349 posts
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Post by kimbahorel on Jul 1, 2019 23:12:51 GMT
Tonight at Mis they had an extra ensemble member in Master of the House. She was only in that scene and then did the curtian call in costume. I assume it was a crew member but if anyone actually knows please tell us. I couldn't go to the SD to find out.
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19,679 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 2, 2019 5:52:11 GMT
Yes, I’m Isobel Smith a secretary from North London 😆 |
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227 posts
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Post by ukpuppetboy on Jul 2, 2019 7:44:35 GMT
Yes, I’m Isobel Smith a secretary from North London 😆 I KNEW it! Time to collect on that bet. |
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Post by xanady on Jul 2, 2019 9:17:47 GMT
That was my alias too..I’ll have to change it to something else...anyone using Kelsey Grammer or Mark Shelton?
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Post by xanady on Jul 2, 2019 9:23:08 GMT
Love the correction at the end too...Harvard Wong for Harrods Wong..sounds like when I do a street survey and I always give the name Pete Bog or Arthur Minute lol
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Post by xanady on Jul 2, 2019 9:24:35 GMT
...my wife is also known as Teresa Green or Eileen Dover...
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Post by justfran on Jul 5, 2019 8:57:20 GMT
Queens Theatre to be re-named Sondheim Theatre.
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1,046 posts
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Post by jgblunners on Jul 7, 2019 10:48:54 GMT
Well I was back at the barricade on Wednesday night to say one last farewell to the revolve and I am very sad to see it go. On this visit I really payed attention to the direction and staging and it is truly brilliant - the revolve is not over-used and the scene transitions are incredibly smooth. Will be very interesting to see how the new production compares as I've not seen it yet. I am, however, hoping for a but of a musical re-vamp when the show reopens - there were times on Wednesday night where the score was very rushed, with phrases sped through at alarming rates, sometimes causing performers to break phrasing to snatch a breath or struggle to get good diction at such speed.
I was very impressed by Bradley Jaden, who I was not convinced would be a good Javert. I'm eating my words now, his voice was brilliant and he's a very good actor - a different take on the role to the incomparable Jeremy Secomb. Elena Skye and Vivien Parry both left me on the fence on my last visit, but they've settled into their roles now and were superb. Vivien is rivalling Katy Secombe for my favourite Mme Thenardier now.
Adam Bayjou was on for Valjean - I was disappointed when I saw the cast board as Dean's Valjean is one of the best and I was looking forward to seeing him again. Adam has a nice chest voice but unfortunately his head and falsetto sections left a little to be desired. A few odd acting choices too. I know a lot of fans like him but I'm afraid his performance left me cold.
I now wait with baited breath for the 'All-Star' concert and my chance to finally see JOJ perform the role live.
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716 posts
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Post by indis on Jul 7, 2019 10:54:50 GMT
i totally loved Bradleys Javert - before seeing it i thought he was way too young for the role but the acted so brilliantly
that i soon forgot about it - and his voice was awesome
he now is my 2nd fave Javert, not very far behind my all-time-favourite Tam Mutu
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716 posts
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Post by indis on Jul 7, 2019 10:55:38 GMT
about the renovation of the Queens theatre (it will forever be this name for me):
do they keep the 3 cosettes outside on the wall somehow in the new theatre as well? i totally love that painting
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2019 11:11:30 GMT
So here we are, the final week. End of an era! And come next week, the first time since 1981 that we won't have an epic John Napier set in the West End.
I'll be there mid week and at the last show Saturday. Funnily enough, every time Saturday shows as sold out, they clearly release more seats and it becomes available again - though at ludicrous premium prices.
Still so sorry to see this going. I really like the tour, it has a lot of great elements and I totally get that we should have new productions of long runners (though tour more developed from original than re-imagined).
But the original is iconic, and getting rid still seems an odd decision. It could exist happily side by side with the tour which for me would have been optimal. But we are where we are and I hope the original gets a good send off. I also hope the relationship hasn't soured to the extend that Trever Nunn, John Caird and Cam Mac can't all be there together on Saturday; though I suspect it has!
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Post by scarpia on Jul 8, 2019 12:34:10 GMT
So here we are, the final week. End of an era! And come next week, the first time since 1981 that we won't have an epic John Napier set in the West End. I'll be there mid week and at the last show Saturday. Funnily enough, every time Saturday shows as sold out, they clearly release more seats and it becomes available again - though at ludicrous premium prices. Still so sorry to see this going. I really like the tour, it has a lot of great elements and I totally get that we should have new productions of long runners (though tour more developed from original than re-imagined). But the original is iconic, and getting rid still seems an odd decision. It could exist happily side by side with the tour which for me would have been optimal. But we are where we are and I hope the original gets a good send off. I also hope the relationship hasn't soured to the extend that Trever Nunn, John Caird and Cam Mac can't all be there together on Saturday; though I suspect it has! Do we know who of the creatives will be there on Sat night? I hope Trevor Nunn and John Caird are able to make it. Cameron seems intent these days on foisting inferior stuff on us. It's sad. I won't just miss the revolve. The original production was a lot more than that, and its RSC origins meant that it had a level of detail the Laurence Connor one will never have. And I'm sad to see John Napier's set go; the projections in the not-so-new restaged production aren't a great substitute. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2019 12:45:37 GMT
So here we are, the final week. End of an era! And come next week, the first time since 1981 that we won't have an epic John Napier set in the West End. I'll be there mid week and at the last show Saturday. Funnily enough, every time Saturday shows as sold out, they clearly release more seats and it becomes available again - though at ludicrous premium prices. Still so sorry to see this going. I really like the tour, it has a lot of great elements and I totally get that we should have new productions of long runners (though tour more developed from original than re-imagined). But the original is iconic, and getting rid still seems an odd decision. It could exist happily side by side with the tour which for me would have been optimal. But we are where we are and I hope the original gets a good send off. I also hope the relationship hasn't soured to the extend that Trever Nunn, John Caird and Cam Mac can't all be there together on Saturday; though I suspect it has! Do we know who of the creatives will be there on Sat night? I hope Trevor Nunn and John Caird are able to make it. Cameron seems intent these days on foisting inferior stuff on us. It's sad. I won't just miss the revolve. The original production was a lot more than that, and its RSC origins meant that it had a level of detail the Laurence Connor one will never have. And I'm sad to see John Napier's set go; the projections in the not-so-new restaged production aren't a great substitute. Couldn't agree more. The "save the revolve" headlines of the last few months don't do justice to the fact that the revolve is just one part of this magnificent set. And as you say the direction and level of detail is top notch. |
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349 posts
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Post by kimbahorel on Jul 8, 2019 22:51:51 GMT
I said to a few people depending on what sort of Les Mis fanbase turn up there is a chance that if CamMac turns up he will be booed... then it makes me wonder if he did the theatre name change anouncement just before the final show so that people wouldn't.
I know over the years they have cut stuff and things have changed but the tour/broadway version is not the same version as this. I know a few people who have gone and they say it's okay when it was just the tour version but now it will be the only one you see. And that is sad. 7 more shows. It was the last time Adam covered as Valjean he got 434 shows in the end for 4 years.
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Post by xanady on Jul 9, 2019 6:39:02 GMT
Said it before on the board...having seen the touring version that is headed to the WE it no longer feels like Les Mis to me.Just my opinion,but CM’s decision is a very poor call.Glad to have seen the original so many times over the years,but don’t ever want to see the new version again,thank you.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2019 7:28:22 GMT
What if the original set goes into storage (as most Cam Mac productions do) with the intention of having the new shiny tour in London for a few years and then a big, unexpected, highly publicised remount of the original return "by popular demand"...?
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3,334 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 9, 2019 7:43:40 GMT
What if the original set goes into storage (as most Cam Mac productions do) with the intention of having the new shiny tour in London for a few years and then a big, unexpected, highly publicised remount of the original return "by popular demand"...? I'd think that it would almost certainly return at some point. But I don't know if it's more cost effective to store the set, or better to just dispose of it and build a new one when it's needed. |
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136 posts
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Post by Lemansky on Jul 9, 2019 8:02:12 GMT
We're off to see it on Saturday as I couldn't resist not seeing this version one last time. I love the revolve, the current barricade and just how the show looks in general and think it won't be the same show without it.
I did see the other version at the Barbican and while I enjoyed it a lot and some of the pieces were fantastic - Javert's suicide in particular as well as the runaway cart working much better than it ever seemed to in the WE - the elements with the barricade just weren't the same/comparable.
It's a shame, but I'm glad we're able to get to see it before it closes.
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3,334 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jul 9, 2019 8:14:33 GMT
Just checked availability for the week out of interest.
There are only a few tickets left now (all at £177.25), apart from Saturday evening, which also has some side Dress Circle seats at the bargain price of £127.25.
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19,679 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 9, 2019 8:40:18 GMT
What if the original set goes into storage (as most Cam Mac productions do) with the intention of having the new shiny tour in London for a few years and then a big, unexpected, highly publicised remount of the original return "by popular demand"...? Totally expect this to happen. People will go to see the new version, and when interest starts to fade again it will be “See The Stunning Original” and we’ll be rushing back again. He ain’t daft. Having said that I think the new version more than merits its place in the WE. It’s not that long ago (before the film revived its fortunes) that people were taking the P out of Les Mis, the creaky old revolve and how dated it all looked. And how that back wall of brown paint and shutters can be deemed preferable to Hugo’s atmospheric paintings is a puzzle to me. However it’s each to their own isn’t it. Either way I doubt it’s the last we’ve seen of the original staging. |
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7,064 posts
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Post by Jon on Jul 9, 2019 8:54:31 GMT
Isn’t one of the reasons for making a new production is reducing the overall costs.Less royalties to pay means more profit.
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Post by xanady on Jul 9, 2019 9:18:16 GMT
Jon....you are correct!!! It is after all,showBUSINESS...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2019 9:40:07 GMT
Very encouraged by number of people thinking we may one day see the original again.
Must say I really can't see if happening ever - but nothing would delight me more than to be proven wrong.
(They can bring Cats in the round back to the New London/Gillian Lynne while they're at it - no entry while the auditorium is in motion etc etc).
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121 posts
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Post by theatregeek on Jul 9, 2019 10:39:25 GMT
Well I was back at the barricade on Wednesday night to say one last farewell to the revolve and I am very sad to see it go. On this visit I really payed attention to the direction and staging and it is truly brilliant - the revolve is not over-used and the scene transitions are incredibly smooth. Will be very interesting to see how the new production compares as I've not seen it yet. I am, however, hoping for a but of a musical re-vamp when the show reopens - there were times on Wednesday night where the score was very rushed, with phrases sped through at alarming rates, sometimes causing performers to break phrasing to snatch a breath or struggle to get good diction at such speed. I was very impressed by Bradley Jaden, who I was not convinced would be a good Javert. I'm eating my words now, his voice was brilliant and he's a very good actor - a different take on the role to the incomparable Jeremy Secomb. Elena Skye and Vivien Parry both left me on the fence on my last visit, but they've settled into their roles now and were superb. Vivien is rivalling Katy Secombe for my favourite Mme Thenardier now. Adam Bayjou was on for Valjean - I was disappointed when I saw the cast board as Dean's Valjean is one of the best and I was looking forward to seeing him again. Adam has a nice chest voice but unfortunately his head and falsetto sections left a little to be desired. A few odd acting choices too. I know a lot of fans like him but I'm afraid his performance left me cold. I now wait with baited breath for the 'All-Star' concert and my chance to finally see JOJ perform the role live. Just wait until you see the new production - now that is a rushed score! I loved the production, it is very beautiful but my word it races through the score - I was breathless, never mind the cast! |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2019 11:39:28 GMT
I have never quite got the rushed score thing. SO many people mention it; but I do think it's a perception of the orchestrations.
As long as I can remember (at least 20 years), both the West End and the tour finish at 22:20 plus or minus 5 mins - this has never changed!
So it really can't have sped up that much....
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