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Post by justafan on Dec 7, 2019 14:38:13 GMT
I am - looking forward to hearing Bradley Jayden’s interpretation of ‘Stars’ and wondering if he will sing it in the higher key he demonstrated on Monday 🤞 So the duet with Bradley and Michael was in the same key as the actual song when performed in the show, but Bradley sang some higher harmonies along with Michael for the encore because it was a duet and, well, he can! Obviously I can't say for sure as I'm not in the rehearsal room but I should think he'll most certainly be singing it as written when the production reopens! [/quote I loved the harmonies then 😍 I have zero music knowledge but Claude Schoenberg did - I believe - in his speech say that Bradley sang it as he intended it to be sung - so I incorrectly assumed he sang it in a different key - I’m at an Encore performance tonight so I’ll listen more closely to Claude’s speech 😀😀
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Post by justafan on Dec 7, 2019 0:56:05 GMT
Same thread, new title. So who’s going to opening night? I am - looking forward to hearing Bradley Jayden’s interpretation of ‘Stars’ and wondering if he will sing it in the higher key he demonstrated on Monday 🤞
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Post by justafan on Nov 30, 2019 14:50:56 GMT
I used to follow JOJ on twitter. I didn’t get the impression that he’s a shrinking violet. Good for him, he’s saved the producers necks by being brilliant. Imagine if Alfie’s second had been less than up to it! I hope JOJ has been rewarded appropriately. I saw him in the unmasked workshop at the other palace and they had a bit where all the cast said who they were and why they loved Andrew and or has worked for him. John Owen Jones walked up and said ‘I’m John Owen Jones’ and walked back. Legend. Plus Alexander Armstrong asked him on Pointless where his favourite place to sing JVJ or BHH - sorry I forget which - and he said ‘Wales’ 😂😂😂 - not totally convinced that was the anticipated answer
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Post by justafan on Nov 24, 2019 0:37:26 GMT
Here’s a thought - how about offering in ticket price an optional insurance to pay double the price - so if the ‘star’ isn’t there you get your money back - let’s see how devoted these ‘Fans’ really are 😀
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Post by justafan on Nov 24, 2019 0:25:25 GMT
I’ve got tickets for Dec 2nd and I’d love to see any if not all of the 4 “names” replaced by their understudies as I know from personal experience that JOJ, Earl and whoever is understudy to Thenardier played by a character from little Britain for laughs are better than Ball, Boe and the one joke wonder from little Britain. However, as it’s the one going out to cinemas I have a feeling they’ll miraculously recover like sarah brightman did in POTO for opening or press night or whatever it was. The people who have seen shows this week probably don’t realise how lucky they are! Oh I do - I do I do I do 😀😀😀
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Post by justafan on Nov 23, 2019 23:47:33 GMT
Show came out tonight just after 10pm -From a 7.35ish start - had forgotten how short the second act is and bearing in mind this was first performance no doubt minutes will be cut from run time - I loved it - Ellen Kane’s choreo is amazing in my opinion - but then I don’t think I’ve not loved anything I’ve seen that Nikolai Foster has done at the Curve
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Post by justafan on Nov 23, 2019 13:28:01 GMT
Last Monday there was a couple selling tickets to the returns queue as they thought they’d booked a full musical and hadn’t realised it was a concert version. 🤪
Quite possibly I’m the only theatre goer who silently cheered when she saw the notice in the foyer that Earl Carpenter was Javert. Not that I wish Michael Ball to be ill but just to have the choice to see/hear Earl Carpenter in the role again
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Post by justafan on Nov 22, 2019 19:42:50 GMT
Both Alfie and Michael are off again - so another #notBallnotBoe show tonight - do hope the audience is as respectful tonight as they were last night and that the hecklers aren’t in
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Post by justafan on Nov 22, 2019 14:51:10 GMT
Earl Carpenter am£ John Owen Jones tonight with a Stephen Matthews Thenardier and Rosanna Bates as Fantine - what a gorgeous evening 😀 I was there!! The least "all-star" (as advertised) cast but personally my best experience of the concert so far. People applauded the performers for their performance and not for their celebrity, quelle horreur! Don't think I can go back to John/Michael or even Alfie/Earl. John/Earl are truly the dream team. In my personal opinion of course. Craig Mather understudied Marius as well, his Empty Chairs was highly emotional, as well as Earl Carpenter's outstanding suicide scene- voices breaking all round but boy did I feel their inner turmoil! Wonderful, wonderful night. Stage door queue 1/3rd of usual crowd thanks to the absence of "stars". No shouty lady. Fantastic performance I won't forget anytime soon. It was a wonderful evening where the show was the winner rather than the ‘stars’ tho Mr Carpenter’s ‘Stars’ was the finest I’ve ever heard including the other times I’ve seen him as Javert. The blend of his and John Owen Jones’ voices is quite extraordinary
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Post by justafan on Nov 22, 2019 1:02:19 GMT
Earl Carpenter am£ John Owen Jones tonight with a Stephen Matthews Thenardier and Rosanna Bates as Fantine - what a gorgeous evening 😀
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Post by justafan on Nov 18, 2019 21:11:15 GMT
Tried to be there but for a Japanese girl at front of returns queue who bought up any returns by cash - first time I saw a delfont mackintosh member of staff was to tell me - ‘no returns’
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Post by justafan on Nov 18, 2019 18:08:44 GMT
I remember that the West Yorkshire Playhouse version was superior to the west end version - simply because (1j the actors/dancers sang as well as acted/danced and (2) they didn’t need a wally strand - tho I admit I loved Ivan de Freitas - saw him twice!,
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Post by justafan on Nov 17, 2019 17:57:26 GMT
Apparantly Michael Ball is off tonight sick. Noooooooo does that mean I missed an Earl Carpenter ‘Stars’? 😭😭😭 edit: so it appears, yes I did!
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Post by justafan on Nov 17, 2019 17:56:14 GMT
Alfie was JVJ on Broadway then, so some form of video message (ill or not) was inevitable He was due to be there for the 4 Valjeans encore. I was in the audience and Cameron announced his no show. I seem to remember his video message was cue cards as he was on vocal rest. JOJ had to do the big Alfie key change instead, and yes he nailed it 😄 I was there as well - yep JOJ nailed it 😄
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Post by justafan on Nov 12, 2019 17:29:31 GMT
Saw Josh Piterman a few weeks back now. At the interval, I have to admit I wasn't a HUGE fan of him, but his Final Lair blew me away (and was perhaps the best performance I've ever seen from a Phantom). Genuinely amazing. I’m there next week - I’ve not been for a couple of years but love the music and somehow managed to pick up a really cheap front row seat - who is the Raoul these days?
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Post by justafan on Nov 10, 2019 16:40:51 GMT
Had almost forgotten what an amazing show this is - confess I shed a tear at the ‘staircase’ scene - quite possibly my favourite scene in any musical. Applause from the cinema goers as well - assume everyone had a 10minute interval?
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Post by justafan on Nov 10, 2019 13:44:23 GMT
I’ve booked this afternoon with a view to going again on Tuesday - my local theatre also has a showing in December which I’ve already booked - wondering if seeing the film 3times is a bit OTT 🤔
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Post by justafan on Nov 9, 2019 22:54:09 GMT
Ridiculous prices in west end when tour isn’t selling ... totally stupid ... hope the actors get a huge premium for performing on west end stage to make up for lack of audiences ...
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Post by justafan on Nov 9, 2019 22:50:52 GMT
A slight technical hitch midway through Act 2 stopped the show for a few minutes so we were out at 22.30. I was at this performance too! Did you hear Jason's ad-lib when it started again after the stop? Didn't quite catch it! He said something like ‘oh I get a second try’ ... or words to that effect ... he covered very well
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Post by justafan on Nov 6, 2019 0:29:56 GMT
Just back from opening night in Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre so caught Andy Coxon’s debut - wow! To my eyes and ears not a bum note, a fluffed line or a missed cue/spot - what a pro, can’t believe it was his first show.
I thought it was really fun.. Samuel Holmes stole every scene he was in and there is a wonderful hard working Ensemble. Alan Burkett and Emma Caffrey share a delightful dance duet. It’s also a real treat to have the orchestra pit open at this theatre with a live band for a touring show - a real rarity in my experience. I loved the music!
A slight technical hitch midway through Act 2 stopped the show for a few minutes so we were out at 22.30.
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Post by justafan on Nov 4, 2019 16:44:53 GMT
Cineworld aren’t showing the concert screening, so guess I won’t be going! Don’t lose heart, my local cineworld gives details that it’s ‘coming soon’
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Post by justafan on Oct 24, 2019 22:28:28 GMT
Just out from tonight’s performance. Magic from start to finish. Was my third time overall - It was one of my first West End shows back in 2006 and I saw it again on tour in 2016. Production wise it’s pretty much as I remembered it from the tour. The West End cast take it to a new level here, with great performances from everyone. Zizzi Strallen is, as before, a wonderful Mary, matched perfectly with Charlie Stemp as Bert, who your eyes are drawn to every time he’s onstage with his extremely slick dancing. I loved Amy Griffiths and Joseph Millson as Mr and Mrs Banks, and the kids really shined considering it would have been their first performance. Claire Machin as Mrs Brill landed every single laugh, and Claire Moore made a menacing Miss Andrew. I’ve seen both of these ladies in several shows and they’re always a joy to watch. Petula Clark did very well - looked like she was having fun! Front row seats very immersive! Would highly recommend. I think this will settle in for a decent run again. I was there too in one of the loges stage right - assume you were sitting in stalls front row - was it not too close to spoil some of the illusions ?
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Post by justafan on Oct 24, 2019 9:27:05 GMT
Can I ask what the running time was last night. I’m there tonight but am on the last train home so need to gauge whether I need my running shoes 🏃♀️
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241 posts
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Post by justafan on Oct 21, 2019 17:15:25 GMT
Still no news re GILT 2020? 😢
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Post by justafan on Oct 10, 2019 21:49:01 GMT
Hmmmm, we'll see if anything comes of it. As i said, it was on there as premiering this year...then changed to next year....and now changed to no date set at all... Very disappointing
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Post by justafan on Oct 6, 2019 20:07:29 GMT
Fabulous - I’ve been waiting on this ever since I saw the work in progress at The Other Palace - as a minimum I’d like Jamie moscato and Joshua Denver to play the brothers - but accept time has moved on ...
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Post by justafan on Oct 6, 2019 20:03:18 GMT
Do you mind me asking how many Times.you have seen les mis staged concert. I could only Afford the once with the ticket prices! Best ticket i ever got esp for JVJ!😃 I’ve seen it twice with three more trips booked - all from the Upper circle leg breaking slip seats (thanks for the warning Theatremonkey) - unfortunately a £9 an hour job won’t allow me to book a posh seat!! Regardless - both performances so far have blown me away - and I have no doubt the remaining three (including final performance) will be just as fabulous
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Post by justafan on Oct 2, 2019 17:58:13 GMT
That was me - and I’m back for the matinee today - another JOJ show hopefully - assune Alfie did the Monday and Tuesday so JOJ will be well rested JOJ did the Monday show. Well ... John Owen Jones was on fire at today’s matinee - absolutely played it perfectly - I have another two shows to enjoy that richness of voice - BHH was to die for 😍
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Post by justafan on Oct 2, 2019 11:47:16 GMT
Sat in AA1 of the gods tonight. The view isn't too bad considering the price at less than 20 pounds. A previous poster mentioned that JOJ sounded and looked tired last week when he stepped in for AB several times. But I am happy to report he was back to his usual very high standard tonight. I think the young members of the cast are very lucky. It must be like having a masterclass in musical theatre every night and getting paid. Lucky cast and lucky audience. That was me - and I’m back for the matinee today - another JOJ show hopefully - assune Alfie did the Monday and Tuesday so JOJ will be well rested
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Post by justafan on Sept 30, 2019 7:55:39 GMT
Has anyone heard if there is a Get Into London Theatre 2020 ...
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