flying_pigs
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Review of Les Mis SE 13/7Went to see it at Epsom Playhouse. Was really looking forward to see their interpretation of it. The first thing I saw when I entered the theatre were the pictures which looked good. The barricade looked really impressive!
As soon as the overture started I knew if all else failed, the orchestra would be amazing and the MD would be fun to watch bopping around!
Prolouge- Encorparated girls into the scene which was interesting. Valjean's big, hairy wig fell off. Was in hysterics for a bit. Valjean was good. Javert had a good voice but a bit wooden in the acting department.
On Parole- Good. The scene like west end, minus turntable.
Bishop- Haha noticed that the guy playing Valjean was TINY! Bishop was meh. Not very memorable. Nuns were dressed in black instead of white. 'Took my flightttttttttttt' was really good for that little guy!
What Have I Done- Was good.
At The End Of The Day- Foreman was boring. Loved how the factory girl shouted 'BITCH!' and then jumped on Fantine!
IDAD- Fantine was incredible. Lovely voice and v. pretty!
Lovely Ladies- Good acting.
Fantine's Arrest- Bamatabois was so boring. Why do the guys just sing their line how they are written. Instead of putting some emotion in! Javert's singing was good.
Runaway cart- Meh
Who Am I- Was good. Not the best on 24601111111111! But was still good. The judge was annoying though. He just made a really OTT point at Valjean.
Come To Me- Very good and very sad. The Fantine was v. good.
Confrontation (or what was there of it)- Good. Like the smash of the chair. Tension wasn't high enough though.
Castle On A Cloud- Boring. Madame T was boring too.
Master of the House- Highlight of the show! Th�nardier was excellent! Cheesey grin, funny, good hand movements and really got stuck in!
Bargain- Good acting from the innkeepers.
Look Down- Didn't like it much. Looked impressive though when all the students stood in their suits on the bridge.
Robbery- Eponine was good! Marius was *yawn* like most Marius' are. Th�nardiers excellent.
Stars- Very good. Javert had a lovely deep voice. Didn't like his shoes though!
Gavroche was applauded after his little segment.
Eponine's Errand- Good interaction.
Red and Black- Don't think all the mics were working. Enjolras was tiny too! Students sounded great together, not so much when solo.
DYHTPS- See above. Enjolras so small they carried him round stage on someone's shoulders!
In My Life- Cosette was alright at the start but really got into it near the end! She was taller than Valjean *giggles*
AHFOL- Marius was sweet but much the same. Eponine kept touching her face in an annoying way.
Attack on Rue Plumet- Robbers were girls which I don't think worked but good all the same!
One Day More- Excellent. Did a bit of marching which is always good to see! Valjean's voice broke in near the end!
Act 2 later!
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eponine5
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Re: Review of Les Mis SE 13/7 | flying_pigs wrote: | | DYHTPS- See above. Enjolras so small they carried him round stage on someone's shoulders! |
 Are you sure he wasn't Gavroche? A very confused Gavroche... But aawwwwwww, that's so sweet. Little Enjy 
| Quote: | | Attack on Rue Plumet- Robbers were girls which I don't think worked but good all the same! |
That always seems to be the case with SEs. I guess there are way more girls willing to take part into something like that. (School Editions always attract Eppieboppers like lamps attract moths)
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Aimee
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Re: Review of Les Mis SE 13/7 | flying_pigs wrote: | | Went to see it at Epsom Playhouse. |
Oh my god I only klive a few miles from there, I'd have gone......
*reminds herself to keep checking the website where the performances are announced.*
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al1624
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Thanks for reviewing our show.
I hoped you enjoyed it and have realised the effort and dedication that goes into these amateur shows.
Although you may have overlooked this, we are glad that others who saw the show were more sympathetic to the restrictions of a youth production.
With a bit of luck you would have seen our production of west side stroy this summer, however i doubt it.
thanks again for you input
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Fantine
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It IS a sympathetic review.
You should see how SE's usually get butchered around here.
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al1624
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It is a sympathetic review?
Did you see the production?
If the purpose of this forum is to rip apart peoples efforts at entertaining and doing what they love then thats a very sad.
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Fantine
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Exactly how did flying_pigs butcher your show?
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Orestes Fasting
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| al1624 wrote: | It is a sympathetic review?
Did you see the production?
If the purpose of this forum is to rip apart peoples efforts at entertaining and doing what they love then thats a very sad. |
Uh, what?
It was a review. If all reviews contained nothing but gushing praise, they'd be useless. flying_pigs gave fairly level-headed criticism of specific things she liked and didn't like in the show, which hardly constitutes ripping it apart. I also didn't see anything to indicate that she was judging it by the standards of a professional production, or didn't understand the limitations of the SE. She was focusing on the acting and singing, not how young the performers were or how big the set budget was.
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flying_pigs
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Um...I'm very sorry if I've upset you. It really wasn't intentional. I just gave my opinions. I still thought it was a good show though. I just read my review back and it is quite blunt, but I was trying to do it quickly so as to remember everything. Sorry again 
Anyway...oh OF, I'm a she 
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Orestes Fasting
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Oops. *edits*
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al1624
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for Orestes Fasting:
My reply with regards to the 'ripping apart' was in responce to 'Fantine's' statement of "You should see how SE's usually get butchered around here." NOT with regards to review that flying_pigs wrote.
I was not upset by the review; i wrote the reply to see what the motivation behind it was and possibly get a better interpretation of the show. I have no problem with what was written, i just found the comments blunt and mildly grating but that is to be expected.
I would be interested to hear what you thought.
Tiny Valjean
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Fantine
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It's FANTINE.
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al1624
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lol changed but cummon, does it matter?
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Fantine
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I hope you have realised the effort and dedication that goes into creating these usernames.
Furthermore if you think that you pulled off Les Mis well, you should at least be able to spell the character's names.
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al1624
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i'm sure you spent many long hours coming up with such an original name.
I dont recall any part of the play in which the characters need to spell each others names?
I also dont know how well we did Les Mis, i didnt see it and i'm not one to judge my own performances; thats for critics.
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Moci
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| al1624 wrote: | I dont recall any part of the play in which the characters need to spell each others names?
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Thats because you did the Schools Edition and that scene was cut. It's unfortunate as it was a lovely piece of music, but would be far to difficult to expect high school students to perform.
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Eponine93
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Guys... come on. Is it really nessecary to post a review of an amatuer production of children on an international website that has quite a bit of ranking in the musical theatre world? I know nothing about the company, but I think if the actors aren't paid, their reviews should only be personal and by request only. Paid actors are putting all they have out there- for money. They're asking for reviews. Amatuer productions are not.
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The Very Angry Woman
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| Eponine93 wrote: | | Paid actors are putting all they have out there- for money. They're asking for reviews. Amatuer productions are not. |
New rule: Never talk about anybody unless money is involved.
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Fantine
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Posting reviews about any kind of show is fun, right? It's nice to see how people create their own interpretations and solutions to difficult scenery. What is wrong with that?
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Eponine93
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Um... I don't know... you're dissing children.
I just think it's weird to post reviews like that on a widely used musical theatre resource about teenagers. The lives of teenagers suck enough as it is. Most teenagers have a really low self image. All they need is some random stranger who they've never even met telling them that they sucked at acting or that they're really short or something else nice and complimentary...
They'res nothing wrong with posting a review, but only when it is invited or it is a convention. I leave MdN for two weeks and come back to find people butchering the dreams of children.
Also, it's a matter of security as well, I'd think. I wouldn't like unflattering stuff about my performance posted about me online if I was only in an amatuer production. If Tiny Valjean doesn't want the review posted, he has the right to ask for it to be removed. However, I suggest going through the moderators instead of simply asking it.
I understand you're upset, but being rude is not the answer. Being assertive and being rude are too entirely different manners.
Oh no, now I've probably gone and hurt your feelings.
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Fantine
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Did you even read that review?
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Timmy_Wishes he was Quast
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I did. I want to read Act 2. I think it was fine. There was nothing that could be construde as bashing or "destroying teenages self esteem" to paraphrase my honerable friend Eponine93. I've read much worse.
And when we come to having ago at people how many times have people posted links to youtube and said "OMG LAMO this is like worst version of "On My Own" i've eva saw!" Now in my opinion THAT my friends is blatent bashing. i have found in the past that reviews of these School Editions usually open up a whole world of discussion about this version of the musical we all love. So "Quit your whining!" as Patti LuPone would say and be constructive.
So post act 2 and lets get it over with.
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Fantine
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Thank you.
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al1624
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Wow this has grown into a debate, nice!
I posted a reply to this thread so I could find out what else flying_pigs thought of the production as well as letting her know that I didnt appriciate some of the comments.
I would also like to hear about act 2 but its no longer a worry to me. I'm fine with being 5 ft 8 and furthering my career studying Musical Theatre at Arts Educational London.
Tho I guess it's a compliment that someone felt they wanted to discuss our production with a forum dedicated to its name.
Tiny Valjean
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