Lazarus (Adam G)
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Does anyone else DISLIKE Michael Ball?I don't know much about the fanbase of Les Miserables, but the people I have met on other boards love Michael Ball's Marius.
I, for one, think he's one of the worst actors ever to play Marius. I can't stand how he smilies in almost every song, even when it's a depressing one. When he's supposed to be frantic, he grins. (In the 10th Anniversery Concert, look at him sing "Somebody's here!" He grins. He's supposed to be hiding, not grinning like an idiot. He even grins during Eponine's death.
His voice is decent, but still it's not the best I've heard.
Anyone agree?
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The Very Angry Woman
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Re: Does anyone else DISLIKE Michael Ball? | Lazarus (Adam G) wrote: | | He even grins during Eponine's death. |
I'm not a Ball fan anymore, but I didn't (and still don't) think his smile during ALFOR was at all inappropriate.
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olly
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Michael Ball is a brilliant actor who has a fantastic voice. His portrayal of Marius is brilliant and I think his grins are not at all inappropiate - they're comforting to himself. And please don't judge him on the Tenth Anniversary Concert: that was not a production; that was a concert. I really hate when I hear people say he doesn't have a good voice (not saying you are) because no one can deny he has a fantastically strong voice. And I believe people who do say this are jealous, or musical snobs (i.e. they dislike seeing people better than themselves). I also believe this when I hear people insult Lloyd Webbers work - fine, say you don't like his music; but to argue that he is not a very good musician! What a load of crap! He wrote Joseph when he was still at school for a GCSE piece! So, hate when people say that Lloyd Webber's not a great musician or when Michael Ball isn't either.
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Timmy_Wishes he was Quast
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I USED to hate Ball...but admitided defeat recently when i realised he possibly IS the definitive Marius. I find his acting a little stale at points and yes agreed sometimes he does do things inapproprialtly. I think what swayed it for me was seeing him live. And recordings do no credit. He was in chitty chitty bang bang when i went to see it. He was fantastic. the 10th Anniversary Concert sees some of that. BUT my advice is see the guy live before you slate him openly.
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Orestes Fasting
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I think he's good, but overrated.
Come on, folks, there are other valid interpretations of Marius out there. [Ditto that for Colm Wilkinson's Valjean, Philip Quast's Javert, the entire Frances/Lea/Kaho debate, etc.]
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Lazarus (Adam G)
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I really liked Quast and Wilkinson actually (not just judging from the concert).
Ball just never moved me. (Although I DID like Empty Chairs, Empty Tables.)
I didn't say he didn't have a good voice, I just said I didn't like him as a performer.
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Bex
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Ball has a great singing voice without a doubt. If your mainly judging him from the TAC then you might wanna look at some other stuff he has done! try 'he Mr Producer' he give a really good performance in that, not only as Marius but also in many other roles which shows that he is a good all round performer...but yes...his smiling in AFOR i find annoying too...a smile would be ok, but its the grin and the small fast head shaking...it just makes me laugh...
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Moci
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I don't mind him as Marius(although he's really cheesy in the TAC and he annoys me as himself), but I think it's a shame he's on 3 out of 5 English language recordings, especially because David Bryant is awful and the Manchester highlights is only 'ECAET'.
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olly
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| Lazarus (Adam G) wrote: | | I didn't say he didn't have a good voice, I just said I didn't like him as a performer. |
| olly wrote: | | I really hate when I hear people say he doesn't have a good voice (not saying you are) |
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Fantine
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I love him. I like his "full" voice and warm timbre. I think the current Marii all lack that warmness in their voices. They're too sharp for my liking.
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DaddyDiesel
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Alough Ihave never seen him as Marious, I did quite enjoy him as Raoul in POTO. I think he plays a great gooey love guy and I give him alot of credit for that. Mainly because i think that is hard role to do well. So many actors come off kind of blanc when they play the love guy. Of course im more of a charator actor my self so the goey love guy has never fit me real well.
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DaddyDiesel
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| Fantine wrote: | | I love him. I like his "full" voice and warm timbre. I think the current Marii all lack that warmness in their voices. They're too sharp for my liking. |
I totally agree I always thought a warm baritone timbre sounds so much better for a Marious then a tenor timbre. I think if they brought some of the highers notes down a nouch marious would be alot cooler in my eyes.
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smokeyspotlight
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I would be dissapointed if he were to come back and play marius for the 21st anniversary concert. He is pure cheese- which for the role of a young guy in love makes sence, but when the young guy in love is a 40st 40 year old, well, it makes me feel a little sick.
But yes I do think his voice is the original, and the best. Too many try to recreate his sound as marius and fail.
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Colle
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Vocally, I think Micheal is one of the best as Marius. I agree his facial expressions are goofy. Also, I think he does sound better on the CSR than the TAC; age was not good to him in this role.
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Fantine
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| DaddyDiesel wrote: | | Fantine wrote: | | I love him. I like his "full" voice and warm timbre. I think the current Marii all lack that warmness in their voices. They're too sharp for my liking. |
I totally agree I always thought a warm baritone timbre sounds so much better for a Marious then a tenor timbre. I think if they brought some of the highers notes down a nouch marious would be alot cooler in my eyes. |
One thing though... it's Marius.
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DaddyDiesel
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| Fantine wrote: | | DaddyDiesel wrote: | | Fantine wrote: | | I love him. I like his "full" voice and warm timbre. I think the current Marii all lack that warmness in their voices. They're too sharp for my liking. |
I totally agree I always thought a warm baritone timbre sounds so much better for a Marious then a tenor timbre. I think if they brought some of the highers notes down a nouch marious would be alot cooler in my eyes. |
One thing though... it's Marius. |
Yeah, sorry I know its just I think im the worst typer alive.
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Fantine
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Well... You only typed it wrong... three times then.
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Gavroche Girly
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I agree-Michael Ball is slightly overated.
He has incredible talent, and is perfect for the role of Marius.
I just don't understand why people compare him to others as such a God!
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shortmilo
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I reckon he's ok, great voice and his empty chairs and empty tables is very good, and why are we saying we like Phillip Quast? Who doesnt?!
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LesMisForever
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Hello
I like him a lot. I have never seen him live, but i love his voice. I like listening to him not only as Marius , because i think he is a good singer.
I didn't like very much the show of over enthusiasm in TAC, but that is really a matter of no consequence.
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