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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Jun 11, 2017 9:00:51 GMT
I understand that the cast of Les Miserables (and School of Rock) will be performing on ITV's Tonight At The London Palladium on Wednesday. As I think the show is actually recorded on Sunday, goodness knows which cast it will be, or what type of hungover performance they will give! It was Jeremy that did it. I was very lucky with him being there and David off as Thenardier. I saw Adam Pearce cover as Javert one last time and Adam Linstead was on as Thenardier. |
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Post by daniel on Jun 11, 2017 10:58:00 GMT
I understand that the cast of Les Miserables (and School of Rock) will be performing on ITV's Tonight At The London Palladium on Wednesday. As I think the show is actually recorded on Sunday, goodness knows which cast it will be, or what type of hungover performance they will give! It was Jeremy that did it. I was very lucky with him being there and David off as Thenardier. I saw Adam Pearce cover as Javert one last time and Adam Linstead was on as Thenardier. What did you think of Adam as Javert? I really wasn't impressed. |
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Post by indis on Jun 11, 2017 11:51:34 GMT
i saw Adam as Javert, and i did not like it. Not a fan of his voice at all, he always stood out in the ensemble with his deep voice and i did not like it at all, even in the small part when he is Bambatois , but even less as Javert
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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Jun 11, 2017 14:27:30 GMT
It was Jeremy that did it. I was very lucky with him being there and David off as Thenardier. I saw Adam Pearce cover as Javert one last time and Adam Linstead was on as Thenardier. What did you think of Adam as Javert? I really wasn't impressed. Having only been around since Nov 15 I've only seen Jeremy Adam Lee and Hayden do it. Of all of them Hayden I liked the least. But I prefer Lee over Adam. Vocally I like Adam as Javert. He suits better covering Thenardier. I would go see Adam in shows he does in the future. I know what he is doing next but it hasn't been announced (didn't ask over heard at stage door) I would go to see him in it if I could get to it but I can't. |
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Post by daniel on Jun 11, 2017 14:53:28 GMT
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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Jun 13, 2017 12:35:38 GMT
Did anyone else go see the first show on Monday with the new cast?
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Post by daniel on Jun 13, 2017 12:49:19 GMT
Did anyone else go see the first show on Monday with the new cast? a friend of mine did, and she was very positive about the newbies. I'm there Saturday afternoon this week. |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Jun 13, 2017 13:31:18 GMT
Friday night for me! I *think* it's been at least 4 years since I've been.
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Post by 49thand8th on Jun 13, 2017 14:32:57 GMT
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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Jun 13, 2017 14:41:41 GMT
Did anyone else go see the first show on Monday with the new cast? a friend of mine did, and she was very positive about the newbies. I'm there Saturday afternoon this week. I was curious as to what others thought I know a few people who go to Les Mis a lot. Been through a few cast changes. A side the stuff that just went wrong & people forgetting lines. We talked she said it was one of worst opening nights she had seen. In my 77 times seeing the show it wasn't good it was all over the place. I am back on Saturday so I hope its got a bit better. There are really good new ones in the show and probably just a first show thing. It lacked chemistry esp the Amis but that will get better in time I hope. |
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Post by 49thand8th on Jun 15, 2017 19:23:49 GMT
These are cool.
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Post by ali973 on Jun 15, 2017 20:57:30 GMT
Fab! Look at the order of the phrases!
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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Jun 18, 2017 15:22:29 GMT
I saw Les Mis again yesterday it was a much better show than Monday (not just that people forgot their lines) as a whole. I am not too overwhelmed by some performances either acting or/and singing wise still though.
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Post by daniel on Jun 18, 2017 18:11:00 GMT
I saw the matinee yesterday and thought I should give a brief lowdown on the performances: Killian Donnelly as JVJ - wow. Brilliant. Some slightly offputting gurning going on but I reckon he was probably just trying to get his mouth around not doing an Irish accent. Vocally he was phenomenal, one of the best vocal performances I've heard from a Valjean, no problem with any of the songs for him. I liked his acting too - I can't decide if he looks a tad young, but that's just a minor quibble in an otherwise outstanding performance. Jeremy Secomb as Javert - I mean, there are no words. His performance is just phenomenal. His voice is incredibly strong, especially given that he himself in an interview said that he always thought he had the wrong voice for Javert, when he's angry boy is he angry, but you also really see the "softer" side of Javert, and the humongous moral dilemma he's having. Carley Stenson as Fantine - disappointing. Voice okay but lacking in strength. Acting okay but nothing spectacular...I soon became bored of her one facial expression. Karis Jack as Eponine - also disappointing. Voice and acting were fine but again nothing exceptional, and I liked how she brought some attitude and sass to Eponine, but she was so twitchy and fidgety (I'm not quite sure how best to describe it) that by the time she was coming over the barricade I wanted to jump up and shout "stand still for goodness sake!!". I'm sure she will improve as she settles into the role, but not impressed thus far. I suppose that my three most recent Eponines were Eva Noblezada, Carrie Fletcher and Danielle Hope (I've cast the two performances of Hollie O'Donoghue firmly to the back of my mind *shudders*), for me the Eponine bar is set crazy high. Paul Wilkins as Marius/Charlotte Kennedy as Cosette - seen them both before and I really like their portrayals, nothing to pull up on  Steven Meo as Thenardier - I liked him!  I usually really struggle with Thenardiers, many of them ham it up way too much, growl-speak there way through songs, and generally muck about. And the less said about Adam Pearce's "performance" the better. But I really liked Steven! I felt he had the right balance of comedy vs evilness and he actually sang! Jacqueline Tate as Mrs Thenardier - solid performance. She brought some new bits of humour to the part that I haven't seen before, had great chemistry with Mr T and looked scary as hell. She's not at the level of Katy Secombe, but given that its performance number seven, I have no doubts she'll really make the part her own. Hyoie O'Grady as Enjolras - solid performance, strong voice and I did actually believe him as a leader. Full standing ovation within about a second of the show finishing, hugely receptive audience. Five stars I would strongly advise anyone who hasn't seen the show for a while, or is considering going, go before Jeremy Secomb leaves on 15 July, as Haydn Tee doesn't even come close. NB would be intrigued to hear your thoughts Kim_Bahorel? |
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Post by Kim_Bahorel on Jun 19, 2017 9:17:26 GMT
NB would be intrigued to hear your thoughts Kim_Bahorel? I always find it difficult to express in writing how I feel. So its not a review of any sorts. Just a though my own personal taste thought. In terms of what you said Daniel about the leads I agree with you. I was maybe expecting more from Carley & Karis than what I saw and heard. Carley wasn't great on Monday she struggled to sing. Saturday compared to Monday was a better performance. Karis pretty much the same as Monday. Karis was all over the place. I have seen Fantine's & Eponine's I liked better (including covers). I liked Hyoie as Enjolras and the more he does it the better it will be but even on Monday it was his professional debut that was great. He will go far. I really am not looking forward to Hayden coming back to be honest. I never tire of watching Jeremy on stage. He is brilliant as Javert. I liked Steven and Jacqueline as the Thenardiers. They were quite a pair. I feel sorry for Jacqueline Monday she forgot her lines it was awkward. I really liked Killian as Valjean although when he was old Valjean ran moved a little too fast! I did notice him having slight pauses in conversation parts. All the times I have tried to avoid seeing the part Valjeans. Saying that Bayjou is my fave so if I have to sit through shows with other actors who are at present questionable I'm still going when Adam is Valjean! In terms of ensemble I'm not keen on James Bamatabois. I don't know if anyone saw Will Jennings cover last cast year. He is without a doubt my favourite. Same with Ciaran J as Montparnasse he isn't my favourite portrayal I have seen. I like Hugo as Grantaire I found out he is the 1st cover Bamatabois which will be interesting. It was a little odd to hear Prouvaire with a deep voice as I'm used to Prouvaires being Marius covers. Shaq is 1st cover Javert I am really seeing him as Javert. On the Monday Antony who is now Courfeyrac was off on paternity so new swing George was on. I don't know if it was nerves (I am hoping it was) was flat almost like he couldn't sing. On Monday one of the new ones John who is Joly was good he wasn't there on Saturday and had the other new swing on who aside over doing it a little found quite endering on stage. He is very young I am interested in seeing him cover other ensemble. I was intrigued by seeing Antony as Courfeyrac because I had got so used to Will last cast year. It was interesting take. Danny is one of my fave anyway who now is Combeferre so I will be that person nothing he does I won't like 😂. Lee I love as Brujon I knew I would. For the ensemble girls, until I can figure which one is which its a bit of a blur. I liked Anna the factory girl and the one that is on the track of what was Tamsins last year. Although they have moved around the tracks which is making more difficult. A couple over act a little too much. All in all it will take some getting used to. I don't have the knowledge of loads of actors playing roles as I only started attending shows with the 2015/16 cast. But enough now to have favourites in most of roles there are. |
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Post by theatremiss on Jun 20, 2017 14:39:43 GMT
Killian is beyond fabulous, the best JVJ I think I have seen. Vocally he smashed it and I thought his acting was superb. He doesn't seem to follow the standard direction that I've seen in all the other JVJs, His BHH was jaw droppingly good. Only criticism was his "take my flight" scream when he runs away from the Bishop, sounded very high pitched. He visible aged on stage (as he did when he was Huey in Memphis), quite a shock I thought, more so than when I've seen others in the role.
Jeremy is superb, in fact I will try to see him again before he leaves in a couple of weeks
Thenardiers were fine, no real issues there.
Stenson was OK too but she looks so very very young - I've no idea her age and her vocals were a little quiet for my liking.
Hyoie is a very good Enjolras, I enjoyed his performance and feel he will grow into the role
I thought the young guy who plays Marius was up there with some of the best I've seen in recent years. I'm very much a Craig Mather fan (and Fra Fee as u/s) and he is up there with them IMHO
Oh dear goodness. Karis Jack's Eponine is truly awful. Her voice is weak (I couldn't bring myself to clap he On My Own) and her acting is irritating beyond words; bobbing up and down across the stage like she was skipping through a park, not bereft over marius. How she got cast I have no idea.
Loved Grantaire, thought he was very good and I think he will get better throughout the run.
I'm already booked for July but feel I may visit again before then
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Post by zak97 on Jun 20, 2017 14:58:27 GMT
Shame to see negativity about Karis. I'll probs be going in September so hopefully she'll have improved, especially since it's now harder to specifically target understudy dates.
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Post by hitmewithurbethshot on Jun 20, 2017 15:49:50 GMT
When I saw it about a month ago (with the old cast) the ensemble were all very guilty of over-singing their lines: too much vibrato, holding the note beyond what the music dictated etc. Have they reigned that in with the new cast?
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Post by ali973 on Jul 1, 2017 17:57:21 GMT
Apparently Act II started fifty minutes late. The trucks were stuck, or something. They needed to do the rest of the performance In Concert.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2017 10:37:00 GMT
Just looking at tickets for Les Mis, and the two weeks over Christmas aren't on sale (but January through March is). Anyone know why this is?
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Post by daniel on Jul 7, 2017 10:42:11 GMT
Just looking at tickets for Les Mis, and the two weeks over Christmas aren't on sale (but January through March is). Anyone know why this is? Theyll be waiting to confirm their Christmas schedule |
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Post by David J on Jul 15, 2017 23:18:18 GMT
Whilst I'm stuck on a crowded train full of people coming back from Wimbledon and the commonwealth games I thought I'd give my thoughts
I went just to see Secombs last performance and what can I say. Phenomenal! He gave it his all playing the obsessiveness of the character.
I burst into tears as his soliloquy got underaway. He really shows the tragedy of the character as his obsession, anger and morals overcame him. I kept thinking, "why did he have to go after Valjean? Why couldn't he go some after some after irredeemable escaped convict? He doesn't deserve this!" He went out with a bang
I liked killian. I warmed to his acting choices. I always think he has this blank look on his face whenever I see him in something. Something about his eyes. So I'm watching his convict valjean thinking that he is a broken man with a resigned look on his face, until his soliloquy when something breaks and he vents his anger. But by the time he becomes old valjean he is unwavering in the tasks he sets out to do. He faces his death with resolution
I prefer Adam Bayjou and Simon Gleeson but I'd like to see him later when he has matured. I'd even like to see Adam Bayjou if only I know who would be playing Javert on the same night.
Overall I enjoyed the freshness that comes this new cast. I saw some new and interesting acting choices here and there.
It was particularly a breath of fresh air to have a thenardier that puts characterisation first before comedy. Steven Meo still has occasional moments of clowning around and off script comments, but most of the humour came from his dry facial expressions and interactions with Jacqueline Tate as Madame thernardier.
Liked Paul Wilkins and Charlotte Kennedy as Marius and cossete. Would like to see more charisma from Hyoie as Enjorlas (and I hope he combs his hair back because half his face tended to get obscured)
Alice Ellen Wright was on as Fantine. She was fine
I didn't mind Karis Jacks childlike Eponine initially and I like how she expressed her inwardness instead of showing her love to Marius. But yeah she couldn't keep still and was trying too hard to show Eponine a pain. By the climax of on my own she looked like she was trying to grow her neck that into the audience the way she put her head forwards. She also has a tendency to double over with her hands between her legs like she was desperate for the toilet. Maybe that's why she couldn't keep still
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Post by londonmzfitz on Jul 16, 2017 1:15:54 GMT
Agree with Jeremy Secombes phenomenal performance. Thought he and Killian together were both strong, loved Killian more tonight than when I saw him a couple of weeks ago. He gave a lovely performance.
I'm still not warming to the rest of this new cast though. Karis Jack has a great voice, my big peeve with this role usually is the enounciation gets lost in the race against the orchestra, Hyoie O'Grady missed the high note in Red and Black when I saw this three weeks ago, was OK tonight though. I felt other than Killian and Jeremy everyone else was just OK and I've seen better in the roles.
And what a good audience, little coughing, and from my favourite A0 Dress Circle seat it's touching to see so many people dabbing their eyes at the final scene.
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Post by daniel on Jul 16, 2017 1:21:06 GMT
It's a shame to see Jeremy leave, I've seen every Javert since Hadley Fraser except for Mr Thaxton and he's been by far the strongest for me.
I've previously expressed my hope that he'll take over as the Phantom, and I may just be getting ahead of myself but I think that the timing really stacks up...Phantom cast change I think is early September, so rehearsals will likely start early August, which is a few weeks away from now...furthermore, if Jeremy was just leaving for leavings sake, would he not have gone at cast change? Time will tell.
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Post by itsjavert on Jul 17, 2017 5:32:37 GMT
I regret didn't see Jeremy Secomb's last performance. My favorite Javert.
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I usually really struggle with Thenardiers, many of them ham it up way too much, growl-speak there way through songs, and generally muck about. And the less said about Adam Pearce's "performance" the better. But I really liked Steven! I felt he had the right balance of comedy vs evilness and he actually sang!
