realitybites
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A major milestone missed?I've been told that Les Mis London is soon to celebrate 10,000 performances - and there is to be no celebration. Is this a further snub to the original production in favour of the new tour one (the tour one that is rumoured to be stealing the 25th anniversary status by being performed in the Barbican this October?).
What is going on?Is this true 
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Eppie-Sue
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Tonight was the 10,000th performance and I... don't really think there was anything special going on. Maybe a quick speech or something, I'm sure we'll hear about it from someone. But if it had been as much of a big deal as the 24th birthday, there would have been no understudies on at all for example. At least that's what it was like in the birthday week.
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Quique
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Seeing "25th ann. tour" and "Barbican" in the same sentence makes me want to die.
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kemathenga
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@Quique: We went to Barbican by tube before going to the theatre on saturday and I started babbling at our friend giving us a tour at the top of my voice: "That's where it all started 25 years ago! Les Mis started there and they were doubtful if they'd make it to the West End". The whole tube was staring 
Just to add my personal way of celebrating
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l'ivrogne transfigur�
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It could be argued that it actually started 29 years ago in Paris...
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kemathenga
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Isn't that like counting a lifetime from the day of conception? You're right, it could be argued.
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l'ivrogne transfigur�
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If we're using these analogies, I would probably say that it was conceived when Boublil and Schoenberg first started working on the score, it was born prematurely in Paris in 81, and remained in an incubator or some such until it was completely healthy and 'ready to go' in London in 85. (This sounds like I'm really putting down the Paris production and the OFC, which I'm not, but that is the kind of process it went through under the hands of Cammack).
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Eppie-Sue
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I think there is not much to discuss here, is there? The London production of Les Mis�rables is in its 25th year, has just had its 10,000th performance, all of which is very impressive. I'm glad it's going so well. I just wish it would all be a bit more about this production, seeing as these milestones are about it and not about some tour that is named "25th Anniversary Tour" but takes an orchestration that has been working perfectly for 25 years on the West End, that I'm sure no one complained about (about the size of the orchestra, yes, but not about the arrangement) and that is one of the most iconic in musical theatre and changes that just for the sake of changing it. To take bits about the original production and alter them is the "different for the sake of being different" idea, but they still claim it's "Les Mis�rables". It's neither one nor the other.
If they really want to celebrate the, well, legendary 25 years, 10000 performances, then they should give the West End all the credit. The tour is nice, but it has nothing to do with the 25 years Les Mis has been running, with the history of the show and with the concept that they were originally going for.
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realitybites
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Eppie-sue: that's exactly what I feel about this whole thing. It's interesting to look at a production in another way and great that so many more people will get to see and hear this lovely show but it is the original production which has done the time and proved itself. That is, the whole production and all aspects of staging and music. To allow the tour to claim this accolade when it is so different would be like the producers claiming that Oliver was 30 years old because it has been performed over the last 30 years in one form or another. ( before anyone corrects me I use 30 years as an example).
I can only hope this rumour of the tour going to the Barbican is just that. I would hope the producers would not do this to the original that has served them so well.
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Quique
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What really disturbs me is how eagerly the public laps up anything "new" that's thrown at them. And suddenly, it's noteworthy. Do we really have to slap the "New" label on something in order for people to take notice?
Crying about not sending out yet another replica production, while understandable, is nothing short of a tantrum at this point. It's been 25 years--a quarter century--and I know we must let go. And I'll admit that much of my ranting in the last 5 years is partly an act of desperation, holding onto the original and not wanting to let go. The original will always be THE definitive Les Miserables in my eyes. I don't find it bland, old, or over-produced. It's perfect.
I know I want to celebrate the original come 8 October. While I'm sure the new tour utilized top notch designers and hired a talented director (at least I hope), I don't want to celebrate them because, unlike those involved in the original, they had zero impact on the award winning version that opened nearly 25 years ago.
I'm very curious as to what the tour's designs are like. It'd be great if anyone could share pictures from the brochure, or something. Also, if it isn't too much trouble, can someone either scan or type the orchestra listing for the tour? It's usually listed in the program near the cast bios.
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