349 posts
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Post by kimbahorel on Aug 25, 2019 10:19:11 GMT
I read that Mr. Boe is still getting a standing ovation after Bring Him Home. It may sound odd but it makes me feel a little sad somehow. Has it become an obligation? On the first night a couple of women in the front row shot up (I pretty sure it was BHH) I have only been going to shows for 5 years and never have I seen anyone stand clapping during the show. At curtain call its a given some people will some wont but during... I was in my head going "seriously". |
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Post by d'James on Aug 25, 2019 11:25:42 GMT
I’ve only ever seen two mid-show standing ovations, and although I didn’t participate in them, I think they were deserved if that makes sense.
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Post by mjr on Aug 25, 2019 12:01:33 GMT
Does anyone know why Simon Bowman departed the production?
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Post by alece10 on Aug 25, 2019 12:02:13 GMT
Standing ovation for that song at the 25th anniversary concert.
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Post by westendboy on Aug 25, 2019 13:30:21 GMT
Found this video of Gala Premiere curtain call speeches, with Cameron Mackintosh and both Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg present.
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349 posts
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Post by kimbahorel on Aug 25, 2019 14:18:21 GMT
Does anyone know why Simon Bowman departed the production? No one I know seems to know. Someone asked cast but they are shtum about it. |
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Post by miz on Aug 25, 2019 15:32:32 GMT
I think it started at the 25 th anniversary. I was there too and I still remember my heart turning stone cold watching people going crazy for Mr Boe's BHH. I'm perfectly happy with a mid-show standing ovation in a more show-biz type show or light-hearted one, but for me, Les Miz is different. IMHO, it demands and deserves a deep emotional engagement from the audience and a mid-show standing ovation breaks the spell. No actor or singer is greater than the show itself, especially a masterpiece like Les Miz. To me, he will forever remain as someone who vulgernised BHH. I say this risking being skinned alive by his fans.
I perfectly know that Mr Boe has a beautiful voice. I have seen him in both the ROH and Coliseum, but so does Jonas Kaufman. If a singer can give an operatic rendition of a musical aria, that doesn't make him a genius. To me, what JOJ can do with his voice, facial expressions and hands deserve lot higher praises and recognition. His hands alone can express a lot.
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Post by carmella1 on Aug 25, 2019 18:12:15 GMT
LOL remember when he was doing Carousel and they said his wig did more acting then he did.
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Post by theoracle on Aug 26, 2019 22:33:25 GMT
Finally got to see this tonight and omg, I’m still shaking. Les Mis has always packed a punch but tonight was on a whole other level. JOJ was riveting and CFH was actually outstanding, bringing something really special to Fantine that makes you feel like you’re hearing I Dreamed a Dream for the first time all over again.
I went in mainly wanting to see Rob Houchen and he didn’t disappoint either, I was misty eyed during ECAET. Michael Ball was a great fit for Javert I thought, bringing much rage and darkness to the role. The biggest applause seemed to go to Matt Lucas and Katy Seacombe though who had the audience in stitches. All in all, it was clearly a very special production with the company really making the point that this is a great show and they all came out to prove it. 5 Stars
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Post by Lemansky on Aug 27, 2019 8:28:16 GMT
A bit late, but we saw this on the 22nd and thought it was fantastic. JOJ was phenomenal and I'm so glad we were able to see him again in this role. I love Rob Houchen and Bradley Jaden in general and thought they were both fantastic. Carrie was wonderful as well, as were the ladies playing Eponine and Cosette.
For us the weak link was Michael Ball, which isn't soemthing I thought I'd ever say! He sounded croaky at times and there was lots of singing through gritted teeth as if that was him in 'angry Javert' mode. Normally Javert is one of my favourite roles in Les Mis but I found he was overshadowed by the majority of the rest of the cast.
But all in all it was a really brilliant evening and I'm very glad we got to go.
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Post by londonmzfitz on Aug 27, 2019 12:11:17 GMT
I should have gone last night, had one of the £17.50 slips but wasn't feeling great and the HEAT in London, I'm afraid, did for me. I got into a tepid bath at 4pm and stayed there for a happy hour, deciding my sanity was worth more than a sticky/stinky tube and a nosebleed seat. Bah.
On the mid-show ovations, first time I witnessed it was Guys & Dolls at the National, 1997, when Clive Rowe sang Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat which was the most extraordinary performance (winning an Olivier Award). I have seen mid-show ovations since (Gypsy with Imelda, Funny Girl with Sheridan) but that was a stand-out performance and absolutely worthy of bringing the show to a standstill. The Alfie fans are very vocal on Book of Face and - as my earlier review on this thread - Alfie's performance is (my opinion) superb; Alfie has been cast as he will bring in fans, and those fans will want to make it known (yeah, touch of the Alfie, Alfie, look at me!) they are impressed.
I did make a comment on one of Alfie's fan sites when he was in Les Mis years ago that I couldn't understand why the fans were applauding over the final big note of Bring Him Home - we all know it's coming, why drown it out - and next time I went it didn't happen.
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Post by danb on Aug 27, 2019 13:03:49 GMT
What time does this kick out? Is any time saved from less ‘business’?
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Post by 49thand8th on Aug 27, 2019 15:47:16 GMT
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Post by Lemansky on Aug 28, 2019 8:45:38 GMT
So I've ended up with 4 upper circle slips seats for a performance in November. I was only buying 2, but my Mum asked me to grab the other 2 for her sister. Is there any difference in 'best of a bad view' between AA1-2 and AA3-4 or are they all about the same?
Thanks!
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136 posts
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Post by Lemansky on Aug 28, 2019 10:31:11 GMT
4 has a better angle, down to 1. As you all know each other, leaning into other people's views would be easier if you were in 3, 2 or 1, so you don't disturb the person in 5. Thanks theatremonkey! I did have a look at your site before purchasing (as always) and decided to go ahead. As I've seen it already I wanted to make sure the other people in the group had the better views, so if it's easier for them to lean in the lower numbers and restrict my view perhaps that's the way to go. |
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Post by kimbahorel on Aug 28, 2019 19:34:44 GMT
Is there anyone who has been to the concert in the last week who has bought a recent programme (not from the first show or week) to tell me who the 1st cover Javert is now that Simon is no longer with the company. I am curious if they have changed it yet.
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Post by justafan on Aug 28, 2019 20:04:13 GMT
Is there anyone who has been to the concert in the last week who has bought a recent programme (not from the first show or week) to tell me who the 1st cover Javert is now that Simon is no longer with the company. I am curious if they have changed it yet. I would love it to be Earl Carpenter but he has had to ‘double up’ roles anyway so sadly unlikely to be him - lucky for no.2 cover who probably thought he would never get on - tho Leo Roberts is in the cast and he played a mighty fine Javert when I saw him at Queens ... 🤔 |
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349 posts
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Post by kimbahorel on Aug 28, 2019 20:39:45 GMT
Is there anyone who has been to the concert in the last week who has bought a recent programme (not from the first show or week) to tell me who the 1st cover Javert is now that Simon is no longer with the company. I am curious if they have changed it yet. I would love it to be Earl Carpenter but he has had to ‘double up’ roles anyway so sadly unlikely to be him - lucky for no.2 cover who probably thought he would never get on - tho Leo Roberts is in the cast and he played a mighty fine Javert when I saw him at Queens ... 🤔 We all want it to be Barney (2nd cover)! I am curious I booked 14th because I knew Ball wasn't there anyway. If it is one of the current company which ever way it goes it means more covers I get to see 😀. A part of me was hoping they might let Bradley do it since he was Javert for the last year. Only because then I can see Vinny as Enjolras. |
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Post by Lemansky on Aug 29, 2019 8:31:01 GMT
Is there anyone who has been to the concert in the last week who has bought a recent programme (not from the first show or week) to tell me who the 1st cover Javert is now that Simon is no longer with the company. I am curious if they have changed it yet. I would love it to be Earl Carpenter but he has had to ‘double up’ roles anyway so sadly unlikely to be him - lucky for no.2 cover who probably thought he would never get on - tho Leo Roberts is in the cast and he played a mighty fine Javert when I saw him at Queens ... 🤔 I was there last week and the programme still had Simon listed so don't think they've changed it. I can double check later though! |
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Post by ptwest on Aug 29, 2019 10:25:39 GMT
I’m there tonight, if I buy a programme I will report back!
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Post by jaqs on Aug 29, 2019 10:33:32 GMT
Went last night and really enjoyed it. Not seen the show live since it was at the palace, so don’t have a big attachment to it. Mr Ball can’t do menacing and Mr Boe is stiff as a board, even if he sounds like a dream, but the rest of the cast were terrific and it was lovely to have such a big cast making a great sound.
I did hate my fellow audience of screamers, clapping before the end of the songs, standing up at the drop of a hat, entrance applause, mouthing the words and singing along. It was a bingo of annoying behaviour.
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Post by tcodd1 on Aug 29, 2019 10:51:32 GMT
I’m there tonight too - can’t wait!! Been years since I last saw Les Mis, so I’m looking forward to seeing it again in its concert form!
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Post by LaLuPone on Aug 29, 2019 11:04:05 GMT
Has anyone sat at the back of the stalls for this? I’m in Row U on Wednesday and wondering what I’ll miss.
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Post by andrew on Aug 29, 2019 14:42:35 GMT
entrance applause, mouthing the words Oh my god, these are my personal hell. |
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Post by danb on Aug 29, 2019 15:01:51 GMT
entrance applause, mouthing the words Oh my god, these are my personal hell. Yes ‘Rough Dawn’ off of Chester, we know it’s your favourite, we know you’ve seen it 53 times, we know that you love Alfie Boe, (mostly from your droopy boobs and slurring)....we know ok? We worked it out. Surely more enjoyment is to be had from the actual thing, than from making sure people know that you are ‘the best’ at liking it? It isn’t ‘just’ yours. Have some self respect woman...and put that tattoo away. Pretty sure Alfie isn’t interested in your ‘o’. |
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