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Post by 141920grm on Dec 10, 2019 14:33:14 GMT
The trick is not to keep on adding adlibs- but to rearrange the furniture, lighting , and positioning a bit, and take out some of the panto. There's room for new ideas, but also watching what worked in the past and bringing back some of the old detail .
Have a lot of ad-libs and "panto" been added in this restaging?! Haven't had a chance to watch the tour but am familiar with the revolve production.
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Post by 10642 on Dec 10, 2019 15:45:05 GMT
The trick is not to keep on adding adlibs- but to rearrange the furniture, lighting , and positioning a bit, and take out some of the panto. There's room for new ideas, but also watching what worked in the past and bringing back some of the old detail .
Have a lot of ad-libs and "panto" been added in this restaging?! Haven't had a chance to watch the tour but am familiar with the revolve production. The Thenardiers are more comedic than in the original production, but they still stick mostly to the existing libretto. Its more comedic acting and delivery of existing lines rather than adding in extra lines like in the staged concert.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 10, 2019 15:58:15 GMT
Is there a bit more physical stuff from the Thenardiers in the new version? Is there some business with a bird in a cage that ends up in the mincing machine that isn’t in the original WE production?
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Post by 10642 on Dec 10, 2019 16:44:19 GMT
Is there a bit more physical stuff from the Thenardiers in the new version? Is there some business with a bird in a cage that ends up in the mincing machine that isn’t in the original WE production? Yeah in the “food beyond compare” verse of master of the house they put a bird in a mincer and a couple of feathers come out
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Post by xanady on Dec 10, 2019 22:26:35 GMT
Ad-libbing and panto slapstick? Sounds like a right Carry On...😉
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Post by Bickers on Dec 11, 2019 14:20:19 GMT
I was at Cardiff on Monday night, and Joseph Anthony was on for JVJ. The make up and wigs aged him well later on but he looked so young to start with, he could only have been about 6 when he was first imprisoned! A lovely voice though, and acted the part well. He had to repeat on of his lines when he dropped a piece of the Bishop's silver, but handled that with no problem. I did feel like he was rushing through his lines at times, particularly in the first half of Act 1, didn't notice it at all in Act 2. All other principals were on.
I haven't seen the show since the 25th Anniversary shows, culminating at the Barbican just over 9 years ago (I'm still trying to forget the movie). For me, the casting for that was spot on, and I think this time round was always going to be hard to live up to my expectations. Consequently there were a few things I found disappointing, not desperately so but I'd say the show was very good rather than amazing. I found the sound wasn't always great, and there were lines that I simply couldn't hear as they blended in with whatever the ensemble were singing at the time. Orchestra was lush though, not enough shows have such a magnificent orchestra! I missed having the dates and locations in the projections, although I've seen the show a few times previously, the timeline would be helpful, particularly for newcomers.
Nic's Javert was fabulous, a wonderful voice and such a presence on stage. I actually felt sorry for him during his suicide for the first time, and the projections worked wonderfully for this scene in particular (although they were generally good, very atmospheric).
It was great to see Katie Hall again, having now become her own mother, as it were, since the last tour. She still has a lovely voice, and I really felt for Fantine's plight. She was the main person I preferred over the 25th cast, as Madelena Alberto's portrayal was a bit too angry and not quite for me.
I also enjoyed Eponine and her On My Own was very well received. I did wonder why, though, when all the rest of the cast were using southern English accents, did she retain the actress' Scottish accent? I didn't dislike it, don't get me wrong, but just wondered why other regional/national accents weren't retained? (sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, I haven't read the whole thread). I know the last tour essentially had the good guys as southerners and the bad guys as northerners which was a bit suspect, but I liked hearing a few different accents at least.
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Post by Bickers on Dec 17, 2019 14:14:40 GMT
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Post by xanady on Dec 17, 2019 15:15:30 GMT
^Sounds scary and glad nobody was hurt...however if the touring barricade is still as laughably tiny and insignificant as it was when in Brum,a thimble-full of water would probably have sufficed 😂
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Post by djp on Dec 24, 2019 4:21:33 GMT
Is there a bit more physical stuff from the Thenardiers in the new version? Is there some business with a bird in a cage that ends up in the mincing machine that isn’t in the original WE production? Yes. {Spoiler - click to view} The whole scene goes to new highs or lows - polly gets minced and those deprived in the leg department are another victim. It takes what were jokes based on Thenardier being venal and nicking everything, and cuts some- while putting in more absurd examples. I preferred the original , but would have added polly as an extra visible gag. They can't seem to resist the temptation to add Matt Lucas like flourishes with adlibs either even Gavroche has been given wisecracks and silly walk . But they are the same people who thought Matt lucas was a good idea .
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Post by Steffi on Feb 16, 2020 7:39:23 GMT
Caught the show in Zurich last night. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would after being unimpressed by this version of the show when I I I saw it on Broadway. For me the revolve is missing a lot and the barricades look quite small and unremarkable (however, from what I remember they were even tinier on Broadway unless my memory is playing tricks on me). But all in all the staging works.
Good to see Dean Chisnall’s Valjean again. Also Cameron Blakely’s Thenardier who remains one of my all time favorites in the role. Nic Greenshield’d Javert I thought I would love but sadly I didn’t. He has an wonderful voice and an impressive stage presence but for some reason he seemed quite stiff in his movements. Also, get the man a new set of costumes - his look like they’ve shrunk in the washing. I saw the understudy for Marius (Danny Colligan) who I thought was great. Couldn’t really warm to Barnaby Hughes’ Enjolras.
All in all I’m glad I saw the tour. I might go again sometime this summer. Bit of a shame the show doesn’t seem to have picked up in Zurich. For a Saturday evening there were a lot of empty seats. And I was told the Circle has been closed for the past week due to lack of ticket sales.
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Post by shady23 on Feb 16, 2020 8:19:25 GMT
Les Mis and "lack of ticket sales" in the same sentence.
This is new!
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Post by viserys on Feb 16, 2020 8:32:40 GMT
I used to think Les Mis never did well in the German-speaking area due to the abysmal translation, so it's interesting that the English version doesn't sell much better. That said, I thought a full month's run was optimistic at Swiss prices.
Wonder if this means they won't bring it to Cologne now as they did with Miss Saigon before.
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Post by Steffi on Feb 16, 2020 9:50:38 GMT
Wonder if this means they won't bring it to Cologne now as they did with Miss Saigon before. Originally there were plans to bring it to Cologne but everything has gone quiet on that front. The cast doesn’t think it’s going to happen.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2020 11:56:40 GMT
So Miss Saigon didn’t fare particularly well in Zurich, and got a much better reception in Cologne. Helped perhaps by more sensible pricing.
Daft given that if they have chosen to go back to Zurich but not Cologne.
Despite fact that will have seen the tour both years in Manc and Brum and also Leicester, Southampton and Bristol, I’d prob still go to Cologne to see it. Great city and can combine with Starlight nearby in Bochum. The acoustics in the Dome in Cologne are also fantastic as are the sight lines. Never heard Miss Saigon sound better!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2020 14:32:16 GMT
Had to bump this lol - makes me anxious not to have at least one of the Les Mis threads immediately visible when I log on ;-)
Just had an e-mail from ATG re my tickets for Bristol Hippodrome next weekend. It said they are 'working with producers to re-schedule and will automatically transfer tickets to new dates." Hope this is right!
I am also hoping Phantom Manchester may get re-scheduled.
For Les Mis I also have tickets for Manchester (well, Salford) Lowry and Brum. Do hope things will be up and running by then....
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Post by Dr Tom on Apr 2, 2020 15:23:33 GMT
Just had an e-mail from ATG re my tickets for Bristol Hippodrome next weekend. It said they are 'working with producers to re-schedule and will automatically transfer tickets to new dates." Hope this is right! I got that email three times this morning (not for Les Mis), including for a show from last week where the tour has already been announced as cancelled! So suspect it's just a way of delaying having to make refunds.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2020 15:29:53 GMT
Just had an e-mail from ATG re my tickets for Bristol Hippodrome next weekend. It said they are 'working with producers to re-schedule and will automatically transfer tickets to new dates." Hope this is right! I got that email three times this morning (not for Les Mis), including for a show from last week where the tour has already been announced as cancelled! So suspect it's just a way of delaying having to make refunds. Hmmm. I confess I did wonder....
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 6, 2020 16:29:13 GMT
Lowry run postponed to May 2021. Existing tickets will be valid. Wait for an email with options.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2020 11:29:31 GMT
Lowry run postponed to May 2021. Existing tickets will be valid. Wait for an email with options. Shame but not unexpected! Does anyone have any experience of how tickets are re-allocated when things are postponed? I mean when this happens in peacetime. Do they generally move you to the same day of the week and the same seat? I guess they would do all this before tickets go onto general sale again otherwise will be a shambles. I had two tickets but very much have a fave seat at the Lowry (aisle of centre block on the row where the two aisles start - think G or J ish; same as my fave seat at Manchesterford Opera House).
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Apr 7, 2020 11:56:04 GMT
Lowry run postponed to May 2021. Existing tickets will be valid. Wait for an email with options. Shame but not unexpected! Does anyone have any experience of how tickets are re-allocated when things are postponed? I mean when this happens in peacetime. Do they generally move you to the same day of the week and the same seat? I guess they would do all this before tickets go onto general sale again otherwise will be a shambles. I had two tickets but very much have a fave seat at the Lowry (aisle of centre block on the row where the two aisles start - think G or J ish; same as my fave seat at Manchesterford Opera House). I was wondering the same. You would imagine it would be easiest to just put people in the same place, different night.
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Post by richey on Apr 7, 2020 15:50:15 GMT
Lowry run postponed to May 2021. Existing tickets will be valid. Wait for an email with options. Shame but not unexpected! Does anyone have any experience of how tickets are re-allocated when things are postponed? I mean when this happens in peacetime. Do they generally move you to the same day of the week and the same seat? I guess they would do all this before tickets go onto general sale again otherwise will be a shambles. I had two tickets but very much have a fave seat at the Lowry (aisle of centre block on the row where the two aisles start - think G or J ish; same as my fave seat at Manchesterford Opera House). I had some tickets reallocated by the Lowry last week for Fascinating Aida which has been rescheduled for October. They tried their best to put me in seats as close to the original allocation I had.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 14:23:23 GMT
So Les Mis was quick to put out it's announcement that it is off in London until the end of June as per SOLT.
But interestingly the tour page has not yet been updated. And you can still buy tickets for Glasgow (for June).
I am fairly sure this will end up being cancelled.
But I remain really hopeful (probably unrealistically but there we are) for Birmingham in July.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 14:26:38 GMT
So Les Mis was quick to put out it's announcement that it is off in London until the end of June as per SOLT. But interestingly the tour page has not yet been updated. And you can still buy tickets for Glasgow (for June). I am fairly sure this will end up being cancelled. But I remain really hopeful (probably unrealistically but there we are) for Birmingham in July. Yes, I noticed earlier that ATG are still selling tickets for Glasgow, despite someone mentioning on another thread that ATG have cancelled performances at all venues until 28th June. 🤷♂️
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 14:28:52 GMT
So Les Mis was quick to put out it's announcement that it is off in London until the end of June as per SOLT. But interestingly the tour page has not yet been updated. And you can still buy tickets for Glasgow (for June). I am fairly sure this will end up being cancelled. But I remain really hopeful (probably unrealistically but there we are) for Birmingham in July. Yes, I noticed earlier that ATG are still selling tickets for Glasgow, despite someone mentioning on another thread that ATG have cancelled performances at all venues until 28th June. 🤷♂️ Haha - really? I didn't click on the link from the Les Mis site so didn't know Glasgow was ATG. But that surprises me, errrr, not at all!
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 14:31:39 GMT
Yes, I noticed earlier that ATG are still selling tickets for Glasgow, despite someone mentioning on another thread that ATG have cancelled performances at all venues until 28th June. 🤷♂️ Haha - really? I didn't click on the link from the Les Mis site so didn't know Glasgow was ATG. But that surprises me, errrr, not at all! Yep, haha. It certainly lets you go as far as choosing your seat, but I didn't proceed any further.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 17:16:38 GMT
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Post by djp on May 13, 2020 22:55:12 GMT
Given a theatre isn't going to have more than 15% of its seats with social distancing , They can't offer the same seats when they won't have the same seats available. And no one has any solution to what to do about small toilets in cellars and lofts, with no air , or how to get people in or out without crowds forming, And how do you cope with the normal winter coughs and sneezes - you can't throw people out with a cough,or let them rebook for free, or expect people to sit next to someone with one. Basically, there's not going to be any theatre till either infection numbers per week fall dramatically lower, or the vaccine turns up Thats going be next year if we are lucky. And if you want to fill the theatres in London, you probably need to reduce prices, as those tourists won't be back for years .
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Post by Seriously on May 14, 2020 0:39:35 GMT
Couldn't we all just wear masks?
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2020 8:50:04 GMT
Given a theatre isn't going to have more than 15% of its seats with social distancing , They can't offer the same seats when they won't have the same seats available. And no one has any solution to what to do about small toilets in cellars and lofts, with no air , or how to get people in or out without crowds forming, And how do you cope with the normal winter coughs and sneezes - you can't throw people out with a cough,or let them rebook for free, or expect people to sit next to someone with one. Basically, there's not going to be any theatre till either infection numbers per week fall dramatically lower, or the vaccine turns up Thats going be next year if we are lucky. And if you want to fill the theatres in London, you probably need to reduce prices, as those tourists won't be back for years . Must we have this same conversation on every thread? Some valid comments, but for theatre in general and not specifically the Les Mis UK tour. I think you can find multiple threads in the general section already discussing this same thing in great detail.
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Post by djp on May 17, 2020 0:07:28 GMT
Couldn't we all just wear masks? Well yes. But the virus can get still get to you. I also fondly recall the moment in magic goes wrong when silence was asked for and was followed by a protracted gag as someone in the audience broke the silence every ten seconds or so coughing. You can't stage a show when the audience fixes on every person in the audience who coughs, and not the dramatic stage death of the moment.
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