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Post by Someone in a tree on Jan 9, 2019 12:13:53 GMT
Trev Nunn was very vocal about the 25th anniversary one. I can't imagine he's delighted by this news. I bet he's had to cancel a cruise or a new conservatory in 2019. The sale of denim will plummet
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 12:40:22 GMT
Yes, there's no revolve, but it's pretty much the same. What the what now? 'Les Mis' without the revolve is like 'Cats' without the leg warmers, 'Phantom' without the mask, Sheridan Smith without a technical difficulty or Tom Bateman without a Ryan. It's a world gone mad.
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Post by zak97 on Jan 9, 2019 12:42:15 GMT
Yes, there's no revolve, but it's pretty much the same. What the what now? 'Les Mis' without the revolve is like 'Cats' without the leg warmers, 'Phantom' without the mask, Sheridan Smith without a technical difficulty or Tom Bateman without a Ryan. It's a world gone mad. It’s like 42nd Street without the stairs, or Patti without a vodka stinger.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 12:47:40 GMT
What the what now? 'Les Mis' without the revolve is like 'Cats' without the leg warmers, 'Phantom' without the mask, Sheridan Smith without a technical difficulty or Tom Bateman without a Ryan. It's a world gone mad. It’s like 42nd Street without the stairs, or Patti without a vodka stinger. Or indeed Patti with a mobile phone. Mid-show.
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Post by zak97 on Jan 9, 2019 15:04:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 17:03:57 GMT
Overreacting much?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 17:05:38 GMT
It's got close to 1000 signatures so some care. It won't change anything though, it never does in these circumstances.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 17:35:50 GMT
Has it been made clear which production will be playing the Gielgud?
The press release says, "While the Queen’s Theatre is being restored, LES MISÉRABLES will continue in performance on Shaftesbury Avenue with exciting plans being announced shortly for a four-month season at the Gielgud Theatre from the end of July 2019." That's a gap of two weeks, which makes me think they'll be moving the original set from the Queens. That would also make the reopening of the Queens with the new production all the grander.
I'd love it if the "exciting plans" were to stage the original original version, in all its Barbican glory, in the Gielgud for four months, to say goodbye to this production.
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Post by Jon on Jan 9, 2019 17:46:24 GMT
I suspect that the Gielgud run will also be the new production as well.
As has been said, it's weird that Cameron wants to keep Les Mis at the Queens, I know it's been there 15 years but it'd be nice to have a new show there.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 18:23:26 GMT
It wouldn't surprise me if Cameron Mackintosh tried to claim continuity between the two productions so the show retains the longest-running title but it would be farcical if he did, not to mention false advertising. Having the same producer is not nearly enough. Once you no longer have the same director, set designer, lighting designer etc then you no longer have the same production. Effectively this will be an unusual case of a revival immediately replacing the original. So interesting isn't it - I guess people can claim whatever they like - there's no law to stop them? But we are in completely uncharted territory here! As you say "effectively this will be an unusual case of a revival immediately replacing the original." Sums it up perfectly! I can't think of this ever happening before so guess there is no right or wrong answer. Who knows..... Re: The Gielgud - from what I can tell it hasn't been announced what version this will be. As it is at cast change though my guess would be new - would be daft to have new cast learning original, to then have to convert to new in December. OR it could be something totally different.
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Post by TallPaul on Jan 9, 2019 18:28:55 GMT
Final night is the 13th July 2019 at the Queens. All performances to that date are now on sale at normal prices at delfontmackintosh.co.uk. The 13th July 2019 is the very last performance of the original production with the turntable. Late July 2019 the "new version" without turntable goes to the Gielgud Theatre. December 2019 the "new version" without turntable moves over to the Queens Theatre. Worth repeating, I thought.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 18:44:18 GMT
This is so confusing.
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Post by shady23 on Jan 9, 2019 18:52:43 GMT
I'm not the biggest fan of this show but have been swept up in the excitement and drama and have also booked a ticket for the "closing night".
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 18:54:07 GMT
From the official press release: "The Original London production at the Queen’s Theatre will play until 13 July 2019. The theatre will then close for four months of rebuilding work both backstage and in the auditorium as well as adding many much-needed new lavatories to the front of house. This work will restore architect W.G. Sprague’s original boxes and loges which, along with the entire front of house, were destroyed by a bomb in 1940 and caused the theatre to be closed for 20 years. The restored Queen’s Theatre will reopen in December of 2019 with the New production of LES MISÉRABLES, continuing its phenomenal run indefinitely. A brilliant company is now being put together and bookings will open in February. While the Queen’s Theatre is being restored, LES MISÉRABLES will continue in performance on Shaftesbury Avenue with exciting plans being announced shortly for a four-month season at the Gielgud Theatre from the end of July 2019." So, though I did take it to mean the new version, but there now appears room for doubt, on re-reading. Yes, that was my doubt. The press release seems to suggest that a new company is being put together for the reopening of the Queens in December. And it strikes me as odd that Cameron would reopen his refurbished theatre with a production that has already been playing next door for four months, when he could open it with the buzz of the West End premier of this new revised Les Mis.
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Post by 49thand8th on Jan 9, 2019 18:58:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 18:59:40 GMT
More I think about it, I wonder if Gielgud something totally different. Dunno what though! Concert version with a dream cast selected from previous casts? Fingers crossed for something fabulous. Patti could just kept her current dressing room.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 19:01:41 GMT
Plays into their hand really. No such thing as bad publicity. And the powers that be know that!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2019 23:52:43 GMT
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 10, 2019 0:35:03 GMT
From the official press release: "The Original London production at the Queen’s Theatre will play until 13 July 2019. The theatre will then close for four months of rebuilding work both backstage and in the auditorium as well as adding many much-needed new lavatories to the front of house. This work will restore architect W.G. Sprague’s original boxes and loges which, along with the entire front of house, were destroyed by a bomb in 1940 and caused the theatre to be closed for 20 years. The restored Queen’s Theatre will reopen in December of 2019 with the New production of LES MISÉRABLES, continuing its phenomenal run indefinitely. A brilliant company is now being put together and bookings will open in February. While the Queen’s Theatre is being restored, LES MISÉRABLES will continue in performance on Shaftesbury Avenue with exciting plans being announced shortly for a four-month season at the Gielgud Theatre from the end of July 2019." So, though I did take it to mean the new version, but there now appears room for doubt, on re-reading. I was walking down Shaftesbury Avenue to go to the Gielgud to see Company and if you look at the Les Miserable sign the one that stands proud to the theatre. Look closely at poor Cosette, you can now see a tear run down her cheek.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 1:09:31 GMT
I find it hysterical that some of those who want new things in the West End are signing to save the original Les Mis, which has run for over 35 years. Don't get me wrong, I don't want the show to close. I just thought that's a fun fact.
And those comparing the Les Mis revolve to the umbrella, the chandelier, the helicopter, etc... Those are part of the story. The revolve is just a device to help telling the story. Yes, it's ICONIC, I know, but still, I think people are overreacting. But hey, that's just my opinion, I'm sorry if that's an unpopular one.
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Post by knutinkerbell on Jan 10, 2019 5:38:35 GMT
It is hysterical. Saw Les Mis 1995 for the first time at the Palace. It was pure theatre magic for me. The set in that theatre was just perfect. Saw it about thirty times after my first visit. What I still miss is the orchestra and the orchestral parts that were cut. It doesn't matter for me if there's a revolve and Eljoras hanging between dolls. I'm looking forward to see a new version.
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Post by scarpia on Jan 10, 2019 10:25:37 GMT
I think the problem is that the Connor version is not a genuinely new version. As Trevor Nunn himself says, it's a variant production of which all the good bits come straight out of the Nunn/Caird original. Change for change's sake doesn't really make much sense when you're replacing something superior with something inferior.
If people want a new Miz, then fine - get a brand new creative team with a brand new vision who aren't simply trying to ape the Nunn/Caird original to keep familiarity yet cut costs for Sir Cameron who doesn't fancy paying any more royalties to the original creatives, rather than replacing a much more detailed and considered piece with an already decade-old touring production.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 11:08:10 GMT
I find it hysterical that some of those who want new things in the West End are signing to save the original Les Mis, which has run for over 35 years. Don't get me wrong, I don't want the show to close. I just thought that's a fun fact. And those comparing the Les Mis revolve to the umbrella, the chandelier, the helicopter, etc... Those are part of the story. The revolve is just a device to help telling the story. Yes, it's ICONIC, I know, but still, I think people are overreacting. But hey, that's just my opinion, I'm sorry if that's an unpopular one. But the revolve is part of the storytelling, certain scenes are simply not as affective without it. And you don't need an actual helicopter in miss Saigon or the chandelier doesn't have to fall in Phantom either. It's not just about the loss of the revolve though, as has been highlighted in a variety of posts. to me the biggest one is the moral one regarding the original creative team.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 12:29:13 GMT
If the West End gets a new production, do we get a new thread?
hypothetical
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Post by Jon on Jan 10, 2019 16:46:41 GMT
Surely when a show downsizes like Les Mis has already and other shows like Mamma Mia! then those shows aren't the original production either? There are shows like Wicked or The Lion King where they make changes to the production even during the lifespan of the show so really it's very rare for a show to still be exactly the same after so many decades.
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Post by scarpia on Jan 10, 2019 17:29:54 GMT
Surely when a show downsizes like Les Mis has already and other shows like Mamma Mia! then those shows aren't the original production either? There are shows like Wicked or The Lion King where they make changes to the production even during the lifespan of the show so really it's very rare for a show to still be exactly the same after so many decades. They're the same production if they largely follow the format of the original and have the same creative team. In this case, the entire creative team is being ditched and replaced with a new one. Once you change the director, set designer, lighting designer etc and the blocking is completely different, you can't legitimately claim it's the same production.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 21:37:57 GMT
Surely when a show downsizes like Les Mis has already and other shows like Mamma Mia! then those shows aren't the original production either? There are shows like Wicked or The Lion King where they make changes to the production even during the lifespan of the show so really it's very rare for a show to still be exactly the same after so many decades. They're the same production if they largely follow the format of the original and have the same creative team. In this case, the entire creative team is being ditched and replaced with a new one. Once you change the director, set designer, lighting designer etc and the blocking is completely different, you can't legitimately claim it's the same production. Agree - that's where the crux lies for me - different creative team = different production (all be it the new team have taken huge influence from the original). Quite surprised the final show hasn't sold out yet - reckon it's cos most of the fan base don't know that it's bye-bye to the original yet....
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Post by gmoneyoutlaw on Jan 11, 2019 1:28:48 GMT
Just think about it. Les Miz can be nominated for best revival in 2020.
Shows change every night, ask an actor. Long running shows change over time. I saw School Of Rock on Monday and the doubling has changed to eliminate/reduce the cast. They may have done this a while ago to cut expenses.
When you bring in a different director and designers, it's a revival. If the Olivier's don't acknowledge this I'd be surprised.
Did Les Miz make it to 35 years?
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Post by cheesy116 on Jan 11, 2019 3:01:13 GMT
Just think about it. Les Miz can be nominated for best revival in 2020. Shows change every night, ask an actor. Long running shows change over time. I saw School Of Rock on Monday and the doubling has changed to eliminate/reduce the cast. They may have done this a while ago to cut expenses. When you bring in a different director and designers, it's a revival. If the Olivier's don't acknowledge this I'd be surprised. Did Les Miz make it to 35 years? I'm not sure what you mean by the 'doubling' in School of Rock ? What's changed in the show since it opened ?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2019 3:07:56 GMT
Just think about it. Les Miz can be nominated for best revival in 2020. Shows change every night, ask an actor. Long running shows change over time. I saw School Of Rock on Monday and the doubling has changed to eliminate/reduce the cast. They may have done this a while ago to cut expenses. When you bring in a different director and designers, it's a revival. If the Olivier's don't acknowledge this I'd be surprised. Did Les Miz make it to 35 years? I'm not sure what you mean by the 'doubling' in School of Rock ? What's changed in the show since it opened ? I'm assuming actors playing multiple characters.
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