Les Miserables - UK & Ireland Tour

What would you say to the people who appear to be boycotting it at the Sondheim because there's no revolve? 

Well, I thought I was going to be one of those people.

However, having now seen it four times I could not imagine how a revolve would work in this production. There is certainly nothing lacking in the staging in any way.

Did see someone taking a pic on their phone with flash on near the end though, an usher immediately escorted them out. Very distracting with the amount of people using their phones. Also the interval started a bit late due to bar queues.

Saw in Liverpool. My cunning ploy of going on press night worked and all the leads were on -which does make a difference.

Liverpool is a great venue. Audience are very responsive and the atmosphere was great. Their sound system was excellent- at least where i was.

The cast have nicely developed even more in their roles since i last saw it. Killian has if anything got even stronger and more commanding. Nic seems even more powerful and brings the house down still. Katie Hall gives an acting masterclass - as she takes us through Fantine's emotions, and decline , IDAD is a great combination of emotion and power, and it was shivers down the spine time as she sang the Epilogue. Tegan's Eponine is a great combination of character and power. Harry solves the Marius problem by combining youthful looks with a powerful vocal. And Martin Ball gives my definitive Thenardier- comic, but truly venal.

The result is that the plot continues to work , but its now punctuated by a wholes et of world class performances that get followed by long applause . its now become a show to remember with a whole set of individual gems en route.

The Sophie issue i don't think is Sophie. Its the attempt to make the comedy more obvious - that guides the whole master of the House sequence. It gets probably a bit to close to panto, some of the the old gags worked better, and there's joke overkill - both in the sense of quantity and silliness. They should have added fewer gags, and toned down Mrs T as a panto dame.

The Gavroche scene looks better when he doesn't stand on top for so long singing shoot me now - but his and Enjolras's fate still looked stronger in the original. Empty chairs still produces students blocked from view by Marius standing in front of them. And On My Own works even better if Eponine holds the applause up as she walks back stage - they should watch how Nancy Sullivan just held the audience in her hand - until she allowed them to applaud. Not everything has to be done quickly. But, on the plus side, Javerts fate, the introduction , and Turning look stronger than in the original .

I was at the matinee today. Understudies were on for Jean Valjean, Javert, Eponine, Cosette, Enjolras and Marius. I was surprised to see so many covers on. It was a great show, only spoiled by the chap behind me who seemed to think it was OK to sing along.

On tonight’s episode of Mastermind someone’s specialist subject is the musical Les Mis according to my TV guide.

I watched it, got most of them but some were very easy. Certainly didn't know that producer one.

Went a couple of Saturdays ago in Liverpool.

First thing - what an extraordinary theatre the Empire is. Just vast on two enormous sweeping levels (googled after and turns out is the largest two tier theatre in the UK). Architecturally imposing and atmospheric but the epitome of faded splendour, desperately in need of a complete restoration that it probably won't get from ATG. Had been there once before for Starlight but had forgotten what an amazing theatre it is. Deffo worth a visit for any theatre architecture geeks.

Interestingly as I sat down between all the Scousers holding their pints of beer and ATG rip off Prosecco I was worried about audience behaviour - but the lights went down and there were no problems at all. Was reflecting to a friend I rarely have audience problems in Manchester (where I go a lot more) and nearly all my bad experience are in London.

Stage is vast. I did wonder how smaller tours would not be totally lost in there. But Les Mis was fantastic. Think I've already said everything I have to say about this tour. Say what you will about Cam Mack, but he can absolutely be relied upon for quality. Lights, sets, sound, orchestra, and a fabulous cast. A great Les Mis.

Looking fwd to seeing the new cast in Southampton!

Haha - I did wonder if the good behaviour was the norm or a Les Mis thing! 

Yup, deffo a theatre that suits the big shows well. Reminded me a bit of the Apollo Victoria (pre renovation) and did day dream that could see the original Starlight race tracks coursing through the auditorium hiding the peeling paintwork of the walls as they did there....

Here at the Mayflower for the new cast’s second night

First of all everyone gave a huge applause for Nic Greenshields Stars and rightly so. What vocals does that man have

A shame Dean Chisnall doesn’t match that. I saw him at the last queens performance and his singing was fine but not strong. Enjoyed his acting but that was it. Here it’s exposed in this big venues overshadowed by Greensshields and Katie Hall. Maybe he’ll improve as time goes on but he sounded the same as back in July

The show however really picks up when the students come on. Felix Mosse was practically a kid as Marius and I was grinning watching him. It’s clear he’s having a great time. I can’t wait to see if he develops in the second act

It made the red and black scene more dynamic as he and grantaire were the troublemakers whilst the rest were the grown ups. Quite impressed by Barnaby Hughes as Enjolras