Les Miserables - The Staged Concert

Hello all, I'm new here!

I went last night and was completely blown away. I absolutely loved it. (I've seen it 25+ times in various productions)

JOJ was outstanding and I also really loved Katy Secombe's Madame T.

If I'm honest I wasn't a fan of Eponine in this production, whilst Shan Ako can undoubtedly sing I felt it lacked the emotion I personally favour and I didn't feel as heartbroken for her as I have done with other 'ponines in the past. (Which is why I like the OLC/OBC Eponine)

I thought the ensemble were the stand-outs and Bradley Jaden's Enjolras is just stunning!

Evening ruined slightly by an idiot next to me checking her phone every so often though. Can people not go a few hours without the blimmin' things glued to their hand? The tickets cost me a lot of money and was a luxury I cannot afford often so rather frustrated to be sat beside such a selfish idiot.

Adding my two pence to this for what it's worth from last night (this might be a bit long I hope you don't mind!):

Going in, I was expecting a big full sound from the orchestra, and a couple of good performances/vocals. But what I got, was something so much more than that.

Deliberately booked to see John Owen Jones (as I've heard Alfie sing it and I'd quite like to see someone who also acts...!) and I honestly can't offer enough superlatives for just how brilliant he actually was. After Colm Wilkinson, he is surely the definitive Valjean? To him, it wasn't a concert - he was giving you the full Valjean that you'd seen in the fully staged production, just stood still. And my god, his vocal was about as perfect for Valjean as it gets. To get to see him stood front and centre in a spot light and deliver 'Bring Him Home' was proper special (as proven by the audience reaction and the multiple people standing at the end of the song.)
There aren't enough words to praise him.

Michael Ball.
Well, for Act 1 I got what I expected, which was a pretty secure vocal, but no real presence at all. It's difficult to imagine Ball as the 'villain' Javert, and for Act 1 that was fair. A confident, if emotionally fraught 'Stars' bought the house down. But it was his deliver of 'Javert's suicide' in which he went into full gear. Biting out every word, slowing it right down, and ACTING! It's a shame Javert is done then, because he'd absolutely found his stride.

I'm not normally that fussed on Carrie Hope Fletcher, but after JOJ, she was my highlight of the evening. Having seen her as Eponine, I wasn't sure how the transition to Fantine would work, but no fear - she has the character down to a T. 'I Dreamed a Dream' is a real special moment, where Carrie is giving you a full performance, not just a nice vocal. Very pleased that she'll be continuing as Fantine to the Sondheim in December - it's a part that suits her very well.

Matt Lucas and Katy Secombe lost any ounce of menace in the Thenardiers and went full 'Panto Dame' instead, which works as an approach but isn't for me. Audience ate it for breakfast though.

Of the rest of them, I thought Bradley Jaden and Rob Houchen were the two standouts - Bradley for his astonishing presence and vocal ability, and Rob for the arc he gave to Marius, which worked really well. Super interested to see Bradley as Javert though! Shan Ako is proper belting Eponine from the get go, which is a bit problematic in some of the quieter moments of Act 1, but she gives a fabulous 'On My Own'.
Did not think much of Cosette - she had no real performance, and was very soft in her vocal.
Oh, and it's CRIMINAL that Earl Carpenter had so little to do!

The staging is very clever, with the bridge dropping in, and the steps down to backstage in the centre of the stage a clever way of the dead departing (loved the lighting in those moments too!) Thought the lighting of the battles too were really effective and powerful.
Big shout to Alfonso and the orchestra on high, who truly do give the score justice - Les Mis really is one of those scores where a grand orchestra makes all the difference. Great to be able to see them on stage too - it just worked really well.
From what I could see, it was pretty much a majority standing ovation in the stalls for One Day More, which I wasn't expecting at all. It is easily the best I've ever heard Les Mis sung and sound though, so it's hardly surprising! and then a full standing ovation as they hit the final note of the epilogue, but that was more than deserved!

Sorry if that was a little long, but just wanted to share my thoughts - I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I might (and was a lot more emotional than I expected!)

A smart producer might do a two disc special of both Valjeans... Alfie Boe's could be presented in a limited edition wooden case; John Owen Jones' in a smooth silk lined sleeve.

They were obviously going to film it for archive - the most we could hope for is a CD - it’s essentially the 25th anniversary so they won’t put it out on DVD/cinema.

Does anyone know who’ll be playing Marius whilst Rob Houchen is performing in Light in the Piazza in LA October 12-20? Assuming LA Opera’s cast list is accurate www.laopera.org/performances/201920-season/the-light-in-the-piazza/

Craig is one of the best Mariuses I have seen. He could possibly be just about a little too old to play the role as principal, but he was so very youthful the last time I saw him in the role, which was more than several years ago.

BTW, I never thought I would pay a three figure sum for a theatre ticket, but now I am finding myself paying whatever the greedy CM demands us to pay in the dynamic pricing system whenever I spot a day I think I can make it to the Geilgud after work. But what can we do? This may be our last chance to see JOJ play JVJ in full. Someone may be awarded an OBE, but we know who the true national treasure is.

Alfie off tonight, John on instead.

Just out from the matinee with puffy eyes. Does anyone know if JOJ is replacing AB tonight again? If so, I will buy a tkt for tonight as well.

BTW, a woman next to me and a man in front of me gave me diry looks when I hooted for JOJ. Why?

Screams of appreciation/admiration!

I was also at the matinee today! £15 slip seat well exceeded its value, I was very pleased.
Generally I enjoyed it as I love the songs, but doesn't beat the full production in any way.
John Owen Jones was indeed incredible, definitely the best JVJ I've seen. I didn't mind Ball but don't think he fitted the role well and I didn't like how he played Javert's Suicide at all. His version of Stars was great to be fair!
Bradley Jaden and Rob Houchen were standouts in the rest of the cast for sure, as said before!

I was there last night in the front row. I didn't specifically book to see Alfie Boe but I had missed out on seeing him back when he was originally in it due to him being ill so would quite have liked to see him. After seeing John Owen Jones...WOW! Outstanding singing and there was emotion behind every word, I forgot about Alfie by the time the show was done.

I really couldn't fault much about the cast at all. Bradley Jaden as Enjolras was probably the stand out to me (other than John as Valjean). He has the most amazing voice and presence and is damn good looking too which always helps.
Carrie has certainly earnt her role as Fantine with a voice like that, she doesn't deserve a lot of the hate on twitter (mostly aimed at her look and figure).
Matt Lucas and Katy Secombe are the most hilarious pairing, they bounce off each other perfectly. I have always been a big fan of Matt so I was very happy he was on.
I was nervous about Shan (Eponine) after seeing a few negative reviews of her but I loved her voice, maybe not the acting as much but that's hard to do when its a concert version. I look forward to seeing her in the full production when it returns.
Lily Kerhoas (Cosette) didn't do too much for me, she certainly looks the part but it was all a bit 'meh'. Seeing this reminds me how small a part Cosette actually is, having not seen the show since around 2011.
Sophia Revie very cute as Little Cosette, Charlie Hagen was an excellent Gavroche and it was fun to watch him even sitting in the background, he was always fully in part and looked terrified when the gunshots were going off.

9.5/10 from me. If I can find the time and money and a ticket, I'll try and get back 1 more time before it closes.

Barnaby Hughes is presumably leaving early as he'll be joining the tour as Enjolras in November - Barnaby is second cover Enjolras in the concert. Only ever saw Niall in the ensemble in Les Mis but saw him as Barrett in Titanic last year and thought his singing was excellent!