Les Misérables - Sondheim Theatre

This, I am afraid is purely about cost and profit. The "original" production at the Palace Theatre (after the show had been dramatically cut/edited after the Barbican run) was epic! The reveal of the barricade on that stage was awesome and a theatrical moment I will never forget.

The move to the Queens Theatre marked a reduction in production values with orchestra, smaller cast and set. Now, we have the prospect of basically the touring production - cheaper again (projections and the sometimes temperamental revolve does not have to be maintained) plus of course the disgraceful situation where the original creatives are not paid their royalty payments - which would be all very well if the "new" production was completely re-imagined - it isn't). Frankly I don't know how Cam Mack has not been sued by the original creatives for the copying of their original copywrite work. I suppose it must be "sufficiently different" to get away with it.

Although Les Mis is a brilliant musical sometimes the producers forget the role the creatives play in its success with the staging. I always say that Starlight Express would not have played the Apollo Victoria for 17 YEARS had it not been for the original brilliant direction and staging - oh Trevor Nunn again!!!

So, although I totally applause Cam Mack for his theatre refurbishment - at huge cost, I think he is using the refurbishment of the Queens to downsize the Les Mis production again - although I doubt the seat prices will be downsized. He will save a large percentage in royalty payments to the original creatives.

I don't know what the legal position is about advertising "the worlds longest running musical" etc. is. I suppose the show is the same - music, lyrics book etc, but surely how many days/weeks can it be dark before it becomes a revival rather than a continuous run? Plus if it is a "brand new production" then it is brand new production and not a continuous run? So perhaps it may be eligible for "Best New Musical"? It is all a very grey area quite frankly.

On a lighter note - I assume no trucks will be needed to move the set next door. I do expect to see Cam Mack leading by example and hand balling all the barricade next door with the tech crew!

Absolutely YES!

I am always sad that the incredible original productions of Cats, Starlight Express, Aspects, Miss Saigon and Sunset were never properly filmed - I guess we didn't know at the time that these epic sets and staging would become a thing of the past.

Basically I am obsessed with John Napier's design and/or Trevor Nunn's direction.

I love the DVD of the new Miss Saigon and if that production is never mounted again, it is a wonderful memory. 

Both if them? I've heard of musicians booking seats on aeroplanes for their instruments, but I've never known anyone book an extra seat at the theatre just for their bananas. 🍌=🙂

The last time I saw the show (almost a year ago), the set was tired, the production had no life with it because the creatives who are receiving royalties are no longer part of the day to day running of the show so it is down to the in-house resident direction team to re-cast and keep the show alive. That means the direction that the cast received is second if not third hand which ultimately means, with no disrespect to the resident directors because they do a great, tough and often thankless job, the quality of the staging and direction is aged and diluted. I thought the show looked old and tired - and welcome the idea of a new production. I’ve only heard great things about the touring production and personally see no great issue with this new production replacing the tatty, old, original production. And don’t think this is Cam trying to avoid paying royalties - from what I’ve heard he’s very fair and pays people what they deserve.

LOL, he got asked to keep away?

Sadly I think it's a little too late to film the original production of Les Mis, as I agree with what people have said before about the current London show being a shadow of it's former self. The production at the Palace (and even the first UK tour) was epic, and it's slowly been hacked away over the years.

That said, I do still prefer the original staging to the new production, and am sad it will soon disappear. But it might not be such a bad thing if it injects some life, care and attention back into the show.

It appears that even a "professional" critic can spot the things that are "directly recognisable" from the original production!

Thanks to 49thand8th for teaching me how to paste a tweet!!

Oh wow, the costume design for the new production really is almost identical to the original isn't it?

Could be, but Carrie has said quite a few times recently that she only wants to return to Miz to play Fantine now, when she’s older.

I was wondering that (not specifically Carrie, but an interim cast of favourites). And if that is the case, he may well want to film the show for cinema/DVD. He has to do something special to say farewell to this iconic staging.

I think there's zero chance of Cameron doing a live broadcast, I suspect he would rather the general public not notice they are changing the show.

Frances Ruffelle and Linzi Hately - incredible MT actresses!
And Patti obvs. 

More recently I thought JOJ and Earl Carpenter in the 25th tour were about as good as it gets. Katie Hall also sensational as Cosette.