Jordan
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Les Mis 22nd february 2006On a whim, Marc and I went to see this tonight. Marc had never seen it before and thoroughly enjoyed it, the Thenardiers were his favourites in the show, particularly MOTH.
However, in a bar afterwards, whilst he was enthusing over it, he asked me the crunch question; "How did it compare to when you've seen it before?" My immediate response was "Oh. Um... I wish you hadn't asked me that question!"
With the exception of John Owen-Jones, who was great (not as good as Sean kingsley), the cast were frankly a bunch of muppets. Apologies for the fact I don't know the actors names, Marc has the programme...
Javert, an impressive black guy who played the entire character through his left hand. I kid you not. At every scene, his left hand did all the acting whilst he did the singing. His singing was good, don't get me wrong, but I'd have liked to see his body act, not just his spasmodic left hand curling and uncurling, fingers rippling, clenching and unclenching. The suicide was just unfortunate.
Cosette played out ALFOR with a big grin across her face as though she were singing "The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow" and totally ruined the scene.
I think there are orchestration problems with the entire show; I'm blaming the music box thingy for not allowing sufficient measure on some numbers, such as the BHH resprise which sounded godawful tonight and was so fast that Valjean and Javert had no time to complete their actions.
Fantine was brilliant, what a lovely clear as a bell voice, really worked well.
The Thenardiers were mostly inaudible. I KNOW the lyrics, but had trouble at times keeping up with what they were supposed to be saying. Barry thingumywhatsit also has his own phrasing of the lyrics which meant he did mumble a lot, spoke a lot to himself etc. The part is a huge part and should have been played with gusto.
Marius. What a sap. I didn't care when he sang ECAET. I bloody well should have cared.
I failed to get pulled into the emotional draw at the end due to the deficiencies of the cast.
The direction was terrible and weak, this cast needs to shape up or ship out!
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Ulla Dance Again!
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Holy crap, you sound like me if I see a show that's kinda lackluster.
But it's always great showing someone else a show they've never seen before... like my dad isn't one for theatre but he saw The Music Man and he loved it.
I love the Thenardiers... they're my favorite characters... it's too bad that the actors playing them didn't really do that good of a job. I saw a student production of Les Mis once, and the boy and girl playing the Thenardiers were terrific. They had the characters down to a tee... and even though they're terrible people, these kids made you love them.
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Jordan
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Another minor point. If you're going to glue sideburns onto a black guys face, it's probably better if the hair isn't on a white backing. 
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Kragey
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Re: Les Mis 22nd february 2006 | GayBoy wrote: |
Cosette played out ALFOR with a big grin across her face as though she were singing "The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow" and totally ruined the scene.
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...Cosette?
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Jordan
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Re: Les Mis 22nd february 2006 | Kragey wrote: | | GayBoy wrote: |
Cosette played out ALFOR with a big grin across her face as though she were singing "The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow" and totally ruined the scene.
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...Cosette? |
D'OH! I was tired last night when I posted it at 0200. Eponine of course  
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flying_pigs
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Re: Les Mis 22nd february 2006 | GayBoy wrote: |
Javert, an impressive black guy who played the entire character through his left hand. I kid you not. At every scene, his left hand did all the acting whilst he did the singing. His singing was good, don't get me wrong, but I'd have liked to see his body act, not just his spasmodic left hand curling and uncurling, fingers rippling, clenching and unclenching. The suicide was just unfortunate.
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I know what you mean! His (Cornel John) hands are HUGE! When he was sitting on the barricade after failing to get into the sewers he just sat there with the hand clenching and unclenching and twisting. Slight mesmorizing (sp?)
I don't think this cast are too bad, bearing in mind I've only seen it twice. However (exception of JOJ, Julia Moller and Hayden Tee) I prefer the previous cast.
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olly
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When does the cast change?
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flying_pigs
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Something like June 24th.
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Fantine
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Re: Les Mis 22nd february 2006 | flying_pigs wrote: | | However (exception of JOJ, Julia Moller and Hayden Tee) I prefer the previous cast. |
I agree... And maybe keep Shonagh in it too.
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Kragey
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Re: Les Mis 22nd february 2006 | Fantine wrote: | | flying_pigs wrote: | | However (exception of JOJ, Julia Moller and Hayden Tee) I prefer the previous cast. |
I agree... And maybe keep Shonagh in it too. |
Screw Shonagh! I want Sutton Foster back.
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Fantine
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Re: Les Mis 22nd february 2006 | Kragey wrote: | | Fantine wrote: | | flying_pigs wrote: | | However (exception of JOJ, Julia Moller and Hayden Tee) I prefer the previous cast. |
I agree... And maybe keep Shonagh in it too. |
Screw Shonagh! I want Sutton Foster back. |
But Sutton wasn't in the London cast, was she?
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Kragey
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Re: Les Mis 22nd february 2006 | Fantine wrote: | | Kragey wrote: | | Fantine wrote: | | flying_pigs wrote: | | However (exception of JOJ, Julia Moller and Hayden Tee) I prefer the previous cast. |
I agree... And maybe keep Shonagh in it too. |
Screw Shonagh! I want Sutton Foster back. |
But Sutton wasn't in the London cast, was she? |
I meant back as Eponine in general.
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Meliara
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This sounds an awful lot like the tour cast in the US. I keep hearing that it's the same group of people who have been doing it over and over and everyone just doesn't feel it anymore. I wouldn't either if I had been in Les Miz 5 years straight like some of the cast.
It's kind of sad that it is getting sloppier. 
I'm really hoping for people who have never been in the show before to be in the Broadway production this fall.
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The Very Angry Woman
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| Meliara wrote: | | This sounds an awful lot like the tour cast in the US. I keep hearing that it's the same group of people who have been doing it over and over and everyone just doesn't feel it anymore. |
Nope, not really. There are alumni, but it's not made up mostly of people who've been in the show for a really long time. In fact, there are more new people in the show now at any given time since their hiatus system started than in years previous.
Of the current cast...
Randal Keith (seven years; started ensemble; promoted spring 2001)
Robert Hunt (seven years; started ensemble; has been swing both B'way and tour; promoted fall 2004)
Joan Almedilla (returned last summer; played the role 1999 - 2000; short time in 2001)
Jennifer Butt (OBC member; joined tour fall 2004)
Fabio Polanco (totally new to Les Miz)
Melissa Lyons (three years; started ensemble; returned as Eponine fall 2004)
Adam Jacobs (totally new to Les Miz)
Leslie Henstock (three years; started ensemble; promoted fall 2004)
Victor Wallace (totally new to Les Miz, as was his predecessor)
In the ensemble, Jason Kraack, Charles Hagerty, Ryan Williams, Kevin David Thomas, Eric Briarley, Pierce Peter Brandt, Gabriel Kalomas, Sierra Boggess, Ali Ewoldt, Carrie Johnson, Candice Nicole, and Michelle Mallardi had never been in Les Miz prior to their current involvement.
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Superstar83
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I keep seeing a lot of people saying they are really disappointed by the current London cast, although Shonagh gets a lot of praise for her Eponine. I heard a sound clip of her OMO, though, and she shouts far too much near the end for my liking. I was going to see LM a few weeks ago but I was too broke in the end. Maybe I won't bother at all, I hate it when I get disappointed with a cast after paying all that money and making a two hour journey.
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javertsw
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There are a few people I liked in the current cast, but most of them just didn't stand out to me.
I prefer all of the previous cast to this one, except for Cornell John- who is much more interesting to watch than Michael McCarthy.
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Jordan
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| Superstar83 wrote: | | Maybe I won't bother at all, I hate it when I get disappointed with a cast after paying all that money and making a two hour journey. |
Yes, �95.00 for Marc and I. I guess it's ok if you didn't have anything to compare it to which is probably why Marc enjoyed it so much.
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Aimee
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Yep there's not much better than a night out at Les Mis, other than a better performance of Les Mis. 
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DarthRevan00m9
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And a night of Les Mis and popcorn.
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Meliara
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VAW, my bad. 
But still, I haven't been hearing great things about the current LM casts. Which is still sad.
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olly
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| Superstar83 wrote: | | I keep seeing a lot of people saying they are really disappointed by the current London cast, although Shonagh gets a lot of praise for her Eponine. I heard a sound clip of her OMO, though, and she shouts far too much near the end for my liking. I was going to see LM a few weeks ago but I was too broke in the end. Maybe I won't bother at all, I hate it when I get disappointed with a cast after paying all that money and making a two hour journey. |
I like the cast. It's not the elite, but I must have seen it on a good night, because the descriptions that GayBoy posted don't add up to my experiences mostly. So, I'd go - It's SUCH good fun!
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RyanJ
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It's been too long since I've seen Les Mis done right, at least with good music.
Perhaps when it comes to NYC I can see it. It's only there for 6 months, with my luck it would be all sold out.
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The Very Angry Woman
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| Meliara wrote: | VAW, my bad.
But still, I haven't been hearing great things about the current LM casts. Which is still sad. |
For what it's worth (and I haven't seen the tour in about 7 months, so who knows what's changed), the cast this summer was honestly the best, most cohesive and enjoyable to watch cast of Les Miz I'd ever seen.
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Kragey
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| DarthRevan00m9 wrote: | | And a night of Les Mis and popcorn. |
Popcorn makes everything amazing. If I'd had that when I was watching the crap that is Diana Kaarina, I probably would've enjoyed her performance a good deal more.
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The Very Angry Woman
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| Kragey wrote: | | DarthRevan00m9 wrote: | | And a night of Les Mis and popcorn. |
Popcorn makes everything amazing. If I'd had that when I was watching the crap that is Diana Kaarina, I probably would've enjoyed her performance a good deal more. |
The last time I saw Diana Kaarina as Eponine was at the Aladdin Theatre in Las Vegas. They allowed drinks. I really should've bought one. A really strong one.
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DarthRevan00m9
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Lol ya strong drinks are usually good for terrible performances. I just saw the worst Les Mis movie of all time. Uhhgg *Grabs head in pain*
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Kragey
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| The Very Angry Woman wrote: | | Kragey wrote: | | DarthRevan00m9 wrote: | | And a night of Les Mis and popcorn. |
Popcorn makes everything amazing. If I'd had that when I was watching the crap that is Diana Kaarina, I probably would've enjoyed her performance a good deal more. |
The last time I saw Diana Kaarina as Eponine was at the Aladdin Theatre in Las Vegas. They allowed drinks. I really should've bought one. A really strong one. |
You couldn't have bought them during the show? Because really, as soon as that woman started her shrieking in "The Robbery", I would've killed for a martini.
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LesMisForever
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Hello
OUCH GayBoy!
You slaughtered the poor fellows .
I said repeatedly that this cast is not that good, apart from JOJ, who i thought was incredible. I saw this cast in early July last year, but i wasn't impressed and didn't go back. However, i might give them another chance. JOJ is really good.
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Jordan
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| LesMisForever wrote: | ...OUCH GayBoy!
You slaughtered the poor fellows... |
My unfaltering honesty is sometimes a burden
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The Very Angry Woman
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| GayBoy wrote: | | LesMisForever wrote: | ...OUCH GayBoy!
You slaughtered the poor fellows... |
My unfaltering honesty is sometimes a burden |
Not to me!
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Jordan
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| The Very Angry Woman wrote: | | GayBoy wrote: | | LesMisForever wrote: | ...OUCH GayBoy!
You slaughtered the poor fellows... |
My unfaltering honesty is sometimes a burden |
Not to me! |
It is when you occasionally tell people to their faces that they suck (not quite in those words, but you get my meaning).
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DarthRevan00m9
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Also some people will occasionally punch you in the face if they can. That's why I try to say it in more subtle terms
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Timmy_Wishes he was Quast
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i am filled with re-newed vigour to see Les Mis this year...and take my note book along and make notes on how they should improve their characters!!! Obviously not only will this improve the show but it will also help the actors to become more well rouned individuals!!
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Aimee
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We should send GB's review to the director.
Ner! 
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The Very Angry Woman
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| Timmy_Wishes he was Quast wrote: | | i am filled with re-newed vigour to see Les Mis this year...and take my note book along and make notes on how they should improve their characters!!! Obviously not only will this improve the show but it will also help the actors to become more well rouned individuals!! |
I'm sure you know what's best for them. Be sure to give them typed, double-spaced essays so they may best incorporate your suggestions into their performances and lives.
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Aimee
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Now, now TVAW, that's enough please. 
I for one am pleased to see a new Mizzie here and don't care how much punctuation he uses!!!!
Thanks, Aimee.
xx
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Sairin
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| Meliara wrote: | | This sounds an awful lot like the tour cast in the US. I keep hearing that it's the same group of people who have been doing it over and over and everyone just doesn't feel it anymore. I wouldn't either if I had been in Les Miz 5 years straight like some of the cast. |
With the exception of Julia M�ller and I think two swings, the rest of the cast were new for 2004/5. JOJ has been in it a few times but he's the only returning cast member.
I think it's a pity that GayBoy didn't get on with this cast, but a lot of people love them including myself.
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Timmy_Wishes he was Quast
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Not me...was bitterly disappointed!
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Superstar83
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GayBoy - after seeing it for myself I agree with you about Cornell John. He seemed like he didn't know how to play Jarvet at all, like he was scared to act. It was a real shame because his singing was fine.
I liked everyone else though. Wish I could've seen Hayden Tee, but he wasn't in it that day...John Addison was a fab understudy though, IMHO.
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The Very Angry Woman
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| Superstar83 wrote: | | He seemed like he didn't know how to play Jarvet at all |
I don't think he was playing Jarvet...
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Sairin
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I should possibly add that I did not love Cornell John, Shonagh Daly or Shaun Escoffery AT ALL. And Wendy Somerville scares me.
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Aimee
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| The Very Angry Woman wrote: | | Superstar83 wrote: | | He seemed like he didn't know how to play Jarvet at all |
I don't think he was playing Jarvet... |
Or... maybe he was and that was the problem: Jarvet is a weaker, less forceful and slightly camp version of Javert. 
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Kragey
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| Sairin wrote: | | I should possibly add that I did not love Cornell John, Shonagh Daly or Shaun Escoffery AT ALL. And Wendy Somerville scares me. |
The only person I disagree with is Escoffery, who I really do like. I'm pretty picky with my Eponines and Valjeans...so any time I hear someone say they love Shonagh or Diana Kaarina, I have to restrain myself.
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Angel-of-Music
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| Sairin wrote: | | Meliara wrote: | | This sounds an awful lot like the tour cast in the US. I keep hearing that it's the same group of people who have been doing it over and over and everyone just doesn't feel it anymore. I wouldn't either if I had been in Les Miz 5 years straight like some of the cast. |
With the exception of Julia M�ller and I think two swings, the rest of the cast were new for 2004/5. JOJ has been in it a few times but he's the only returning cast member. |
Barry James. 
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Sairin
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The only other returning cast member. I dislike the CSR, so I refuse to believe in it.
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