Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Vs 10th Anniversary

[Phantom of London]

Just wondering what you favourite concert version was? And maybe why?

Mine was the 10th anniversary, as you had the original wonderful cast, especially Colm Wilkinson, you had more of the score than was available on the cast recording at the time and at the end you had all the superb Valjeans from around the World, singing One Day More in their own language, which was an absolute treat.

[westendboy]

This is a hard one! I personally love them both, but for different reasons.

I think in terms of set, the 25th anniversary is better. It fits with the setting of the musical and the cast had enough space to move from place to place. The 10th anniversary set looked too cramped and in some instances, it looked like some actors were about to bump into each other! An example being when the 17 Valjeans come onstage to sing and Colm has to pull one them back so that the other one can take over. Also during 'Beggars at the Feast', when the Thenadiers are coming onstage, Alun Armstrong (Monsieur Thenadier) actually stumbles and falls over. To this day, I'm not sure if this was intentional, or not!

But in terms of cast, I think the 10th anniversary is better. You've got Colm Wilkinson as Valjean, Philip Quast as Javert (one of my favourite Javerts), Ruthie Henshall as Fantine, Michael Ball as Marius, Lea Salonga as Eponine, Alun Armstrong and Jenny Galloway as the Thenadiers and Michael Maguire as Enjolras.

So overall, both concerts have their strengths and weaknesses, but they're both excellent in their own ways.

[Deleted]

I’d plump for the 10th for the cast and 25th for the production.

The 25th was spoiled for me by Nick Jonas’ Marius. Vocally he was so weak it was a huge disappointment.

I love the new concert recording, but it’s clear Ball & Boe were both fighting colds etc and not on top form. It’s the younger cast that make this for me Shan Ako, Carrie HF and Rob Houchen with Bradley Jaden stealing every moment he’s on stage.

But if you’re discounting that one and I had to choose between the others I guess 10th tips it, with an extra point for the bursting balloon almost taking out little Cosette.

[Deleted]

Interesting topic.

I much prefer the 25th at the O2 for a few reasons:
- The orchestrations were so much better by this point, and the sound quality on the bu-ray is a million times better than the RAH
- The staging and set were great for a concert at the O2
- The venue didn't impact the show. It was at the O2, but once the lights go down it could have been anywhere. The venue has no impact and you focus 100% on Les Miserables. Concerts at the RAH are always very much "Les Mis AT the RAH." The venue is imposing and you cannot escape the fact that it is Les Mis framed by the RAH. Phantom was the same. Also the acoustics there are appalling. Now, I appreciate that this is very much personal taste and that many people love the feeling of such an impressive and historic venue. But for me personally, I like it when all you see are the cast, orchestra, set and lighting rig.

The one thing that was better at the RAH however was the cast. Sadly Nick Jonas' Marius is SO weak it does really impact the overall feel. Pantomime Thenardier has never been my preference though I understand the masses love it so they seem to have to go with it for these concerts. Matt Lucas I think is much better now in the Gielgud version. Not sure why, but I wasn't a fan of his O2 performance. Perhaps he just became more comfortable in the role.

On which topic, I think the Gielgud/Sondheim staged concert is much better than the RAH or the O2. I just think in general musical theatre is more suited to theatres rather than huge concert venues. There is so much intimacy that is lost in the latter.