MrMarius
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Les Miserables 21st Cast!!!I went to see the show on Monday 26th and on Wednesday evening too. I must say, I was blown away by the energy and passion of this new cast.
The audience were on the edge of their seats the whole night, trying to get that inch or two closer to the action!
Where do I start?
Well, for a start, as I am sure you have all heard JOJ was off, and will remain off for the remainder of the week suffering from fatigue, so Phil Cavil stepped in and took on the role of JVJ (much to the relief of the 1st cover probably!). Phil was amazing, and I don't think anyone minded JOJ not being in, although there was a moan when the announcer said that he would be off just before the show started.
Hans Peter Jansens, was something else! I found his performance utterly entrancing! Its hard to picture him playing JVJ after seeing such a strong, hardened performance.
Some have the opinion that his voice was too operatic, and that he sung more than he acted the role, but I feel he really did the part justice.
Jon Lee was ok, I have to say I have never been too fond of his portrayal of Marius, but we all have our own idea of how we like that character to be played don't we, and I prefer a more macho marius in contrast to Jon Lee s more youthful version, however he won over the audience with his very moving performance during ECAET.
Sophia Ragavelas had a very good start with Fantine. She played the innocent young and alone charcter very well and her voice left me in shivers. She performs with such emotion and has claimed that part entirely.
Sabrina Aloueche was my suprise of the night. Her performance left me dazed. Her voice was quite simply incredible. Her portrayal of Eponine was unlike any I have seen before. She was more childlike and bratty, and this made her secret cries to the audience about her feelings for Marius ("little he knows, little he sees...") so much more touching.
Her OMO was sung with so much depth and feeling that audience members were almost on there feet with their applause and ALFOR was heart wrenching. An amazing performance by a very talented young lady.
Gina Beck, also shined in her role. Her voice was effortlessly clear and sweet and she had this wide eyed innocence that captured the audiences hearts. She also performed very well with Jon Lee.
A very endearing performance.
Simon Bailey, was fantastic as Enjolras, and although vocally I felt he was quite weak in places (lets not forget he was rehearsing 10 hours a day for Les Mis and then did 4 hours every evening with WWRY for almost 2 months) he made up for it in passion and confidence. He was almost arrogant within his character which I think worked very well.
A group of young talented professionals with ambition and passion, our show is safe i their hands methinks! 
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Fantine
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Re: Les Miserables 21st Cast!!! | MrMarius wrote: | | She was more childlike |
Oh God, this makes me think of Diana Kaarina. I certainly hope that this isn't the case!
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MrMarius
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Diana Kaarina is a completely different person. There are many different ways an actor can accomplish certain qualities within their character and Diana Kaarina chose one quality and emphasised that continuously, Sabrina Aloueche has chosen many different qualities (childlike and naive to juxtapose with hardened and worldly). It is always a bad idea to start comparisons before actually seeing the performance Fantine. 
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flying_pigs
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Has the new souvenir brochure been done yet, with new pictures?
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The Very Angry Woman
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Re: Les Miserables 21st Cast!!! | Fantine wrote: | | MrMarius wrote: | | She was more childlike |
Oh God, this makes me think of Diana Kaarina. I certainly hope that this isn't the case! |
Diana's Eponine wasn't childlike. She was juvenile and immature. There's a difference.
(Someone already beat me to the whole assumptions thing.)
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Ian UK
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Re: Les Miserables 21st Cast!!! | MrMarius wrote: | I went to see the show on Monday 26th and on Wednesday evening too. I must say, I was blown away by the energy and passion of this new cast.
The audience were on the edge of their seats the whole night, trying to get that inch or two closer to the action! |
Agreed! I was there on Monday and there was such a great energy about this cast. I didn't find myself so much trying to get that inch or two closer to the action, more that the action was actually pulling me towards it!
Sabrina Aloueche, on that form, looks like she's got a huge future ahead of her. I loved her ALFOR. For me it had just the right amount of understatement as opposed to the writhing of the role's previous incumbent.
Sophia Ragavelas had a solid start as Fantine, although I did think her vocal got slightly lost in the sound mix during IDAD, something which I got the impression happened to others a few times during the evening.
I think this cast has the potential to be something really special 
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