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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2019 16:34:57 GMT
If they do the 25th Anniversary Tour production, do not worry, you won't notice a lot of difference. Yes, there's no revolve, but it's pretty much the same.
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Post by ncbears on Jan 8, 2019 16:35:24 GMT
Well, I'm going to be in UK in June - so, this wasn't on my list originally - but that list is now changed.
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Post by princeton on Jan 8, 2019 16:50:20 GMT
can they still claim that it is the world's longest running musical and still going, or is there going to be a gap They'll definitely still make that claim. There was a week and a half gap between the Barbican and the Palace - and then almost a week between the Palace and the Queens (closed on a Saturday reopened the following Saturday). The Gielgud season has been announced as the vague - end of July - but I'd expect them to want to gap to be less than two weeks. No surprise at all that he's using the 2009 version - for all the reasons mentioned above However, the most interesting thing, to me at least, is having said that the original will close on 13 July and the new will open in December with "a brilliant company" which is being assembled now - the press release says: "LES MISÉRABLES will continue in performance [no mention of which production] on Shaftesbury Avenue with exciting plans being announced shortly for a four-month season at the Gielgud Theatre". I'm sure that Mackintosh has a trick or two up his sleeve - perhaps some curious hybrid semi-staged production directed by himself (oh how he loves a co-creator credit) - I can see the PR spin now - "the only time you will ever be able to see this very special version". And rather than a revolving stage - a revolving cast of favourites from the last 35 years moving into new roles - I mean who doesn't want to see man of the moment Nick Jonas giving us his Javert? Let's start placing bets now. |
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Post by 49thand8th on Jan 8, 2019 17:00:42 GMT
Now BWW is saying the last performance is July 13th. BWW kept calling Bailey Hanks "Hailey Banks." |
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Post by crabtree on Jan 8, 2019 17:31:34 GMT
How is the revolve these days? are they still using the double revolve or has that been faded out. Is the revolve still performing perfectly or is it that that needs retiring? The tour production does have it's moments but does not have any overall cohesive look or theatrical language. The original, love it or hate, was very clear.
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Post by ali973 on Jan 8, 2019 17:43:28 GMT
It's the 13th. I just snagged a first row seat. I just need to call them tomorrow and say my grandmother booked the 29th by accident, can you please refund us.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2019 19:03:34 GMT
But with the original production moving next door to the Gielgud, do I wait for the final performance there to say goodbye to the barricades?? I'm already going in February... that will be my 34th time seeing it, the first time was in 1986.
Does anyone know if Linzi Hateley replaced Frances Ruffelle or was there an Eponine inbetween?
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 8, 2019 19:09:33 GMT
So this is how I see it, correct me if I am wrong, which is very likely.
The original production with the turntable is going to move next door to the Gielgud in July.
The Queens is closing for 4 months for refurbishment.
It will re-open with the 25th anniversary production in December.
Two productions will co-exist next door to each other, later this year or next year?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2019 19:10:59 GMT
So Phantom will become the longest running musical. You can't (although he will) redesign and redirect a show, make a fuss over how it's a new production then slot it in and claim it's the same show that's been running for 30 years.
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Post by Jon on Jan 8, 2019 19:19:19 GMT
I find it strange that Cameron wants to keep Les Mis at the Queens, surely it'd be better to have the Queens for a new show and the Gielgud can be Les Mis' third home much like the Novello became Mamma Mia!'s when it moved to make way for The Book of Mormon.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2019 19:20:23 GMT
Blimey Cam Mack you know how to make a long winded drama out of...well a long winded drama.
I for one won't miss the revolve, having discovered midway through act 1 from the Gods that it made me feel seasick. The tour was much more enjoyable for that reason at least.
I do of course want to see a Jonas triple bill now: Marius, Valjean and Javert.
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Post by demelza on Jan 8, 2019 19:22:06 GMT
I think that it's a frightful shame that we're losing the revolve! Having seen both iterations, and whilst there are some moments in the 25th staging I enjoy, I just find it to be lacking without the revolve and I think one moment really shows that: {Spoiler - click to view}
The revolve turning to reveal Enjolras' body on the barricade as the music swells is far more powerful than the cart he's sans revolve. |
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Post by daisy24601 on Jan 8, 2019 19:23:33 GMT
So Phantom will become the longest running musical. You can't (although he will) redesign and redirect a show, make a fuss over how it's a new production then slot it in and claim it's the same show that's been running for 30 years. I disagree. It's the same show, same producers. Running for over 30 years it's acceptable to move with the times and update mechanics etc. They aren't changing the story, the songs or characters. |
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Post by daisy24601 on Jan 8, 2019 19:24:44 GMT
I think that it's a frightful shame that we're losing the revolve! Having seen both iterations, and whilst there are some moments in the 25th staging I enjoy, I just find it to be lacking without the revolve and I think one moment really shows that: {Spoiler - click to view}
The revolve turning to reveal Enjolras' body on the barricade as the music swells is far more powerful than the cart he's sans revolve. Your spoiler is exactly the bit I was going to mention and what I missed most. Definitely not as effective without the revolve. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2019 19:26:33 GMT
but it's about the production not the piece itself. it's false advertising to say it's the same production that opened 30 years ago. no issue with restaging it, just don't try and claim it's the same show. it's noticeably different and the original creative's were not involved
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Post by David J on Jan 8, 2019 19:26:33 GMT
Got a ticket near the front for the last night as well. Am not letting the revoke go without a heartfelt goodbye
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Post by last5jamie on Jan 8, 2019 19:28:47 GMT
I am personally disappointed that they will get rid of the revolve. I was kinda hoping that the version in Gielgud will still have the revolve (wanted to say goodbye in August). Sad.
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Post by Raven on Jan 8, 2019 19:35:15 GMT
I am personally disappointed that they will get rid of the revolve. I was kinda hoping that the version in Gielgud will still have the revolve (wanted to say goodbye in August). Sad.
I agree! The revolve is such a unique and important part of the show and it's very effective. I was also very disappointed to hear they were removing it.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2019 19:39:49 GMT
I was being flippant!
it does seem a bit odd to me to lose one of the 'selling points' of the show (or at least an aspect it's known for!)
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 8, 2019 19:44:27 GMT
The original production is being scrapped because of the royalties that go to original creatives.
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Post by last5jamie on Jan 8, 2019 19:46:50 GMT
The original production is being scrapped because of the royalties that go to original creatives. That saddens me, tbh. |
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Post by princeton on Jan 8, 2019 19:48:14 GMT
Does anyone know if Linzi Hateley replaced Frances Ruffelle or was there an Eponine inbetween? I suspect there were several people playing Eponine between Frances Ruffelle and Linzi Hateley. I don't know the exact dates they left and joined - but Frances Ruffelle was in the US production from December 1986 - and probably left the London production a while before that - and Linzi Hateley didn't join until after she's done Carrie on Broadway which was in April/May 1988. |
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 8, 2019 19:55:21 GMT
When my parents and I saw the 2009 Broadway revival, they'd already seen the (Broadway replica staging) US tour about 5 times in the past 6 or 7 years. I didn't tell them before the show that some costumes and orchestrations would be different. After the show, my mom said she didn't notice anything significant except that Cosette's dress was different.
"Joe Public never clocks a darn thing"
A joke, but very true!
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Post by 49thand8th on Jan 8, 2019 20:06:09 GMT
Does anyone know if Linzi Hateley replaced Frances Ruffelle or was there an Eponine inbetween? I suspect there were several people playing Eponine between Frances Ruffelle and Linzi Hateley. I don't know the exact dates they left and joined - but Frances Ruffelle was in the US production from December 1986 - and probably left the London production a while before that - and Linzi Hateley didn't join until after she's done Carrie on Broadway which was in April/May 1988. Old but possibly useful: www.angelfire.com/musicals/oldperformers/library-character.htm |
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Post by Jon on Jan 8, 2019 20:11:04 GMT
The original production is being scrapped because of the royalties that go to original creatives. And presumably losing the revolve means savings in the weekly running cost |
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