanding.
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Post by ceebee on Sept 12, 2019 6:43:02 GMT
I thought Michael Ball did a good job but he isn't one of my favourite Javerts - he seemed to sing some parts slower than usual but other parts were faster, perhaps I've just got so used to hearing Javert's part sung in a certain way that it was a bit jarring! Yes. MB's articulation isn't great. Seems to trip over the quicker sections. He's not my favourite Javert, but there's no denying his "Stars" and interpretation of the suicide were both excellently done. I also thought he was superb in Chess. I would prefer Earl Carpenter in the role as he is shockingly underused in this production. |
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Post by billy on Sept 12, 2019 17:08:08 GMT
Lots of £15 Stalls Standing tickets currently available for next week (£17.50 online) - just bought mine!
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Post by ceebee on Sept 12, 2019 17:37:48 GMT
Lots of £15 Stalls Standing tickets currently available for next week (£17.50 online) - just bought mine! Probably better than the Royal Circle where you constantly have to look down. Look down. |
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Post by 49thand8th on Sept 13, 2019 17:52:28 GMT
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Post by daisy24601 on Sept 13, 2019 22:18:02 GMT
Friday 13th, lucky for some! Hoping MB has a mild cold the night I'm going and I get Earl with JOJ. The dream team!
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Post by Mark on Sept 13, 2019 22:19:48 GMT
Lots of £15 Stalls Standing tickets currently available for next week (£17.50 online) - just bought mine! Is there leaning space in the standing spots at the Gielgud? |
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Post by TallPaul on Sept 14, 2019 13:09:27 GMT
Is there leaning space in the standing spots at the Gielgud? I can't take any credit for the review, which must go to Dr Tom, but this may help. I was in the standing area, at the rear Stalls. This area really isn't managed well. Only a small section of the wall is available for standing against. I realised this and claimed a good space early, only for an usher to move everyone standing in the "wrong" area and insist that those of us already there most down to less desirable positions, rather than putting the people who ignored all the signs in the gaps. I moved as far as I could, but there are also candlestick style lights sticking out of the wall in two places, meaning I couldn't move down further without crouching. Someone further down the line didn't realise this and glared at me several times. If you're under 5'4" or so, you could probably fit underneath, but otherwise that takes the wall out of action. The area is crowded and had a group of large men been there, it would have been tricky for us all to fit. In this case, it was mainly women and just about worked. |
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Post by isabel on Sept 14, 2019 15:25:47 GMT
Some of the cast are preforming in Hyde Park Proms thisevening
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Post by richey on Sept 14, 2019 16:07:48 GMT
Listening to them perform at Hyde Park now. Not impressed with the arrangements
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