703 posts
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Post by theatremiss on Nov 20, 2022 1:16:42 GMT
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 He played Cable in a 2014 production of South Pacific, but that seems to have had absolutely no documentation at all (apart from a few photos) :/ dying to hear his solo in that! (Anyway apologies for going slightly off-topic here) Yes he did, it was at Kilworth House. I went to see it, not actually realising how far away Kilworth is from my home in Wiltshire. All I can say is I have no idea how I made it back I was so tired. He was great as Cable and as I recall the lovely and again underrated Celia Graham |
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Post by shady23 on Nov 21, 2022 18:50:41 GMT
"Katy Secombe joins the Les Miz London company TONIGHT as Madame Thénardier for a limited time only!"
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Nov 21, 2022 23:18:06 GMT
Seems like they deleted all mention of that off their social media! I wonder if they accidentally announced too early?
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5,139 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Nov 21, 2022 23:22:37 GMT
Did seem odd to announce that for the last show of the week
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Post by carmella1 on Nov 22, 2022 4:50:00 GMT
It seems as though the casts of both Les Miz and Phantom just seem to hop back and forth.
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Post by 141920grm on Nov 22, 2022 9:44:25 GMT
It seems as though the casts of both Les Miz and Phantom just seem to hop back and forth. completing a run in one probably gives you the experience and stamina needed to perform well in the other! (and the connections to make that hop i might think👀) p.s. since I follow both shows relatively closely I quite enjoy when that happens, plus it’s fun to predict what roles they’re suited for vs. what they actually get cast as when they inevitably jump over to the other show |
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146 posts
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Post by matilda1 on Nov 22, 2022 9:58:59 GMT
So has Josefina Gabrielle left?
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Nov 22, 2022 23:39:02 GMT
So has Josefina Gabrielle left? Josefina was performing on Monday. I assume Katie is there temporarily (maybe from Wednesday?) while Josefina has other engagements. I don't know how long for though. |
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146 posts
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Post by matilda1 on Nov 23, 2022 9:44:52 GMT
I’ve noticed a few cast changes on the tour too.
Raymond Walsh is back as is Mary Jean Caldwell
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Post by garjobo on Jan 2, 2023 13:00:09 GMT
Not really into musicals, although seeing more and more.
Loved the movie Les Mis with Hugh and I didnt mind the SkyArts staged one with that chap from LittleBritain saying that..didnt like the way the mic's all at front of stage.
Just that..music..almost continous same sounding music grabs you. Fantastic.
Question,
I want to see Les Mis in Feb in London. Daughter dragging along, i sense would sit through Les Mis ( for me ) rather than Wicked put it that way.
SO, thoughts go out to those who have seen it.
Aware it has been around a long time, and did read that perhaps it's not the show it once was....but never having seen it live that makes no difference to me.
- Is it a good show / entertaining / fun..not the right word perhaps?
- Seating - stalls raised much? or better in a from a grand circle.
- Intense?
- just a good couple of hours of a high end production?
A few questions curious about.l I see from box office the sales remain high compared with a few other shows looking at.
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3,325 posts
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Post by Dr Tom on Jan 2, 2023 13:24:36 GMT
I want to see Les Mis in Feb in London. Daughter dragging along, i sense would sit through Les Mis ( for me ) rather than Wicked put it that way. SO, thoughts go out to those who have seen it. Here is the existing discussion (all 67 pages): theatreboard.co.uk/thread/42/les-mis-rables-sondheim-theatreThis is a popular show with tourists and has a good repeat fan base. The London production is essentially the same as the tour, so if the tour is coming near you, you don't need to use up a London show slot. It isn't the original production, but it is still very good. Many would consider this heavy going. Personally, I hated the Grand Circle when I sat there. The view is generally okay, but people like to talk (or translate) the show from those seats. There are also a lot of loud noises in the second half and they launch the pyros from the upper level. Some people will love that, but it leaves me on edge (even knowing when it the show they happen). Best I remember is that the rake was reasonable, but check out TheatreMonkey and SeatPlan for more considered opinions Otherwise, the Dress Circle is generally a reasonable balance between distance and view. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 2, 2023 14:00:07 GMT
Merged
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Post by A.Ham on Jan 2, 2023 15:38:44 GMT
Yes, for a first timer wanting to see everything I’d recommend the dress circle - as near the front as you’re happy to pay. The Grand Circle is of course cheaper, but I didn’t like it much when I sat up there.
Yes it’s a ‘heavy’ show (and lengthy - Act 1 is 90 mins, Act 2 around an hour), but personally I think it’s impossible not to be totally drawn into the music and emotion of the whole thing. A must see, and I’ve been back at least a dozen times since!
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Post by 141920grm on Jan 2, 2023 15:48:26 GMT
I'd say it's still a pretty good show and good way to spend 2h 50min! (disclaimer: am part of that repeat fan base) If you're not particularly wedded to the original/know it inside out- very much worth a watch if you are already considering it. Yes it's 'intense' in places but not any more than the movie/staged concert- emotions might hit harder only because it's live and fully acted out onstage, perhaps! But that only attests to the continued strength of the production, score, company, etc. Agree with above comment productions are not that much different seeing it in town/tour, and the casts are similarly strong/balanced (the alternate JVJ in both town/tour are both very very good and personally recommended!), although 1) London gives a more intimate feel being in a smaller theatre compared to many of the tour venues I've seen, 2) the tour is closing in 2 weeks, so you'll have to make your way to Cardiff before then. Stalls are generally fine (yes check seatplan.com/london/sondheim-theatre/seating-plan/) and I also dislike the Grand Circle as it's too far to read the actors' faces for me (in my experience shocking theatre etiquette is found in all sections...), Dress Circle is a good balance- TKTS usually has good on-the-day discounts but of course riskier than buying ahead- and if you don't mind seeing the show from the extreme side, the loges/slips are relatively good value... |
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Post by SuttonPeron on Jan 2, 2023 15:58:01 GMT
I'd say it's still a pretty good show and good way to spend 2h 50min! (disclaimer: am part of that repeat fan base) If you're not particularly wedded to the original/know it inside out- very much worth a watch if you are already considering it. Yes it's 'intense' in places but not any more than the movie/staged concert- emotions might hit harder only because it's live and fully acted out onstage, perhaps! But that only attests to the continued strength of the production, score, company, etc. Agree with above comment productions are not that much different seeing it in town/tour, and the casts are similarly strong/balanced (the alternate JVJ in both town/tour are both very very good and personally recommended!), although 1) London gives a more intimate feel being in a smaller theatre compared to many of the tour venues I've seen, 2) the tour is closing in 2 weeks, so you'll have to make your way to Cardiff before then. Stalls are generally fine (yes check seatplan.com/london/sondheim-theatre/seating-plan/) and I also dislike the Grand Circle as it's too far to read the actors' faces for me (in my experience shocking theatre etiquette is found in all sections...), Dress Circle is a good balance- TKTS usually has good on-the-day discounts but of course riskier than buying ahead- and if you don't mind seeing the show from the extreme side, the loges/slips are relatively good value... Agreed. The show is intense, but for a good reason. Packed with emotion and a very solid score. I sat on the slips seeing the show for the first time and didn´t feel like I missed any action. That being said, I had seen the concert versions several tiems and knew the lyrics well. |
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703 posts
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Post by theatremiss on Jan 17, 2023 20:10:40 GMT
With John Robyn’s leaving in a few weeks and Christopher Jacobsen temporarily taking over as Jean Valjean, has anyone got any idea who the new permanent lead will be?
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Jan 18, 2023 9:39:10 GMT
has anyone got any idea who the new permanent lead will be? I've heard that it may be one of the names mentioned over in the phantom thread. |
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Post by longinthetooth on Jan 18, 2023 11:43:25 GMT
Seems like Phantoms and Valjeans are all interchangeable!
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Post by scarlett3 on Jan 18, 2023 12:56:47 GMT
Do we know when Jon’s last day is? I’d like to catch him again before he leaves.
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703 posts
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Post by theatremiss on Jan 19, 2023 19:11:10 GMT
has anyone got any idea who the new permanent lead will be? I've heard that it may be one of the names mentioned over in the phantom thread. So many names mentioned there so guess I’ll just have to wait and see |
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Post by carmella1 on Jan 19, 2023 20:07:18 GMT
Seems like Phantoms and Valjeans are all interchangeable! When Cam Mac loves you, you will never be out of work. The LM/P express. |
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Post by steve10086 on Jan 19, 2023 20:32:38 GMT
Seems like Phantoms and Valjeans are all interchangeable! Hasn’t it always been that way from the start? Colm Wilkinson played the Phantom at Sydmonton in 1985. |
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Jan 20, 2023 21:04:25 GMT
A friend at the show tonight says there’s a show stop. Christopher Jacobson (Jean Valjean) apparently fell over during the Fantine death scene. Crawled across the stage and gave a thumbs up to offstage and they dropped the curtain.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 20, 2023 21:51:20 GMT
Wow. WTF?
is he ok?
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Post by anxiousoctopus on Jan 20, 2023 21:53:48 GMT
Don’t know yet. There was a 30 minute show stop but the show’s back up and running with a swing as Jean Valjean now |
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