1,037 posts
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Post by jgblunners on Feb 16, 2023 18:03:58 GMT
I just hope she doesn’t riff like she did in the concert version…
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4,496 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 16, 2023 18:19:05 GMT
25 minutes and then a bit of time on the barricade (or do a LuPone and sit in the dressing room/go to the pub for drink and come on for the last 5)
If her attendance isn't better...crikey
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Post by A.Ham on Feb 16, 2023 18:58:46 GMT
I enjoyed Lucie’s performance in the staged concert version of this so will be good to see her perform the role ‘fully’ so to speak. And yep, both Valjean and Javert look hot!
I’m going next week to catch Will Barrett as Valjean but will be booking again for this new cast. Especially excited to see Claire Machin as Madame T - loved her in Memphis and Mary Poppins and reckon she’ll do a great job in this.
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Post by jaybird89 on Feb 16, 2023 19:01:19 GMT
I just hope she doesn’t riff like she did in the concert version… I heard her say on a podcast they asked her to sing the songs more pop sounding and with the riffs so I guess it depends what they want from her? I have really enjoyed her in Wicked but have been a bit surprised by her attendance but it is a much heavier sing and talk as well but I'm looking forward to seeing her in this as much as I don't care much for the new production.
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Post by A.Ham on Feb 16, 2023 19:30:55 GMT
Just booked front row for my birthday in May - it’d be rude not to, right?!
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642 posts
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Post by greeny11 on Feb 16, 2023 20:29:48 GMT
This is a cast I am excited to see, having not seen the show since last year. I'm not a fan of Jon Robyns as Valjean, so always tried to get a Luke McCall Valjean show whenever I saw it (a Luke McCall/Bradley Jaden combo rivals the new JVJ/Javert pair for good looks), but am excited for Josh and Stewart in this, for the voices as much as the looks! Josh was a great Phantom before his run got cut short by lockdown. Also pleased to see Claire Machin who is great in everything she does, hopefully a step up from Josefina (who was OK at best).
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5,299 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 16, 2023 20:46:31 GMT
Any thoughts on Lucie Jones returning? Hopefully she will appear more regularly? Was she never on as Elphaba then?
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Feb 17, 2023 0:35:45 GMT
A bit unhappy that the principal cast will now only have 1 poc because they've replaced the 2 leaving poc cast members with white performers.
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Post by sukhavati on Feb 17, 2023 8:12:12 GMT
Am I the only person who thinks that Josh is not going to look believable as JVJ? From the stalls, that is not going to look like the face of someone who spent the last 19 years in hard labour. Was he thrown in gael at the age of 8 for stealing "a mouthful of bread?" Granted the makeup and wigs will help as the show moves along, but he's got a baby face...I didn't buy him as the Phantom either.
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120 posts
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Post by candela on Feb 17, 2023 9:26:22 GMT
Any thoughts on Lucie Jones returning? Hopefully she will appear more regularly? Was she never on as Elphaba then? No most of the time it was standby or 1st cover. Bit gutted on Lucie being Fantine. I was really hoping for Lauren Drew
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874 posts
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Post by daisy24601 on Feb 17, 2023 11:33:10 GMT
I just hope she doesn’t riff like she did in the concert version… I heard her say on a podcast they asked her to sing the songs more pop sounding and with the riffs so I guess it depends what they want from her? I have really enjoyed her in Wicked but have been a bit surprised by her attendance but it is a much heavier sing and talk as well but I'm looking forward to seeing her in this as much as I don't care much for the new production. That's disappointing, Les Mis does not need riffs. Get ready to hear the words "optional up" again and again.
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Post by A.Ham on Feb 17, 2023 13:48:27 GMT
Just seen the videos the official Les Mis Facebook page has posted - definitely excited to see the new Valjean and Javert! 😍
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Feb 17, 2023 14:33:23 GMT
Get ready to hear the words "optional up" again and again. I really hope she does do the option up on I Dreamed A Dream. It places the emphasis on the right word and for just 1 note, it makes the song a bit more exciting, having heard that song so many times done the same way.
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1,432 posts
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Post by showtoones on Feb 17, 2023 18:05:36 GMT
Does anyone know how long the new cast in contracted for?
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Post by A.Ham on Feb 17, 2023 20:55:19 GMT
Does anyone know how long the new cast in contracted for? It’ll likely either be six or twelve months - it’s got a bit confused as the last main cast change was end of Sept, and I assumed David Thaxton, Ava Brennan and the others who joined then would be with the show until Sept ‘23, but it seems they’re only doing six months. So I’d assume the new guys will be in it until at least end of Sept, possibly end of March 2024. And of course they may choose/be asked to stay for a second year.
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Post by dan28 on Feb 18, 2023 11:32:02 GMT
A bit unhappy that the principal cast will now only have 1 poc because they've replaced the 2 leaving poc cast members with white performers. What if they were the best at the auditions? Can't you just be happy with the best talent for a role?
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Post by digne on Feb 18, 2023 14:06:53 GMT
Well, if that were the case, this thread wouldn't be full of years of complaining that they only cast cheap fresh graduates right out of school instead of looking for the best talent.
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Post by dan28 on Feb 19, 2023 13:54:57 GMT
"Cheap and not suitable" is less bad than "not cheap and not suitable".
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Post by A.Ham on Mar 10, 2023 16:18:10 GMT
Now booking through to beginning of March 2024 via Delfont Mackintosh (other outlets too I expect!)
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Post by A.Ham on Mar 27, 2023 17:39:42 GMT
Off to see the ‘new cast’ tonight - first night for the new Javert, Mdme Thénardier and Enjorlas, plus Lucie Jones’ return as Fantine. Josh should’ve been making his Valjean debut too but that’s been delayed due to injury. Hoping Will Barratt will be on as Valjean instead as I think Mondays are one of Dean’s nights off.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Mar 28, 2023 8:44:17 GMT
Off to see the ‘new cast’ tonight How was Stewart Clarke as Javert? Very curious about his casting!
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Post by A.Ham on Mar 28, 2023 10:14:55 GMT
Off to see the ‘new cast’ tonight How was Stewart Clarke as Javert? Very curious about his casting! In a word - fantastic! I did feel he looked too young in Javert’s early scenes, and the line referencing his 20 years’ experience jarred, but as they aged him through the show he fitted better. Because he’s tall he made a commanding presence, and his voice was very deep and full, which made his performance for me. Given how nervous he must’ve been I thought Stars was faultless.
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Post by digne on Mar 28, 2023 10:47:19 GMT
I was quite distracted during the first act by how young and physically slight he seemed next to Dean's Valjean. The coat looked as if it was about to swallow him. During the second act, I felt like he came more into his own - his Suicide was very strong. It'll be interesting to see how he does in a couple weeks when he's grown into the role.
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Post by A.Ham on Mar 28, 2023 11:30:14 GMT
I was quite distracted during the first act by how young and physically slight he seemed next to Dean's Valjean. The coat looked as if it was about to swallow him. During the second act, I felt like he came more into his own - his Suicide was very strong. It'll be interesting to see how he does in a couple weeks when he's grown into the role. Yes, agreed, especially about the coat! It did look rather big on him. By the second half, you certainly couldn’t tell it was his first ‘live’ performance of Javert’s suicide, it’s always a tough scene given the technicalities but he did a great job.
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Post by misto on Mar 29, 2023 12:25:45 GMT
I caught Nathania Ong's performance on Big Night of Musicals after seeing people rave about it. I was really impressed with her voice, definitely one of the best Eponines I've seen in that regard. Her acting was also great, if a little intense- but I guess intensity is what's needed at that point in the show, it's just more than I'm used to seeing from Eponines. I'm interested to know if she always performs it like that or if her emotions were just heightened by the occasion. The only thing I didn't like was the dramatic run forward at 'I love him, but every day...'. I really hate when Eponines do that, it always seems so melodramatic. I know her vocal choices are controversial but I liked how much more reserved Shan Ako was when she played Eponine, to me it made her emotions seem so much deeper (although I only saw her in the concert so not sure if she acted it differently in the full show). But I would like to see Nathania when I go in July, I'd love to hear her singing live
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Post by digne on Apr 15, 2023 22:50:36 GMT
According to Josh Piterman's Insta story, it was Dean's final show tonight. I assume that means Monday is Josh's first night then.
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Post by 141920grm on Apr 16, 2023 0:14:47 GMT
According to Josh Piterman's Insta story, it was Dean's final show tonight. I assume that means Monday is Josh's first night then. unsure about that- there seems to be at least a week's bridge (from next Mon) with Will Barratt having announced he's scheduled to do principal days- of course, things might have changed since!
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Post by digne on Apr 16, 2023 17:14:35 GMT
Oh, fingers crossed for that, since I'd already had a different show booked for Monday but would love to see his first show.
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4,496 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Apr 16, 2023 17:36:53 GMT
Pretty sure the alternate is having a week and then Josh is due to arrive properly end of the month
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Post by A.Ham on Apr 18, 2023 18:00:27 GMT
The Les Mis Facebook page (and presumably their other socials) has just posted to confirm Josh is Valjean from 24th April (next Monday).
Hoping he’ll be on when I go mid-May so fingers are firmly crossed :-)
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