Les Misérables - Sondheim Theatre

I prefer the original staging, mainly because it´s a very unique concept and extremely well-done, the characters felt more real (especially the Thenardiers), and the story darker. But I agree the sound is absolutely top-notch, the band sounds better than ever and the cast is extraordinary. I can´t wait to go again.

Got to see the final performance of the 2021/22 cast on Sunday afternoon and so glad I was able to be there.

The atmosphere was great - lots of die-hard fans in and the front row was full of excitable ladies of a certain age determined to give Bradley Jaden and the other departing cast members a worthy send off.

Stars got a prolonged standing ovation, as did On My Own and Empty Chairs… with each of the performers clearly moved by the response. By the curtain call many were fighting back tears with Harry Apps in particular crying his eyes out. Many of this cast have been with the show through Covid, into the aborted and socially-distanced runs of the Staged Concert and then this past year in the full production again, which itself has been impacted by Covid-related absences and cancelled shows, particularly last December. So they’ve been through a heck of a lot together and leaving must feel particularly hard when they’ve all pulled together to keep the show running through those hard times. What a cast.

I’ll certainly be going to see the new cast soon, but this particular group of performers have become very special to me, having made repeated visits to the Staged Concert last summer as I first got back to theatre after the long break thanks to the pandemic. Here’s hoping we see Bradley Jaden, Harry Apps, Luke McCall and the others in other shows very soon. Rumours are that Bradley may be going to Phantom so I’d definitely book to see him in that.

PRINCIPAL,          FIRST COVER,                 SECOND COVER,            THIRD COVER
Jon Robyns,         Christopher Jacobsen (alt),  Brad Barnley
David Thaxton,    Adam Robert Lewis,        Donald Craig Manuel
Jordan Shaw,    Cameron Burt,                Harry Jack
Robert Tripolino,   Benjamin Karran,        Louis Emmanuel
Ava Brennan,    Natalie Chua,                Natalie Green
Nathania Ong,    Bryony Duncan,        Jo Stephenson,        Yazmin King
Lulu-Mae Pears,    Phoebe Williams,        Jo Stephenson
Gerard Carey,    Bart Lambert,                Sam Peggs
Josefina Gabrielle, Jodie Nolan,                Georgie Lovatt


edit, wow this did not format well at all but you get the idea

Any relation between Donald Craig Manuel and Paul Manuel, do we know?

He has improved? Brilliant!!!

I was there yesterday evening after I'd seen the cover announcements, and I also really enjoyed Chris Jacobsen's performance - especially after the last few times I've seen Jon Robyns, he always appeared to be struggling with a few of the notes.

Did the Suicide work at the matinee? In the evening, I saw Adam Robert Lewis reach behind him as if to feel if the crane was in place, then he simply jumped down from the parapet onto the stage and walked backwards off the stage, with the crane nowhere to be seen.

I really enjoyed the physicality he brought to his Javert, without some of the over-the-top martial arts moves I've seen during the Confrontation recently. (David Thaxton's first show, Jon Robyns took him out with a drop kick... Really ridiculous.)

This was so funny. I thought surely this isn't the new official blocking. I have since seen Jon and David again and it was the old blocking of the punch to the face, so I assume maybe David hadn't reached his spot in time so Jon improvised?


But also yes, I echo what everyone else above has said. Chris is absolutely fantastic as JVJ, vocally better than both Jon and Luke (when he was still in the show).

Which strings do we have to pull to get Chris in Phantom? lol

Please read my full (very lengthy) review on the previous page. The show is in great nick.

I couldn’t agree more regarding this Jacobsen, one of the most underrated and humble performers I have come across. I’ve been following his career for years and can’t understand why he’s never been the main lead in a West End show. I remember years ago he was alternate JVJ and I’d often go up every couple of weeks to see his performance. I’ve also seen him sing with Ria Jones and Wynne Evans (Go Compare man).who was Chris’s coach as he is opera trained rather than MT I believe. He would make a fabulous Phantom and someone somewhere needs to make it happen

I believe alternate in Fri, but I’d double check to be sure

all fridays, plus he's on this evening too... then 25-27 nov... then 9-11 dec...