347 posts
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Post by Sam on Jan 24, 2018 15:55:26 GMT
I managed to get tickets for tomorrow evening in the frenzied New Year Sale. It's my first time seeing the show- though I have wanted to for some time- so I've got nothing to compare it to other than the film (which I enjoyed). It will be a return visit for my mum, so I'll see what she says about whether she thinks it was better this time or the last.
I've been looking forward to this for a while so quite excited now! Then we're off to the Harry Potter Studio Tour on Friday for the last vestiges of Christmas at Hogwarts!
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349 posts
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Post by kimbahorel on Jan 24, 2018 15:59:37 GMT
There were a few understudies on last night, Katie Kerr as Mrs T, she was brilliant, she got a lot of laughs. Catherine Hannay was probably the best Cosette I've ever seen which is saying something because I usually find Cosette so dull, she's so wet. Catherine actually gave her some personality and for once I enjoyed watching her. I loved watching Katie as Mme Thenardier I really hope she plans on staying on a 2nd year. I only saw Catherine from standing in upper circle I really enjoyed her performance. I was really tempted today to get ticket on the off chance she would still be on covering but she is not today though. |
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Post by Stephen on Jan 24, 2018 16:01:50 GMT
I had a peek this morning on the Mackintosh site to see if I could grab a last minute slip seat. £52.25! I sat in the slips a few years ago for around £10. Those seats aren't worth paying more than £20 for in my opinion.
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349 posts
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Post by kimbahorel on Jan 24, 2018 16:24:40 GMT
I had a peek this morning on the Mackintosh site to see if I could grab a last minute slip seat. £52.25! I sat in the slips a few years ago for around £10. Those seats aren't worth paying more than £20 for in my opinion. In March those two ends seats each side of the slips go up to £60 at face value!!!! I said that before the ones closest to the stage are now £25 but go up to £30 in March! |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Jan 24, 2018 17:01:46 GMT
I had a peek this morning on the Mackintosh site to see if I could grab a last minute slip seat. £52.25! I sat in the slips a few years ago for around £10. Those seats aren't worth paying more than £20 for in my opinion. In March those two ends seats each side of the slips go up to £60 at face value!!!! I said that before the ones closest to the stage are now £25 but go up to £30 in March! Wow, I've just checked this! That's astonishing, the two slips closest to the stage are my go-to seats, you miss very little and you don't have the pain in the rear of someone leaning forward and blocking your view, but, yes, they are going up to £32.25 - I considered these great value at £20 only a few years ago ... Good stalls (not the premium, sold in 4 stages at £177.25 / £127.25 / £109.75 & £92.25) are £82.25 ! |
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 24, 2018 17:09:24 GMT
This was a regular on TKTs not long ago.
Now this is one of the hottest ticket in town, wonder why?
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Post by musicalmarge on Jan 24, 2018 18:19:28 GMT
Am I getting older or are the cast members getting younger? I thought the Javert was played by actors in their 40’s not late 20’s!
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Post by 49thand8th on Jan 24, 2018 18:20:22 GMT
Am I getting older or are the cast members getting younger? I thought the Javert was played by actors in their 40’s not late 20’s! Is 35 the new 20s? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Thaxton |
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Post by kimbahorel on Jan 24, 2018 18:46:34 GMT
Am I getting older or are the cast members getting younger? I thought the Javert was played by actors in their 40’s not late 20’s! In the current cast the 1st and 2nd cover Javert are in their 20s. |
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Post by daniel on Jan 25, 2018 21:14:19 GMT
Just to offer an alternative opinion to the recent perceptions of staleness, I am thoroughly enjoying the show tonight and think it's in great shape. Disappointed that Killian is off, but Adam Bayjou is a phenomenal JVJ who I've been fortunate to see a number of times, and a worthy stand it. My god though, Karis Jack is bad. I was hoping she would have improved since my last visit in June but I think she's actually got worse. Full thoughts to come later  |
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Post by princeton on Jan 25, 2018 22:20:56 GMT
Am I getting older or are the cast members getting younger? I think that most of the current principal cast members are pretty much the same age as the original cast were when they played the roles - with the possible exception of Valjean and Enjolras. As I'm only a couple of years younger than Michael Ball it makes me feel very old! |
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Post by daniel on Jan 26, 2018 0:09:00 GMT
So, to expand on my earlier point, I thought the show was in excellent shape tonight. I've now seen the show 12 times and it's easily one of the strongest I've seen.
Adam Bayjou is an exceptional Valjean. I've been fortunate to see him a few times ever since his debut week, and he's really grown into the part over the last few years. Sure, he looks a bit on the young side but the way he ages with the character is brilliant, both in his acting and his vocals. I really like how he controls his voice at a softer level generally, but unleashes the power when it's needed. He really does deserve to be the lead and I'm sure he will be one day. Given that he's young I don't expect it to happen just yet, but I'd love him to get the promotion or even better lead the tour next year.
Really liked David Thaxton as Javert. Took a little bit of time to warm to him, I think he's a little bit passive, in the sense that at first glance it looks like he's just standing there - some of his acting nuances are so subtle, especially with his eye movements and facial expressions, but I came to really appreciate this. Also very strong vocally, his soliloquy and subsequent suicide being one of the most powerful I've seen. Didn't quite reach the God-like heights of Jeremy Secomb (with Tam Mutu not far behind) but he was streets and streets ahead of Hadyn Tee. Somewhere in between, alongside Hadley Fraser.
Carley Stenson is a really great Fantine. I liked her when I saw her previously, but felt she had more to give...tonight, she gave it her all. Really really strong vocally, and I enjoyed her acting choices. A solid performance.
Karis Jack as Eponine...sadly the less said about her, the better. I don't like criticising performers who are most likely giving it their all, but she was really poor. Vocals okay at best (some weird accent choices going on during On My Own), but the acting was poor for me. The facial gurning, screwing up of the eyes, bopping around, and waddling like a penguin chav...I don't know, it just wasn't right for me. After seeing the show at the end of this cast's first week I passed it off as her still settling in, and really hoped that she would have come on leaps and bounds by now, but sadly for me she's gone backwards. Would be very surprised if she stays at Cast Change.
Charlotte Kennedy as Cosette I've seen before and I really like - it's not the best of parts but I think she does a really good job with it.
Steven Meo is one of the vest Thénardiers that I've seen. He can actually sing for a start, which is more than can be said for most of the recent ones. I like that he doesn't just turn it into a panto baddie. You actual feel that he is an evil nasty man, rather than being so cartoonish that he's just some light comic relief amongst all the depression.
Jacqueline Tate as Mrs T didn't impress me as much this time. I didn't think her delivery was as good as it was last time so some of her lines didn't land as we'll as they could have done. I miss Katy Secombe!
Great performances from Paul Wilkins as Marius and Hyoie O'Grady as Enjolras, standing out in their solo moments.
Packed house, and a well deserved standing ovation at the end. 5 stars from me tonight!
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Post by stageyninja83 on Jan 26, 2018 0:27:31 GMT
From a conversation at sd tonight there is going to be a big cast change in June, sounded like a bit of a shake up was going to happen. Sad this means we only have 5 months of David Thaxton being back, who I think is one of the strongest Javerts I've seen.
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Post by daniel on Jan 26, 2018 0:47:30 GMT
From a conversation at sd tonight there is going to be a big cast change in June, sounded like a bit of a shake up was going to happen. Sad this means we only have 5 months of David Thaxton being back, who I think is one of the strongest Javerts I've seen. I did wonder if David would only be in until June - he only did a year during his first run, so my guess was that he would be plugging the gap until cast change! |
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Post by kimbahorel on Jan 26, 2018 4:17:12 GMT
Killian had Thursday off instead of Monday as his day off because David joined the cast on the Monday.
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Post by daniel on Jan 26, 2018 7:39:29 GMT
Killian had Thursday off instead of Monday as his day off because David joined the cast on the Monday. ah okay, thank you! It does bug me though with Les Mis that they're the only show (to the best of my knowledge) with a scheduled alternate who isn't credited as such. Adam deserves the "at certain performances" credit and the audiences deserve to know too. |
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Post by daisy24601 on Jan 26, 2018 11:39:22 GMT
So, to expand on my earlier point, I thought the show was in excellent shape tonight. I've now seen the show 12 times and it's easily one of the strongest I've seen. Adam Bayjou is an exceptional Valjean. I've been fortunate to see him a few times ever since his debut week, and he's really grown into the part over the last few years. Sure, he looks a bit on the young side but the way he ages with the character is brilliant, both in his acting and his vocals. I really like how he controls his voice at a softer level generally, but unleashes the power when it's needed. He really does deserve to be the lead and I'm sure he will be one day. Given that he's young I don't expect it to happen just yet, but I'd love him to get the promotion or even better lead the tour next year. Really liked David Thaxton as Javert. Took a little bit of time to warm to him, I think he's a little bit passive, in the sense that at first glance it looks like he's just standing there - some of his acting nuances are so subtle, especially with his eye movements and facial expressions, but I came to really appreciate this. Also very strong vocally, his soliloquy and subsequent suicide being one of the most powerful I've seen. Didn't quite reach the God-like heights of Jeremy Secomb (with Tam Mutu not far behind) but he was streets and streets ahead of Hadyn Tee. Somewhere in between, alongside Hadley Fraser. Carley Stenson is a really great Fantine. I liked her when I saw her previously, but felt she had more to give...tonight, she gave it her all. Really really strong vocally, and I enjoyed her acting choices. A solid performance. Karis Jack as Eponine...sadly the less said about her, the better. I don't like criticising performers who are most likely giving it their all, but she was really poor. Vocals okay at best (some weird accent choices going on during On My Own), but the acting was poor for me. The facial gurning, screwing up of the eyes, bopping around, and waddling like a penguin chav...I don't know, it just wasn't right for me. After seeing the show at the end of this cast's first week I passed it off as her still settling in, and really hoped that she would have come on leaps and bounds by now, but sadly for me she's gone backwards. Would be very surprised if she stays at Cast Change. Charlotte Kennedy as Cosette I've seen before and I really like - it's not the best of parts but I think she does a really good job with it. Steven Meo is one of the vest Thénardiers that I've seen. He can actually sing for a start, which is more than can be said for most of the recent ones. I like that he doesn't just turn it into a panto baddie. You actual feel that he is an evil nasty man, rather than being so cartoonish that he's just some light comic relief amongst all the depression. Jacqueline Tate as Mrs T didn't impress me as much this time. I didn't think her delivery was as good as it was last time so some of her lines didn't land as we'll as they could have done. I miss Katy Secombe! Great performances from Paul Wilkins as Marius and Hyoie O'Grady as Enjolras, standing out in their solo moments. Packed house, and a well deserved standing ovation at the end. 5 stars from me tonight! Glad to hear you enjoyed it! I think Carley is a great Fantine and I'm quite picky with Fantines. I think a few of them have improved since the first time I saw this cast in June but I have to agree on Karis. What's with the cockney accent? It also makes no sense she is black when her parents are white and she's white as a child! Are we supposed to not notice? |
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Post by daisy24601 on Jan 26, 2018 11:40:53 GMT
Killian had Thursday off instead of Monday as his day off because David joined the cast on the Monday. ah okay, thank you! It does bug me though with Les Mis that they're the only show (to the best of my knowledge) with a scheduled alternate who isn't credited as such. Adam deserves the "at certain performances" credit and the audiences deserve to know too. Agreed! He does a lot of shows and people seem to like his Valjean, he should be given some recognition. |
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Post by daniel on Jan 26, 2018 13:21:45 GMT
With regards to the "why is Eponine white as a child and then black as an adult" debate, last night's Young Ep was non Caucasian, which is a first for my viewings of the show |
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Post by kimbahorel on Jan 26, 2018 13:44:22 GMT
Killian had Thursday off instead of Monday as his day off because David joined the cast on the Monday. ah okay, thank you! It does bug me though with Les Mis that they're the only show (to the best of my knowledge) with a scheduled alternate who isn't credited as such. Adam deserves the "at certain performances" credit and the audiences deserve to know too. I know! It's such an odd thing and no proper photo either as Valjean in the picture book like other CamMac shows. Miss Siagon they have photos of the alternates it's really unfair. |
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Post by danb on Jan 26, 2018 13:59:25 GMT
So, to expand on my earlier point, I thought the show was in excellent shape tonight. I've now seen the show 12 times and it's easily one of the strongest I've seen. Adam Bayjou is an exceptional Valjean. I've been fortunate to see him a few times ever since his debut week, and he's really grown into the part over the last few years. Sure, he looks a bit on the young side but the way he ages with the character is brilliant, both in his acting and his vocals. I really like how he controls his voice at a softer level generally, but unleashes the power when it's needed. He really does deserve to be the lead and I'm sure he will be one day. Given that he's young I don't expect it to happen just yet, but I'd love him to get the promotion or even better lead the tour next year. Really liked David Thaxton as Javert. Took a little bit of time to warm to him, I think he's a little bit passive, in the sense that at first glance it looks like he's just standing there - some of his acting nuances are so subtle, especially with his eye movements and facial expressions, but I came to really appreciate this. Also very strong vocally, his soliloquy and subsequent suicide being one of the most powerful I've seen. Didn't quite reach the God-like heights of Jeremy Secomb (with Tam Mutu not far behind) but he was streets and streets ahead of Hadyn Tee. Somewhere in between, alongside Hadley Fraser. Carley Stenson is a really great Fantine. I liked her when I saw her previously, but felt she had more to give...tonight, she gave it her all. Really really strong vocally, and I enjoyed her acting choices. A solid performance. Karis Jack as Eponine...sadly the less said about her, the better. I don't like criticising performers who are most likely giving it their all, but she was really poor. Vocals okay at best (some weird accent choices going on during On My Own), but the acting was poor for me. The facial gurning, screwing up of the eyes, bopping around, and waddling like a penguin chav...I don't know, it just wasn't right for me. After seeing the show at the end of this cast's first week I passed it off as her still settling in, and really hoped that she would have come on leaps and bounds by now, but sadly for me she's gone backwards. Would be very surprised if she stays at Cast Change. Charlotte Kennedy as Cosette I've seen before and I really like - it's not the best of parts but I think she does a really good job with it. Steven Meo is one of the vest Thénardiers that I've seen. He can actually sing for a start, which is more than can be said for most of the recent ones. I like that he doesn't just turn it into a panto baddie. You actual feel that he is an evil nasty man, rather than being so cartoonish that he's just some light comic relief amongst all the depression. Jacqueline Tate as Mrs T didn't impress me as much this time. I didn't think her delivery was as good as it was last time so some of her lines didn't land as we'll as they could have done. I miss Katy Secombe! Great performances from Paul Wilkins as Marius and Hyoie O'Grady as Enjolras, standing out in their solo moments. Packed house, and a well deserved standing ovation at the end. 5 stars from me tonight! Glad to hear you enjoyed it! I think Carley is a great Fantine and I'm quite picky with Fantines. I think a few of them have improved since the first time I saw this cast in June but I have to agree on Karis. What's with the cockney accent? It also makes no sense she is black when her parents are white and she's white as a child! Are we supposed to not notice? Daisy; are you telling me that you are more able to accept that a man would have the strength to lift a super heavy cart on his own, that the professional policeman hunting him would not recognise the criminal he has obsessed over across the years, that numerous Parisian urchins/factory workers/whores regularly sing their every waking hour out loud and that Madam T would ever wear that ball gown, than ignore the fact that the person pretending to be a different person onstage is a different colour than her pretend parents? |
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Post by daisy24601 on Jan 26, 2018 14:39:54 GMT
^I'd say those are two completely separate things.
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Post by SageStageMgr on Jan 26, 2018 14:44:12 GMT
From a conversation at sd tonight there is going to be a big cast change in June, sounded like a bit of a shake up was going to happen. Sad this means we only have 5 months of David Thaxton being back, who I think is one of the strongest Javerts I've seen. Fantastic news!!! Can’t wait to go back if that comes true. Can you give any more info? |
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Post by danb on Jan 26, 2018 14:59:27 GMT
^I'd say those are two completely separate things. It’s all suspension of belief. It’s all pretend. |
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Post by stageyninja83 on Jan 26, 2018 19:12:29 GMT
From a conversation at sd tonight there is going to be a big cast change in June, sounded like a bit of a shake up was going to happen. Sad this means we only have 5 months of David Thaxton being back, who I think is one of the strongest Javerts I've seen. Fantastic news!!! Can’t wait to go back if that comes true. Can you give any more info? Sorry that was all that was said. Don't know anyone in the cast well enough to ask them to elaborate. |
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