8 posts
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Post by giovanni on Nov 20, 2019 8:54:10 GMT
I've seen the previous and the new cast. Both gave excellent performances. I was glad that the powerhouses, that are Katie and Nic, are still in the cast. Seeing it last night, I thought that Dean did well. I'd agree with David J - Felix impressed me too. Second act - an unfortunate break in the proceedings. A scene had just started when the actors were ushered offstage, as the auditorium lights came on. The announcement advised us that the performance had been halted due to a medical emergency in the auditorium. As to what happened - I don't know. The Mayflower staff responded promptly. We didn't have to wait too long for the show to be resumed. The audience didn't hesitate in giving cast and orchestra a standing ovation from the very start of the curtain call. Definitely deserved. |
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19,677 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 20, 2019 11:17:42 GMT
Isn’t it a great shame that some people have decided to effectively “boycott” this version when it opens in the West End? There’s so much to love about it.
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8 posts
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Post by giovanni on Nov 20, 2019 12:34:51 GMT
Isn’t it a great shame that some people have decided to effectively “boycott” this version when it opens in the West End? There’s so much to love about it. Really?
Unbelievable. This 'version' is the best interpretation of LesMis I've seen. Stunning animated backdrops, great costumes, BIG cast - and talented, to boot. Oh, and the orchestra's pretty good too. I spent £135 to see two performances. Worth it!
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19,677 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 20, 2019 12:55:56 GMT
Isn’t it a great shame that some people have decided to effectively “boycott” this version when it opens in the West End? There’s so much to love about it. Really?
Unbelievable. This 'version' is the best interpretation of LesMis I've seen. Stunning animated backdrops, great costumes, BIG cast - and talented, to boot. Oh, and the orchestra's pretty good too. I spent £135 to see two performances. Worth it!
Yes, I think it’s people who are long standing fans of the original and have reacted badly to the idea of it being changed. Several comments of the “I won’t be going” type in the main les mis thread. It’s a shame and I hope they change their minds. |
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Post by miz on Nov 30, 2019 16:28:48 GMT
Here at the Mayflower for the new cast’s second night First of all everyone gave a huge applause for Nic Greenshields Stars and rightly so. What vocals does that man have A shame Dean Chisnall doesn’t match that. I saw him at the last queens performance and his singing was fine but not strong. Enjoyed his acting but that was it. Here it’s exposed in this big venues overshadowed by Greensshields and Katie Hall. Maybe he’ll improve as time goes on but he sounded the same as back in July The show however really picks up when the students come on. Felix Mosse was practically a kid as Marius and I was grinning watching him. It’s clear he’s having a great time. I can’t wait to see if he develops in the second act It made the red and black scene more dynamic as he and grantaire were the troublemakers whilst the rest were the grown ups. Quite impressed by Barnaby Hughes as Enjolras ↑ Has Dean improved since? I am thinking of catching the tour at one point and I don't really want a weak JVJ. |
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1,057 posts
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Post by David J on Nov 30, 2019 17:59:29 GMT
Here at the Mayflower for the new cast’s second night First of all everyone gave a huge applause for Nic Greenshields Stars and rightly so. What vocals does that man have A shame Dean Chisnall doesn’t match that. I saw him at the last queens performance and his singing was fine but not strong. Enjoyed his acting but that was it. Here it’s exposed in this big venues overshadowed by Greensshields and Katie Hall. Maybe he’ll improve as time goes on but he sounded the same as back in July The show however really picks up when the students come on. Felix Mosse was practically a kid as Marius and I was grinning watching him. It’s clear he’s having a great time. I can’t wait to see if he develops in the second act It made the red and black scene more dynamic as he and grantaire were the troublemakers whilst the rest were the grown ups. Quite impressed by Barnaby Hughes as Enjolras ↑ Has Dean improved since? I am thinking of catching the tour at one point and I don't really want a weak JVJ. Dean is fine as JVJ. Sitting close to stage in the queens production I felt his his acting stood out than his singing, which has its limitations. I was in fact keen to see him again in this tour. He’s just exposed in this larger production, especially next to Nic and Katie. I felt the production kicked up a notch when the students arrived. He’s not going to spoil your night. You may enjoy him more than me |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2019 18:09:26 GMT
What is this new production actually like? Is it all projections with a few set pieces here? Are there still barricades? As far as I was aware the only that had really changed was the revolve and the AWFUL dummies?
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Post by miz on Nov 30, 2019 18:50:23 GMT
Thank you, David J, for your quick reply. It's good to know Dean is a good actor. As my main purpose is to see Nic's Javert, I shall enjoy the show.
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Nov 30, 2019 19:29:41 GMT
What is this new production actually like? Is it all projections with a few set pieces here? Are there still barricades? As far as I was aware the only that had really changed was the revolve and the AWFUL dummies? There certainly is a barricade and full set staging, moving houses, big fences, balconies and everything else. It's a true spectacle to watch. No expense spared at all! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2019 19:55:50 GMT
What is this new production actually like? Is it all projections with a few set pieces here? Are there still barricades? As far as I was aware the only that had really changed was the revolve and the AWFUL dummies? There certainly is a barricade and full set staging, moving houses, big fences, balconies and everything else. It's a true spectacle to watch. No expense spared at all! That makes me very happy because, believe it or not, I didn't actually enjoy the original production... I just found it tired. So I'm really looking forward to this new one. |
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4,361 posts
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Post by shady23 on Nov 30, 2019 21:05:15 GMT
I haven't seen the new cast but if they are a patch on the last they will be outstanding and, let's be honest, Nic as Javert is worth the ticket money alone.
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Post by justfran on Nov 30, 2019 22:29:30 GMT
I haven't seen the new cast but if they are a patch on the last they will be outstanding and, let's be honest, Nic as Javert is worth the ticket money alone. Totally agree. Nic is my favourite Javert that I have seen. Such a commanding stage presence and what a voice! |
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Post by bimse on Dec 4, 2019 13:03:45 GMT
Les Miserables looked, and sounded stunning on Monday evening in the magnificent Wales Millenium Centre in Cardiff. Joseph Anthony was on as Jean Valjean, and Jordan Simon Pollard as Javert , both absolutely astonishing performances, even though I’d wanted to see Nic Greenshields again after seeing him in Manchester .
Felix Mosse as Marius was, just in my opinion , quite disappointing as Marius , not convincing at all. I was surprised at this after reading positive reports on here .
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Post by 10642 on Dec 8, 2019 7:49:08 GMT
Saw the tour for the third time yesterday (first with the new cast). Dean Chisnall acts the role brilliantly but didn’t feel quite as vocally powerful as i prefer in Valjeans. Jordan Simon Pollard is an outstanding Javert, his soliloquy was one of the best I’ve seen. Other stand outs were Ian Hughes as Thenardier and Katie Hall who just gets better and better as Fantine
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Post by djp on Dec 10, 2019 0:18:42 GMT
What is this new production actually like? Is it all projections with a few set pieces here? Are there still barricades? As far as I was aware the only that had really changed was the revolve and the AWFUL dummies? Yes, the barricade is a wacking looking thing now . Major difference is that they have lost some of the sense of motion/time the revolve brought and the two big reveal scenes involving Enjolras and Gavroche- both are now weaker in my umble view- as are the Paris crowd scenes .Master of the House has become more panto - probably too so - and gavroche has some panto lines too . Valjean, Javert and Fantine can still shine, and do on the tour.
The original was so good partly because the actors had their input into the long development process . the production team behind this version I don't think have as good a view of what should be going on in places, but there's no reason why good casts given the room to try a few things differently can't work on what they have. The trick is not to keep on adding adlibs- but to rearrange the furniture, lighting , and positioning a bit, and take out some of the panto. There's room for new ideas, but also watching what worked in the past and bringing back some of the old detail .
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Post by 141920grm on Dec 10, 2019 14:33:14 GMT
The trick is not to keep on adding adlibs- but to rearrange the furniture, lighting , and positioning a bit, and take out some of the panto. There's room for new ideas, but also watching what worked in the past and bringing back some of the old detail .
Have a lot of ad-libs and "panto" been added in this restaging?! Haven't had a chance to watch the tour but am familiar with the revolve production. |
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Post by 10642 on Dec 10, 2019 15:45:05 GMT
The trick is not to keep on adding adlibs- but to rearrange the furniture, lighting , and positioning a bit, and take out some of the panto. There's room for new ideas, but also watching what worked in the past and bringing back some of the old detail .
Have a lot of ad-libs and "panto" been added in this restaging?! Haven't had a chance to watch the tour but am familiar with the revolve production. The Thenardiers are more comedic than in the original production, but they still stick mostly to the existing libretto. Its more comedic acting and delivery of existing lines rather than adding in extra lines like in the staged concert. |
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19,677 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 10, 2019 15:58:15 GMT
Is there a bit more physical stuff from the Thenardiers in the new version? Is there some business with a bird in a cage that ends up in the mincing machine that isn’t in the original WE production?
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Post by 10642 on Dec 10, 2019 16:44:19 GMT
Is there a bit more physical stuff from the Thenardiers in the new version? Is there some business with a bird in a cage that ends up in the mincing machine that isn’t in the original WE production? Yeah in the “food beyond compare” verse of master of the house they put a bird in a mincer and a couple of feathers come out |
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Post by xanady on Dec 10, 2019 22:26:35 GMT
Ad-libbing and panto slapstick? Sounds like a right Carry On...😉
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Post by Bickers on Dec 11, 2019 14:20:19 GMT
I was at Cardiff on Monday night, and Joseph Anthony was on for JVJ. The make up and wigs aged him well later on but he looked so young to start with, he could only have been about 6 when he was first imprisoned! A lovely voice though, and acted the part well. He had to repeat on of his lines when he dropped a piece of the Bishop's silver, but handled that with no problem. I did feel like he was rushing through his lines at times, particularly in the first half of Act 1, didn't notice it at all in Act 2. All other principals were on.
I haven't seen the show since the 25th Anniversary shows, culminating at the Barbican just over 9 years ago (I'm still trying to forget the movie). For me, the casting for that was spot on, and I think this time round was always going to be hard to live up to my expectations. Consequently there were a few things I found disappointing, not desperately so but I'd say the show was very good rather than amazing. I found the sound wasn't always great, and there were lines that I simply couldn't hear as they blended in with whatever the ensemble were singing at the time. Orchestra was lush though, not enough shows have such a magnificent orchestra! I missed having the dates and locations in the projections, although I've seen the show a few times previously, the timeline would be helpful, particularly for newcomers.
Nic's Javert was fabulous, a wonderful voice and such a presence on stage. I actually felt sorry for him during his suicide for the first time, and the projections worked wonderfully for this scene in particular (although they were generally good, very atmospheric).
It was great to see Katie Hall again, having now become her own mother, as it were, since the last tour. She still has a lovely voice, and I really felt for Fantine's plight. She was the main person I preferred over the 25th cast, as Madelena Alberto's portrayal was a bit too angry and not quite for me.
I also enjoyed Eponine and her On My Own was very well received. I did wonder why, though, when all the rest of the cast were using southern English accents, did she retain the actress' Scottish accent? I didn't dislike it, don't get me wrong, but just wondered why other regional/national accents weren't retained? (sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, I haven't read the whole thread). I know the last tour essentially had the good guys as southerners and the bad guys as northerners which was a bit suspect, but I liked hearing a few different accents at least.
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Post by Bickers on Dec 17, 2019 14:14:40 GMT
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Post by xanady on Dec 17, 2019 15:15:30 GMT
^Sounds scary and glad nobody was hurt...however if the touring barricade is still as laughably tiny and insignificant as it was when in Brum,a thimble-full of water would probably have sufficed 😂
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396 posts
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Post by djp on Dec 24, 2019 4:21:33 GMT
Is there a bit more physical stuff from the Thenardiers in the new version? Is there some business with a bird in a cage that ends up in the mincing machine that isn’t in the original WE production? Yes. {Spoiler - click to view}
The whole scene goes to new highs or lows - polly gets minced and those deprived in the leg department are another victim. It takes what were jokes based on Thenardier being venal and nicking everything, and cuts some- while putting in more absurd examples. I preferred the original , but would have added polly as an extra visible gag. They can't seem to resist the temptation to add Matt Lucas like flourishes with adlibs either even Gavroche has been given wisecracks and silly walk . But they are the same people who thought Matt lucas was a good idea . |
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Post by Steffi on Feb 16, 2020 7:39:23 GMT
Caught the show in Zurich last night. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would after being unimpressed by this version of the show when I I I saw it on Broadway. For me the revolve is missing a lot and the barricades look quite small and unremarkable (however, from what I remember they were even tinier on Broadway unless my memory is playing tricks on me). But all in all the staging works.
Good to see Dean Chisnall’s Valjean again. Also Cameron Blakely’s Thenardier who remains one of my all time favorites in the role.
Nic Greenshield’d Javert I thought I would love but sadly I didn’t. He has an wonderful voice and an impressive stage presence but for some reason he seemed quite stiff in his movements. Also, get the man a new set of costumes - his look like they’ve shrunk in the washing.
I saw the understudy for Marius (Danny Colligan) who I thought was great. Couldn’t really warm to Barnaby Hughes’ Enjolras.
All in all I’m glad I saw the tour. I might go again sometime this summer. Bit of a shame the show doesn’t seem to have picked up in Zurich. For a Saturday evening there were a lot of empty seats. And I was told the Circle has been closed for the past week due to lack of ticket sales.
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