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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2019 22:03:49 GMT
shady23 I had a Geordie Gavroche when I went too and he was adorable! He probably got the biggest cheer at bows that day.
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Post by shady23 on Sept 30, 2019 22:27:18 GMT
Every single ticket has been sold for the last week of shows in Newcastle.
People at work were interested in going. I said book quickly. They didn't, perhaps misguidedly waiting for "offers". Was never going to happen. You snooze you loose, I guess.
So many regional tours are struggling but it goes to show that when a show of absolute quality comes into town, people WILL pay the money. I doubt a show of this quality will come to the North East again anytime soon.
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Post by David J on Sept 30, 2019 22:31:22 GMT
Managed to get a seat further forwards in the stalls for tonight
Had Zac Hamilton as Valjean so there’s goes the opportunity to see Donnelly after his queens run. But I was impressed by Hamilton. His vibrato was noticeable in the higher notes but he gave a solid performance
Nic Greenshields was certainly the highlight. He certainly knows how to sing and act the notes. Perhaps a bit limited in the facial and bodily expression department but nevertheless he stood out the most
One oddity was he wasn’t wearing his inspectors uniform in the Paris scenes tonight. Don’t know whether this was a one off
I remember reading praise (possibly from the old forum) for Martin Ball as Thenardier when he was in the queens production so was excited to see him. Definetly one of the best who doesn’t rely on comedy and shows how nasty the character is.
I liked Harry Apps as Marius. After meeting Cosette he acts like a child experiencing love for the first time. Nice that he committed to it even if he over egged it at times (he had a singin in the rain lamppost moment in red and black).
Leo Miles was a bit charismatic as Enjolras but whereas Will Richardson likes to hold up his fist, Miles likes to thrust his hand out at others a lot during the abc cafe scene.
Katie Hall I liked though few Fantines stand out to me. Tegan Bannister was good too expressing her love for Marius but she could show more in on my own
I never thought I’d see the day when Gavorche gives Javert the finger!
As to the production, well despite my bias to the original this is certainly a breath of fresh air after seeing the same motions from the former. I particularly liked how Cossette seemed to have more agency in this version. Don’t know if that’s understudy Emma Warrens interpretation or whether she’s directed that way
Loved Javert’s Suicide and the music booming out. Like the projections and battles. Still miss the original’s silhouettes of the poor in ateotd, the barricades and revolve (if only we can have the best of two worlds). Please add the locations and dates
Not keen on how at the end of the day now transitions to I dreamed a dream. Clearly they want to play Idad like the film but it felt forced and abrupt
Oh and I hate the students walking on in plain sight during empty chairs and the ending. Looks pathetic compared to them walking out of the darkness
Is eponine now taking the bullet for Marius? I missed it but it was certainly different to how she’s originally shot. I certainly noticed they make a reference to the book when convict valjean took a coin from a boy
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Post by shady23 on Sept 30, 2019 22:56:01 GMT
Zac does the Monday night show and a midweek matinee, if it is a 9 show week.
K.D. is contacted to do seven shows a week.
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Post by David J on Sept 30, 2019 23:25:56 GMT
Zac does the Monday night show and a midweek matinee, if it is a 9 show week. K.D. is contacted to do seven shows a week. I should have expected it was the traditional understudy valjean night on Mondays like the queens. Can’t complain since I’m always up for seeing different people in the roles and I was lucky to find that return ticket last week. Spoke to the woman next to me whose friend had the seat but couldn’t come.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2019 16:05:33 GMT
I'm not sure if we had a cut show or if those lines have just been cut from this version altogether but I noticed that in Look Down, we didn't have the "what do you think you're at? Hanging round my pitch" section, and in Turning there wasn't "every year another brat another mouth to fill", both of which I remember from London.
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Post by daisy24601 on Oct 1, 2019 18:55:57 GMT
I'm not sure if we had a cut show or if those lines have just been cut from this version altogether but I noticed that in Look Down, we didn't have the "what do you think you're at? Hanging round my pitch" section, and in Turning there wasn't "every year another brat another mouth to fill", both of which I remember from London. I know they changed some lines in Turning but I don't remember the other bit not happening. Always quite enjoy that bit so I hope it's not cut.
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Post by shady23 on Oct 1, 2019 19:32:20 GMT
Found this tweet fascinating and gives some insight into the life of a swing (may have to click to read all the detail)
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Post by xanady on Oct 1, 2019 19:36:53 GMT
^Blimey!....who knew?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2019 22:01:13 GMT
I think they must have just been low on ensemble the day I went as that section was definitely on the cast album, but they went straight to “where are the leaders of the land?”.
I did go the day after Corrine fell into the pit, so maybe that was the track she was supposed to be swung on for but couldn’t do due to injury.
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Post by daisy24601 on Oct 1, 2019 22:27:31 GMT
I saw that tweet and couldn't make head nor tail of it!
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Post by scarlett3 on Oct 1, 2019 23:05:11 GMT
I'm not sure if we had a cut show or if those lines have just been cut from this version altogether but I noticed that in Look Down, we didn't have the "what do you think you're at? Hanging round my pitch" section, and in Turning there wasn't "every year another brat another mouth to fill", both of which I remember from London. The section in Look Down with the prostitutes has been cut for this tour and Gavroche's lyrics have been changed to the film's version. I think this is the first time they've done this in the UK, but it might have been in place in the last Broadway revival as I seem to recall talk of Gavroche's new lines at the time. They're using this version in the current concerts, despite the prostitutes making it into the O2 concert, so I'm assuming this change will remain when the new production opens. Those lines from Turning have been changed to 'who will wake them? / no one ever will / no one ever told them that a summer's day can kill', with a child singing the 'who will wake them?'. These new lines were also in the last tour and are in the current concerts so, again, I expect they'll be staying.
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Post by shady23 on Oct 2, 2019 11:12:49 GMT
Harry is leaving the tour at cast change and joining the London production as Marius. I am overjoyed for him.
Fexis Mosse takes over on tour and Eponine will be played by Frances Mayli McCann.
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Post by shady23 on Oct 2, 2019 11:14:38 GMT
Full casting and new dates from the official website
Cameron Mackintosh announced today casting for the second year of the UK and Ireland tour of his acclaimed production of the Boublil and Schönberg musical “LES MISÉRABLES”. From 18 November 2019 Dean Chisnall will play ‘Jean Valjean’, Nic Greenshields ‘Javert’, Katie Hall ‘Fantine’, Ian Hughes ‘Thénardier’, Felix Mosse ‘Marius’, Frances Mayli McCann 'Eponine', Charlie Burn ‘Cosette’, Barnaby Hughes ‘Enjolras’ and Helen Walsh ‘Madame Thénardier’.
Also in the cast will be Joseph Anthony, George Arvidson, Will Barratt, Adam Boardman, Rebecca Bolton, Olivia Brereton, Danny Colligan, Rebecca Ferrin, Aimee Good, Jenna Innes, Ebony Jonelle, Connor Jones, Tessa Kadler, Damian Kneale, Joseph McDonnell, Robert Madge, Liam Marcellino, Emily Owens, Jordan Simon Pollard, Corrinne Priest, Jamie Pritchard, Aaron Pryce-Lewis, Dean Read and Janne Snellen.
Further 2020 dates were also announced today with “LES MISÉRABLES” now confirmed to play Bristol Hippodrome (7 April – 9 May 2020), Glasgow Theatre Royal (3 – 27 June 2020), Leeds Grand Theatre (23 July – 15 August 2020), Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre (25 August – 12 September 2020) Canterbury Marlowe Theatre (25 September – 24 October 2020) and Hull New Theatre (28 October - 21 November 2020).
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Post by 49thand8th on Oct 2, 2019 14:16:57 GMT
Frances Mayli McCann was GREAT in Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour. Hooray for her!
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Post by Dawnstar on Oct 2, 2019 18:34:55 GMT
Also in the cast will be Joseph Anthony, George Arvidson, Will Barratt, Adam Boardman, Rebecca Bolton, Olivia Brereton, Danny Colligan, Rebecca Ferrin, Aimee Good, Jenna Innes, Ebony Jonelle, Connor Jones, Tessa Kadler, Damian Kneale, Joseph McDonnell, Robert Madge, Liam Marcellino, Emily Owens, Jordan Simon Pollard, Corrinne Priest, Jamie Pritchard, Aaron Pryce-Lewis, Dean Read and Janne Snellen. I think I saw Robert Madge play Gavroche about 10 years ago. He's now evidently in the adult ensemble. I feel very old!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2019 20:24:22 GMT
I’ll definitely try and head to the Glasgow stop, or perhaps Hull. I’m really happy for Harry and all the ensemble that are going into the West End, especially for those whose first jobs have been in this show.
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Post by danb on Oct 2, 2019 20:31:23 GMT
Harry made a great non-drippy Marius. Too often is he played as wet beyond belief, but Harry had a bit of spunk to him. Good on him!
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Post by shady23 on Oct 6, 2019 10:56:42 GMT
I was looking out for this and, yes, she pushes him out of the way and she gets shot instead.
I ended up getting a return and going back on Friday. A treat to myself after a long week.
We had lots of covers on.
Mary-Jean Caldwell was Fantine. Jessie Hart was Eponine Shane O'Riordan was Marius (he is joining the new London cast so I assume he will still be covering Harry) Helen Aylott was Madame T
I thought all were excellent.
Sadly the show has now left Newcastle. Well they are packing up now, I just passed the theatre, and the banners have already changed outside.
It was a treat to see such a magnificent production outside London. Sadly, it's back to the "just ok" productions playing here for the forceeable future.
I will definitely be travelling to see this show again. Very rarely do I give a production five stars but five stars just doesn't seem enough for this production. It really is stunning.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2019 18:15:58 GMT
Full casting and new dates from the official website From 18 November 2019 Dean Chisnall will play ‘Jean Valjean’, Nic Greenshields ‘Javert’, Katie Hall ‘Fantine’, Ian Hughes ‘Thénardier’, Felix Mosse ‘Marius’, Frances Mayli McCann 'Eponine', Charlie Burn ‘Cosette’, Barnaby Hughes ‘Enjolras’ and Helen Walsh ‘Madame Thénardier’.Just noticed the new cast date (above) of 18th November. Which would mean DURING the Southampton run, the new cast coming in for the last week. Does anyone know if this is a mistake or likely to be true? (Do recall one of the Cats tours doing a major cast change in the middle of it's Wimbledon run, but that is the only other example I can think of. It made for a very fat programme as they did one for the whole run but with both casts....)
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Post by singularsensation10 on Oct 7, 2019 18:37:32 GMT
Just noticed the new cast date (above) of 18th November. Which would mean DURING the Southampton run, the new cast coming in for the last week. Does anyone know if this is a mistake or likely to be true? (Do recall one of the Cats tours doing a major cast change in the middle of it's Wimbledon run, but that is the only other example I can think of. It made for a very fat programme as they did one for the whole run but with both casts....) Yes likely to be true to give them a stable base to rehearse with the set and costumes etc, they’re likely to rehearse during the days before the show for 1-2 weeks before opening.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Oct 7, 2019 18:56:50 GMT
It was a treat to see such a magnificent production outside London. Sadly, it's back to the "just ok" productions playing here for the forceeable future. I will definitely be travelling to see this show again. Very rarely do I give a production five stars but five stars just doesn't seem enough for this production. It really is stunning. What would you say to the people who appear to be boycotting it at the Sondheim because there's no revolve?
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Post by Steffi on Oct 8, 2019 6:23:08 GMT
Full casting and new dates from the official website From 18 November 2019 Dean Chisnall will play ‘Jean Valjean’, Nic Greenshields ‘Javert’, Katie Hall ‘Fantine’, Ian Hughes ‘Thénardier’, Felix Mosse ‘Marius’, Frances Mayli McCann 'Eponine', Charlie Burn ‘Cosette’, Barnaby Hughes ‘Enjolras’ and Helen Walsh ‘Madame Thénardier’.Just noticed the new cast date (above) of 18th November. Which would mean DURING the Southampton run, the new cast coming in for the last week. Does anyone know if this is a mistake or likely to be true? (Do recall one of the Cats tours doing a major cast change in the middle of it's Wimbledon run, but that is the only other example I can think of. It made for a very fat programme as they did one for the whole run but with both casts....) Definitely true.
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Post by shady23 on Oct 8, 2019 22:18:31 GMT
It was a treat to see such a magnificent production outside London. Sadly, it's back to the "just ok" productions playing here for the forceeable future. I will definitely be travelling to see this show again. Very rarely do I give a production five stars but five stars just doesn't seem enough for this production. It really is stunning. 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.
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Post by undeuxtrois on Oct 13, 2019 2:01:55 GMT
Saw this again tonight in lpool - just incredible. I never had the chance to see the original, but I genuinely can't see how anyone could have a problem with the touring production? Especially with such a fantastic cast. Although my seat (circle H89) meant that I missed like half the stage at times, I really enjoyed my evening. Sadly could hardly see Katie Hall in Fantine's Death and IDAD, but her voice more than made up for it. Again Nic Greenshields blew me away - faultless in every way. Loved Killain, Harry and Bronwen, though she sang so quickly. The cover Eponine, Jessie Hart, was lovely, and I thought she was better than the main Eponine. I honestly don't know if it's just me, considering the positive audience reaction, but I just don't like Sophie Dann in this role? She just screeches, is inaudible at times and is slightly painful to listen to. I thought the same when I saw her in March too. However Martin Ball was great. Having been in hospital since July, and will be until at least November, this was a lovely evening and I can't wait to see it again in two weeks in a slightly better seat. Great production and cast
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Post by undeuxtrois on Oct 13, 2019 2:04:59 GMT
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.
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Post by david on Oct 14, 2019 23:51:07 GMT
I was at last nights performance at the Liverpool Empire and that was 3hrs of musical theatre bliss. Both the new staging and performance of this iconic show was for me a 5⭐️ production. The orchestra was just stunning to listen to. The use of the video screen backdrop and the lighting design I thought was incredibly effective. This production I would say is just as good as the original (even without the revolve). Zac Hamilton as Valjean was just stunning. His rendition of Bring Him Home was just sublime. Nic Greenshields as Javert was just as great both in the acting and his singing of Stars was a joy to listen to. Martin Ball as Thenardier was great. For the ladies, Katie Hall was superb as Fantine with her rendition of IDAD. I’m in agreement with undeuxtrois , I wasn’t entirely convinced by Sophie Dann as Mrs T. Some great comedy, but at times there was too much screeching during the singing. Aside from watching this fantastic production, it was a rare night out the theatre where I could sit back and enjoy the on stage proceedings without people’s mobiles ringing and patrons turning up drunk and disturbing everyone else. After tonight, I’m seriously considering a trip to the Lowry next year for another watch.
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Post by djp on Oct 15, 2019 23:21:23 GMT
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 .
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Post by shady23 on Oct 23, 2019 15:41:34 GMT
Wish I could have seen this
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Post by shady23 on Oct 23, 2019 15:42:29 GMT
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