jay
Auditioning
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Post by jay on Aug 10, 2023 21:57:55 GMT
Dull casting. Actors 'bed-blocking' parts for years... happens in other WE shows. Get some new blood in ! Loads of actors out there. Casting an actor as Thenardier, who has one acting credential to his name - understudying Marius 13 years ago - is either a sign of desperation ( no one else wants the role), or the 'casting department' at CM have finally lost the plot. Btw, the role of dance captain in this show is practically non-existant -The Wedding has some dance moves for the ensemble , but thats it.
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Post by thistimetomorrow on Aug 10, 2023 22:10:31 GMT
Excited to see Djavan as Enjolras! Will be very different from Kristoff I'm sure.
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141 posts
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Post by Alejo on Aug 10, 2023 22:20:25 GMT
Dull casting. Actors 'bed-blocking' parts for years... happens in other WE shows. Get some new blood in ! Loads of actors out there. Casting an actor as Thenardier, who has one acting credential to his name - understudying Marius 13 years ago - is either a sign of desperation ( no one else wants the role), or the 'casting department' at CM have finally lost the plot. Btw, the role of dance captain in this show is practically non-existant -The Wedding has some dance moves for the ensemble , but thats it. Sounds like you don't really know what you're talking about. On any of your points. |
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jay
Auditioning
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Post by jay on Aug 10, 2023 22:42:23 GMT
Dull casting. Actors 'bed-blocking' parts for years... happens in other WE shows. Get some new blood in ! Loads of actors out there. Casting an actor as Thenardier, who has one acting credential to his name - understudying Marius 13 years ago - is either a sign of desperation ( no one else wants the role), or the 'casting department' at CM have finally lost the plot. Btw, the role of dance captain in this show is practically non-existant -The Wedding has some dance moves for the ensemble , but thats it. Sounds like you don't really know what you're talking about. On any of your points. Quite the reverse actually. Actors have sat in parts for years in the WE . Fact. The new Thernardier's only acting role was 13 years ago: understudy Marius. Fact. The role of Dance Captain is very light- compared to musicals with a great deal of choreography. Fact. |
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Post by A.Ham on Aug 10, 2023 22:47:03 GMT
My understanding of Dance Captain in this show, in the case of Matt Dempsey in any case, also involves managing the swings’ and ensemble’s tracks in each performance to ensure the show can go on, even when numbers are depleted to illness and holidays. No small task with a cast of this scale and with the many challenges various waves of Covid have thrown in the show’s direction over the past couple of years.
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141 posts
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Post by Alejo on Aug 10, 2023 22:47:33 GMT
Sounds like you don't really know what you're talking about. On any of your points. Quite the reverse actually. Actors have sat in parts for years in the WE . Fact. The new Thernardier's only acting role was 13 years ago: understudy Marius. Fact. The role of Dance Captain is very light- compared to musicals with a great deal of choreography. Fact. What do you think the role of the dance captain is? Because from what you're saying, it's not what you think. |
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jay
Auditioning
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Post by jay on Aug 10, 2023 22:52:30 GMT
Quite the reverse actually. Actors have sat in parts for years in the WE . Fact. The new Thernardier's only acting role was 13 years ago: understudy Marius. Fact. The role of Dance Captain is very light- compared to musicals with a great deal of choreography. Fact. What do you think the role of the dance captain is? Because from what you're saying, it's not what you think. Oh dear. Having worked in several West End shows, Im very aware of what the role of a Dance Captain is. On a show like Guys & Dolls, for example, with intricate choreography in almost every number, the Dance Captain has their work cut-out. In a show with very little choreography, like Les Mis, ( apart from The Wedding), all other numbers come down to positioning on stage. Fact. Move on. |
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141 posts
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Post by Alejo on Aug 10, 2023 22:54:44 GMT
What do you think the role of the dance captain is? Because from what you're saying, it's not what you think. Oh dear. Having worked in several West End shows, Im very aware of what the role of a Dance Captain is. On a show like Guys & Dolls, for example, with intricate choreography in almost every number, the Dance Captain has their work cut-out. In a show with very little choreography, like Les Mis, ( apart from The Wedding), all other numbers come down to positioning on stage. Fact. Move on. Lol OK, we'll leave it there then. You have no idea. Fact. |
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Post by princeton on Aug 10, 2023 23:45:11 GMT
The new Thernardier's only acting role was 13 years ago: understudy Marius. Fact. So was it a different Luke Kempner who trained at Guildford School of Acting and appeared in the Barbican Centre/UK tour of Lincoln Centre's South Pacific, the original UK tour of Avenue Q, and Lift (also featuring Cynthia Erivo) at Soho Theatre - amongst other things? |
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Post by toomasj on Aug 10, 2023 23:50:17 GMT
My understanding of Dance Captain in this show, in the case of Matt Dempsey in any case, also involves managing the swings’ and ensemble’s tracks in each performance to ensure the show can go on, even when numbers are depleted to illness and holidays. No small task with a cast of this scale and with the many challenges various waves of Covid have thrown in the show’s direction over the past couple of years. You are correct. “Dance captain” as a term completely understates their role and responsibility in a production. |
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Post by cheesy116 on Aug 11, 2023 1:02:47 GMT
I saw Annabelle Aquinom (ensemble and 2nd cover Cosette for the new cast) in one of her 3rd year college shows last year and she has an exceptional voice. She's tiny in stature but has a big voice.
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Post by BVM on Aug 11, 2023 10:34:27 GMT
Dull casting. Actors 'bed-blocking' parts for years... happens in other WE shows. Get some new blood in ! Loads of actors out there. Casting an actor as Thenardier, who has one acting credential to his name - understudying Marius 13 years ago - is either a sign of desperation ( no one else wants the role), or the 'casting department' at CM have finally lost the plot. Btw, the role of dance captain in this show is practically non-existant -The Wedding has some dance moves for the ensemble , but thats it. Errrrr, ok. Really could not disagree more. What long running shows need is a balance of brand new, returning and staying casts to keep them in perfect condition. If everyone stays, there is a risk it can end up stale and phoned in. If everyone leaves then you lose the knowledge, history, care and detail that long runners can rely on. They have literally done an excellent mix of new and old. Hardly much "bed blocking" - literally only one or two who have been there for years. Josh and Stewart are currently less than 6 months in. And Luke Kempner went to stage school and did musicals long before his comedy took over. He's a fantastic choice for Thenardier. This post comes across at CM bashing for the sake of it. Whatever you may think he's doing something right. It's the longest running musical on earth and is currently doing fantastic business. This is partly down to how fresh it's kept and how high the quality of production is. Far from "losing the plot" they are running the most successful show on the planet. |
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141 posts
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Post by Alejo on Aug 11, 2023 11:21:49 GMT
Not to mention giving Adam Pearce the opportunity to return to the stage in the new cast. I know this was posted in the Performers section, but it's related to his return to Les Mis:
"After a few meetings and talks with the amazing team at Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, I have been given an incredible opportunity to return to work and from the end of September I will be going back into Les Miserables.
They approached us asking how my rehabilitation was going and if I'd be interested in an ensemble track and as the Bishop. It is an amazing opportunity but I needed to make sure I was going to be safe and ready for this as my mobility is still not 100% on my left side. Especially the organised chaos that goes on backstage with costume changes and props. But after some really thoughtful meetings with the casting team, Directors, Wardrobe and Wig departments and producers I really do feel that this is the right move.
Les Miserables have been so supportive already. After watching the show, I was able to go to them and explain any worries I could foresee and we've been able to talk through these. I am incredibly grateful that they are willing to make adaptations and adjustments to suit my current physical capabilities.
When I start Rehearsals in a few weeks I will still be continuing all the ongoing therapy I have been having so far and maybe even more. Repetition is key in Stroke recovery. It is so important to keep the basic moves and exercises going to gain strength and continue to grow.
Cameron Mackintosh should feel very proud of their inclusive environment. So far, they could not have done more to support me and make this a reality. I will be forever grateful for this first step back on stage.
See you on the Barricade.
Xx"
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Post by BVM on Aug 11, 2023 11:29:51 GMT
Not to mention giving Adam Pearce the opportunity to return to the stage in the new cast. I know this was posted in the Performers section, but it's related to his return to Les Mis: "After a few meetings and talks with the amazing team at Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, I have been given an incredible opportunity to return to work and from the end of September I will be going back into Les Miserables.
They approached us asking how my rehabilitation was going and if I'd be interested in an ensemble track and as the Bishop. It is an amazing opportunity but I needed to make sure I was going to be safe and ready for this as my mobility is still not 100% on my left side. Especially the organised chaos that goes on backstage with costume changes and props. But after some really thoughtful meetings with the casting team, Directors, Wardrobe and Wig departments and producers I really do feel that this is the right move.
Les Miserables have been so supportive already. After watching the show, I was able to go to them and explain any worries I could foresee and we've been able to talk through these. I am incredibly grateful that they are willing to make adaptations and adjustments to suit my current physical capabilities.
When I start Rehearsals in a few weeks I will still be continuing all the ongoing therapy I have been having so far and maybe even more. Repetition is key in Stroke recovery. It is so important to keep the basic moves and exercises going to gain strength and continue to grow.
Cameron Mackintosh should feel very proud of their inclusive environment. So far, they could not have done more to support me and make this a reality. I will be forever grateful for this first step back on stage.
See you on the Barricade.
Xx"I think it's wonderful. CM and ALW get so much grief in certain quarters but both them and their shows have given infinitely more into the industry than they have taken away. And really pleased for Adam. He always comes across as such a nice down to earth genuine guy. He's one of those performers who has somehow ended up in so many shows that I love so have seen him repeatedly. He truly had an ALW residency at The Adelphi at one point spanning years going from Evita to Pimlott Joseph to Love Never Dies! Then saw him again in the Curve version of Sunset! |
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Post by SuttonPeron on Aug 11, 2023 11:53:33 GMT
Not to mention giving Adam Pearce the opportunity to return to the stage in the new cast. I know this was posted in the Performers section, but it's related to his return to Les Mis: "After a few meetings and talks with the amazing team at Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, I have been given an incredible opportunity to return to work and from the end of September I will be going back into Les Miserables.
They approached us asking how my rehabilitation was going and if I'd be interested in an ensemble track and as the Bishop. It is an amazing opportunity but I needed to make sure I was going to be safe and ready for this as my mobility is still not 100% on my left side. Especially the organised chaos that goes on backstage with costume changes and props. But after some really thoughtful meetings with the casting team, Directors, Wardrobe and Wig departments and producers I really do feel that this is the right move.
Les Miserables have been so supportive already. After watching the show, I was able to go to them and explain any worries I could foresee and we've been able to talk through these. I am incredibly grateful that they are willing to make adaptations and adjustments to suit my current physical capabilities.
When I start Rehearsals in a few weeks I will still be continuing all the ongoing therapy I have been having so far and maybe even more. Repetition is key in Stroke recovery. It is so important to keep the basic moves and exercises going to gain strength and continue to grow.
Cameron Mackintosh should feel very proud of their inclusive environment. So far, they could not have done more to support me and make this a reality. I will be forever grateful for this first step back on stage.
See you on the Barricade.
Xx"This makes me feel less bad about the high ticket prices. We shouldn´t be celebrating that performers are taking care of, given it should be the norm, but I´m very glad this show seems to do so. |
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141 posts
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Post by Alejo on Aug 29, 2023 15:51:20 GMT
Does anyone know if the Les Mis souvenir brochure has been updated with photos of the current cast (Lucie Jones, Stewart Clark, Josh Piterman)? It hadn't been when I saw the show in the middle of July.
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1,380 posts
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Post by BVM on Aug 30, 2023 9:18:20 GMT
Does anyone know if the Les Mis souvenir brochure has been updated with photos of the current cast (Lucie Jones, Stewart Clark, Josh Piterman)? It hadn't been when I saw the show in the middle of July. I would also like to know! Les Mis and Phantom are great in that they are one of the few shows to actually bother doing souvenir brochures with the same cast that's in the programme. The downside - it takes aaaaaages so in fact for most periods they don't actually match. Anyway last time I went in May it hadn't been updated after the leads change you mention above. Though was new since the original re-opening one (pics of Thaxton, Tripolino etc). Phantom last time (July) still had Killian, Lucy and Matt Blaker. |
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141 posts
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Post by Alejo on Aug 30, 2023 9:48:50 GMT
Does anyone know if the Les Mis souvenir brochure has been updated with photos of the current cast (Lucie Jones, Stewart Clark, Josh Piterman)? It hadn't been when I saw the show in the middle of July. I would also like to know! Les Mis and Phantom are great in that they are one of the few shows to actually bother doing souvenir brochures with the same cast that's in the programme. The downside - it takes aaaaaages so in fact for most periods they don't actually match. Anyway last time I went in May it hadn't been updated after the leads change you mention above. Though was new since the original re-opening one (pics of Thaxton, Tripolino etc). Phantom last time (July) still had Killian, Lucy and Matt Blaker. I think it was the 18th of July I was at Les Mis, and quickly checked the brochure before buying it - but then held off as it was still Jon Robyns and David Thaxton. I'm missing a few Les Mis souvenir brochures through the years as they hadn't been updated when I saw the show, and then I forgot to later buy them online. I have picked up a few later on eBay, but some casts are impossible to find. EDIT: I remember contacting Dewynters back in the mid-90s and they sent me a list of all the Les Mis brochures they still had in stock, so I went on a bit of spending spree. Got loads of great ones from the 80s, including the first Palace Theatre edition from 1985. Most of these regularly appear on eBay now. |
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Post by BVM on Aug 30, 2023 10:26:00 GMT
I would also like to know! Les Mis and Phantom are great in that they are one of the few shows to actually bother doing souvenir brochures with the same cast that's in the programme. The downside - it takes aaaaaages so in fact for most periods they don't actually match. Anyway last time I went in May it hadn't been updated after the leads change you mention above. Though was new since the original re-opening one (pics of Thaxton, Tripolino etc). Phantom last time (July) still had Killian, Lucy and Matt Blaker. I think it was the 18th of July I was at Les Mis, and quickly checked the brochure before buying it - but then held off as it was still Jon Robyns and David Thaxton. I'm missing a few Les Mis souvenir brochures through the years as they hadn't been updated when I saw the show, and then I forgot to later buy them online. I have picked up a few later on eBay, but some casts are impossible to find. EDIT: I remember contacting Dewynters back in the mid-90s and they sent me a list of all the Les Mis brochures they still had in stock, so I went on a bit of spending spree. Got loads of great ones from the 80s, including the first Palace Theatre edition from 1985. Most of these regularly appear on eBay now. I love this! Do remember Dewynters used to be really helpful for this stuff in the 80's and 90's! I wouldn't have as many Les Mis ones as you but over the years have always bought the programme and brochure (assuming don't already have the latter) every time I've seen the show. During the lockdowns I decided to collect every Starlight Express Apollo Victoria programme and brochure that have ever existed on e-bay. Think I made it in the end but wasn't easy! |
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141 posts
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Post by Alejo on Aug 30, 2023 10:59:19 GMT
I think it was the 18th of July I was at Les Mis, and quickly checked the brochure before buying it - but then held off as it was still Jon Robyns and David Thaxton. I'm missing a few Les Mis souvenir brochures through the years as they hadn't been updated when I saw the show, and then I forgot to later buy them online. I have picked up a few later on eBay, but some casts are impossible to find. EDIT: I remember contacting Dewynters back in the mid-90s and they sent me a list of all the Les Mis brochures they still had in stock, so I went on a bit of spending spree. Got loads of great ones from the 80s, including the first Palace Theatre edition from 1985. Most of these regularly appear on eBay now. I love this! Do remember Dewynters used to be really helpful for this stuff in the 80's and 90's! I wouldn't have as many Les Mis ones as you but over the years have always bought the programme and brochure (assuming don't already have the latter) every time I've seen the show. During the lockdowns I decided to collect every Starlight Express Apollo Victoria programme and brochure that have ever existed on e-bay. Think I made it in the end but wasn't easy! I'm digressing but I also wrote to Cameron Mackintosh's offices back in the 90s to ask about cast updates etc for his shows, and always received a really friendly and helpful reply (signed by Colin Ingram, who now himself is a producer of some big name shows). I think it was him who directed me to Dewynters for the brochures. Haha, my eBay lockdown obsession was musical theatre mugs from the 80s and 90s. I'm now the proud owner of a cupboard full of mugs that will never be used, but are great to look at! 😂 |
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Post by showtoones on Aug 30, 2023 15:38:40 GMT
What is Josh's day off each week? Is it still Monday?
And has he and Stewart listed and holiday dates?
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8,096 posts
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Post by alece10 on Aug 30, 2023 16:14:57 GMT
I would also like to know! Les Mis and Phantom are great in that they are one of the few shows to actually bother doing souvenir brochures with the same cast that's in the programme. The downside - it takes aaaaaages so in fact for most periods they don't actually match. Anyway last time I went in May it hadn't been updated after the leads change you mention above. Though was new since the original re-opening one (pics of Thaxton, Tripolino etc). Phantom last time (July) still had Killian, Lucy and Matt Blaker. I think it was the 18th of July I was at Les Mis, and quickly checked the brochure before buying it - but then held off as it was still Jon Robyns and David Thaxton. I'm missing a few Les Mis souvenir brochures through the years as they hadn't been updated when I saw the show, and then I forgot to later buy them online. I have picked up a few later on eBay, but some casts are impossible to find. EDIT: I remember contacting Dewynters back in the mid-90s and they sent me a list of all the Les Mis brochures they still had in stock, so I went on a bit of spending spree. Got loads of great ones from the 80s, including the first Palace Theatre edition from 1985. Most of these regularly appear on eBay now. I've still got my Palace Theatre programme with original cast so must be the one you mention. Is it worth anything? What I mean is can I retire? 😀 |
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Post by Alejo on Aug 30, 2023 18:06:00 GMT
I think it was the 18th of July I was at Les Mis, and quickly checked the brochure before buying it - but then held off as it was still Jon Robyns and David Thaxton. I'm missing a few Les Mis souvenir brochures through the years as they hadn't been updated when I saw the show, and then I forgot to later buy them online. I have picked up a few later on eBay, but some casts are impossible to find. EDIT: I remember contacting Dewynters back in the mid-90s and they sent me a list of all the Les Mis brochures they still had in stock, so I went on a bit of spending spree. Got loads of great ones from the 80s, including the first Palace Theatre edition from 1985. Most of these regularly appear on eBay now. I've still got my Palace Theatre programme with original cast so must be the one you mention. Is it worth anything? What I mean is can I retire? 😀 Haha, I'm not sure. I've seen an original Barbican programme in pristine condition listed on eBay for £500 before, so I guess it just depends on whether there's someone with more money than sense who will pay that. EDIT: I've just checked eBay and there's an original 1985 Palace Theatre programme and souvenir brochure combo currently listed for £0.99. 😂 |
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Post by alece10 on Aug 30, 2023 18:52:14 GMT
I've still got my Palace Theatre programme with original cast so must be the one you mention. Is it worth anything? What I mean is can I retire? 😀 Haha, I'm not sure. I've seen an original Barbican programme in pristine condition listed on eBay for £500 before, so I guess it just depends on whether there's someone with more money than sense who will pay that. EDIT: I've just checked eBay and there's an original 1985 Palace Theatre programme and souvenir brochure combo currently listed for £0.99. 😂 Damm. Looks like I'll have to go to work tomorrow afterall. Thanks for checking. |
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Post by greeny11 on Aug 30, 2023 20:15:07 GMT
What is Josh's day off each week? Is it still Monday? And has he and Stewart listed and holiday dates? Josh has just returned from holiday, so should be on for most performances except Mondays for the foreseeable future. |
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