885 posts
|
Post by lonlad on Aug 13, 2019 15:15:08 GMT
Of course one CAN figure it out but this board isn't intended to be some elaborate cryptogram. More clarity, please, less compression.
|
|
776 posts
|
Post by latefortheoverture on Aug 13, 2019 19:17:27 GMT
Managed to find some great stalls seats for a shockingly good price (in regards to their prices)- on an Alfie Boe night, for me and my grandparents. They must think I run the theatre- every time I spoke to them they'd ask if I had the seats!! I had to lie, but felt quite confident I would manage to find some!
Because of this, I have 2 £17 grand circle slip seats for Friday 30th August for sale. Just want what I paid for them £34. They're on the left-hand side looking at the stage, nearest to the grand circle. Message me if you'd like them!
|
|
4,631 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Aug 13, 2019 19:58:40 GMT
How is this version for gunshots and explosions? Is this finally a chance for those of us who don’t like them to watch the show in comfort? they don't have any guns that are used. There is a sound effect but I would usually stick my fingers in my ears because I knew where they were. This I didn't need to. they don't have any guns that are used. There is a sound effect but I would usually stick my fingers in my ears because I knew where they were. This I didn't need to. Brilliant, thanks. I’m fine with sound effects. Sit back and relax, there is no gunshots, sound effects from the sound desk, but they’re not that loud. I speak as one who hates the gunshots in the conventional one.
|
|
4,631 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Aug 13, 2019 20:03:54 GMT
You're in a LM thread and you can't figure out JVJ is Jean Valjean? Of course one CAN figure it out but this board isn't intended to be some elaborate cryptogram. More clarity, please, less compression. This is more common on BWW. How harder is it to type Jean Valjean than JVJ, not much difference, just one is being a lazy. As I said it is more common on BWW board, even people start threads with this, just no. As it happens I thought JVJ was John Owen Jones.
|
|
18,837 posts
|
Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 13, 2019 20:09:31 GMT
You're in a LM thread and you can't figure out JVJ is Jean Valjean? Of course one CAN figure it out but this board isn't intended to be some elaborate cryptogram. More clarity, please, less compression. This is more common on BWW. How harder is it to type Jean Valjean than JVJ, not much difference, just one is being a lazy. As I said it is more common on BWW board, even people start threads with this, just no. As it happens I thought JVJ was John Owen Jones. What does BWW mean? 😉
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2019 20:10:32 GMT
Of course one CAN figure it out but this board isn't intended to be some elaborate cryptogram. More clarity, please, less compression. This is more common on BWW. How harder is it to type Jean Valjean than JVJ, not much difference, just one is being a lazy. As I said it is more common on BWW board, even people start threads with this, just no. As it happens I thought JVJ was John Owen Jones. BWW would be Broadway World? 😉
|
|
4,631 posts
|
Post by Phantom of London on Aug 14, 2019 16:54:31 GMT
This is more common on BWW. How harder is it to type Jean Valjean than JVJ, not much difference, just one is being a lazy. As I said it is more common on BWW board, even people start threads with this, just no. As it happens I thought JVJ was John Owen Jones. What does BWW mean? 😉 Ha, you wouldn't want to know!!!!!!
|
|
2,041 posts
|
Post by 49thand8th on Aug 14, 2019 17:55:13 GMT
This is more common on BWW. How harder is it to type Jean Valjean than JVJ, not much difference, just one is being a lazy. As I said it is more common on BWW board, even people start threads with this, just no. As it happens I thought JVJ was John Owen Jones. What does BWW mean? 😉 BroadwayWorld
|
|
|
Post by mrmushnik on Aug 14, 2019 22:44:13 GMT
Saw this tonight. It looks impressive, set and lighting are amazing as is the orchestra.
Mr Boe sings it as if he's performing La Boheme and gets away with doing that in this concert format. His acting is woeful and there is no subtlety whatsoever, everything is telegraphed and he's physically rigid throughout. There is no inner struggle whatsoever.
Michael Ball is the disappointment of the evening. He just isn't able to sing Javert. He backphrases to buggery and struggles for the money notes. Ego over ability, I'm afraid. I wonder if Cameron would allow any other performer to deliver such a poor performance?
Carrie H-F is beautiful. Her voice is sublime and she delivers all the emotion as well as doing justice to IDAD.
Matt Lucas is doing his panto/Little Britain turn. I would love to see a darker interpretation and vocally he is weak.
Katy Secombe is brilliant as Mme T. Delivers what it says on the tin as does Bradley Jayden's charismatic Enjolras.
Rob Houchen makes very little impression as Marius, preferring to play it like he is in a Merchant-Ivory classic and not as a young man feeling the thunderbolts of love for the first time.
The Ensemble are terrific. Loads of seasoned pros and Les Mis alumni all doing very little, but looking and sounding fantastic. They are the best thing in it for me as well as the wonderful Eponine, whose name escapes me. Apologies.
Apart from Carrie the other three names on the poster are the let down with Ball being the worst. Paid £95 for my ticket and slightly resent it although I believe the the pros outwieighed the cons.
|
|
3,927 posts
|
Post by Dawnstar on Aug 15, 2019 16:35:21 GMT
Had a moan in today that the lighting is so bright those in the front rows of the stalls were dazzled and couldn't see Alfie Boe at times. Given the comments above about his lack of acting, does not being able to see him actually matter? ;-)
|
|
1,445 posts
|
Post by steve10086 on Aug 15, 2019 22:56:37 GMT
So glad I chose to go on a John Owen Jones night.
Goes without saying that we was amazing.
|
|
523 posts
|
Post by vabbian on Aug 18, 2019 10:49:19 GMT
Anyone know if they're doing standing tickets for this?
|
|
349 posts
|
Post by kimbahorel on Aug 18, 2019 17:47:24 GMT
Anyone know if they're doing standing tickets for this? Apparently they are from 22nd onwards on sold out shows.
|
|
|
Post by ruthieh on Aug 18, 2019 20:18:18 GMT
I saw the matinee yesterday. I thought this production was really special. The cast and orchestra and crew are clearly committed to reinventing Les Mis in the limits of the space available at The Gielgud, and although it’s a concert version, there is a lot of ‘business’, the costumes and simple staging, and characterisation are all there. I thought the leads did a really great job. Alfie was JVJ sang it stunningly. I don’t agree that Michael Ball’s Javert was no match. I thought in playing this role against ‘type’ he did a great job. His suicide scene was incredibly moving. Carrie Hope Fisher made a beautiful impression as Fantine. Matt and Katy Secombe wee a tour de frorce as the Thenadiers....I also loved Eponine. And as for young Gavroche, what a cutie! The ensemble were all stars... The audience clearly loved it. I saw the recent touring version at Milton Keynes and was under no illusion that this would be different. What surprised me was the many similarities. But the love and respect and enjoyment the cast are clearly having shines through.
|
|
318 posts
|
Post by Scswp on Aug 19, 2019 6:14:06 GMT
Saw this tonight. It looks impressive, set and lighting are amazing as is the orchestra. Mr Boe sings it as if he's performing La Boheme and gets away with doing that in this concert format. His acting is woeful and there is no subtlety whatsoever, everything is telegraphed and he's physically rigid throughout. There is no inner struggle whatsoever. Michael Ball is the disappointment of the evening. He just isn't able to sing Javert. He backphrases to buggery and struggles for the money notes. Ego over ability, I'm afraid. I wonder if Cameron would allow any other performer to deliver such a poor performance? Carrie H-F is beautiful. Her voice is sublime and she delivers all the emotion as well as doing justice to IDAD. Matt Lucas is doing his panto/Little Britain turn. I would love to see a darker interpretation and vocally he is weak. Katy Secombe is brilliant as Mme T. Delivers what it says on the tin as does Bradley Jayden's charismatic Enjolras. Rob Houchen makes very little impression as Marius, preferring to play it like he is in a Merchant-Ivory classic and not as a young man feeling the thunderbolts of love for the first time. The Ensemble are terrific. Loads of seasoned pros and Les Mis alumni all doing very little, but looking and sounding fantastic. They are the best thing in it for me as well as the wonderful Eponine, whose name escapes me. Apologies. Apart from Carrie the other three names on the poster are the let down with Ball being the worst. Paid £95 for my ticket and slightly resent it although I believe the the pros outwieighed the cons. Michael Ball struggling for Javert’s money notes? Really? I’m surprised. Ball’s voice has lowered slightly, but Javert is a baritone role and his money notes are both relatively low and are quite infrequent. How can Ball be struggling to sing this, yet sing the role in Chess that he did a couple of years ago. Which parts of the score is he struggling to hit or sustain? Please could you clarify? Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2019 8:39:03 GMT
I saw the recent touring version at Milton Keynes and was under no illusion that this would be different. What surprised me was the many similarities. I think they are both directed by Lawrence Connor. Also using the same orchestrations (all be it expanded for the Gielgud). So even though this is a 'staged concert' the overall feeling should be similar! Anyway, glad you enjoyed it. Can't wait to go in a few weeks :-)
|
|
255 posts
|
Post by grannyjx6 on Aug 19, 2019 19:32:56 GMT
Apparently they are from 22nd onwards on sold out shows. Confirmed as 12 standing places in the rear stalls, £15 each, to personal callers at the box office from 10am, strictly ONE per person.
Much as I love Les Mis and all the singers/actors in the concert version, 3.5 hours is way too long for me to consider standing. Mind you, I've already got two tickets to see it (in fairly uncomfortable seats admittedly) so quite happy with that.
|
|
2,041 posts
|
Post by 49thand8th on Aug 19, 2019 19:33:54 GMT
What production of this show is still 3.5 hours long?!
|
|
349 posts
|
Post by kimbahorel on Aug 19, 2019 21:39:04 GMT
Confirmed as 12 standing places in the rear stalls, £15 each, to personal callers at the box office from 10am, strictly ONE per person.
Much as I love Les Mis and all the singers/actors in the concert version, 3.5 hours is way too long for me to consider standing. Mind you, I've already got two tickets to see it (in fairly uncomfortable seats admittedly) so quite happy with that.
It comes in at around 2hrs and 50mins at the moment. I think the concert is actually a tad shorter than what the Queens show was.
|
|
542 posts
|
Post by andrew on Aug 19, 2019 22:17:57 GMT
Apparently they are from 22nd onwards on sold out shows. Confirmed as 12 standing places in the rear stalls, £15 each, to personal callers at the box office from 10am, strictly ONE per person. Thanks for the info! Do you think that the view from these will be better than the upper circle slips?
|
|
|
Post by miz on Aug 19, 2019 22:42:37 GMT
Went tonight and cried my eyes out. JOJ has got to be the best JVJ of all time. His acting (his eyes!!) and singing were beyond perfect.
Earl Carpenter is one of the greatest Javert ever, but not playing the role? What a waste.
Mr Ball went funny at "reprieeeeeeeeve". But I still like his voice.
Young characters were played with refreshing honesty, if that's the word.
In a nutshell, an unforgettable evening.
|
|
638 posts
|
Post by Oleanna on Aug 20, 2019 3:57:28 GMT
Simon Bowman gone!
Earl Carpenter now playing The Bishop of Digne AND Bamatabois?
|
|
|
Post by miz on Aug 20, 2019 6:36:11 GMT
Which role was Earl supposed to play in the first place?
Artistically, Earl Carpenter should be playing Javert with JOJ as JVJ every day.
I must also mention how impressed I was by the wonderful direction and lighting. And the orchestra!
It may be called a concert version, but in spirit, it is a fully-staged one. So, I would be still resentful if someone treated it as his own recital even for just one aria.
|
|
11 posts
|
Post by sandman on Aug 20, 2019 7:13:57 GMT
Simon Bowman gone! Earl Carpenter now playing The Bishop of Digne AND Bamatabois? What happened to Simon Bowman then??! He’s disappeared off the cast list. :-(
|
|
349 posts
|
Post by kimbahorel on Aug 20, 2019 8:47:29 GMT
Simon Bowman gone! Earl Carpenter now playing The Bishop of Digne AND Bamatabois? damn saw a few cast boards recently and couldn't for the life of me figure out who was missing... went though every name using the website as a reference. And now I just realised who it was!! He has been gone for sonething like a week then.
|
|
241 posts
|
Post by justafan on Aug 20, 2019 11:17:23 GMT
Simon Bowman gone! Earl Carpenter now playing The Bishop of Digne AND Bamatabois? Has Simon ‘gone’ gone or could he be off sick or on holiday?
|
|
1,010 posts
|
Post by David J on Aug 20, 2019 11:31:08 GMT
|
|
688 posts
|
Post by sophie92 on Aug 20, 2019 11:44:49 GMT
Simon Bowman gone! Earl Carpenter now playing The Bishop of Digne AND Bamatabois? Has Simon ‘gone’ gone or could he be off sick or on holiday? He’s no longer listed in the cast on the official website
|
|
|
Post by miz on Aug 20, 2019 17:03:29 GMT
Wow, what a brilliant article. Thank you, David J.
He says Trunchball is the only role he wishes he had played and he would be awesome. If I can add another role, that's George in La Cage aux Folles.
|
|
578 posts
|
Post by lou105 on Aug 21, 2019 10:14:20 GMT
Is the most beautiful part of the show in this production? "I will pay what I must pay To take Cosette away. There is a duty I must heed There is a promise I have made For I was blind to one in need I did not see what stood before me Now her mother is with God Fantine's suffering is over And I speak here with her voice And I stand here in her place And from this day and evermore Cosette shall live in my protection I shall not forget my vow Cosette shall have a father now" It's there but Matt Lucas talked over it quite a lot.. This was quite an afternoon! Can't remember when I last heard cheering like it at curtain call on a weekday afternoon. Largely very strong performances on a John Owen Jones day. Sadly I echo the views that Michael Ball's Javert isn't quite there, though he was better in the second half. I got more integrity and motivation from Bradley Jaden's Enjolras. A very enthusiastic but largely respectful audience. A few "Oo I like this one" mutterings and I did my best to be accepting of the approx 10 year old next to me who was asking genuine, if ill-timed questions. A celebration of public affection for the show, really. Expensive at £58 for mid upper circle but glad to have seen it.
|
|