Les Miserables - what a show

[Easy 10]

I guess I have a heart of stone The only emotion I felt at the end was relief that it was finally over. Theres no doubt that the cast are incredibly talented but I spent four hours wondering what the f@*k was going on. If you don't know the story line it's almost impossible to follow so it becomes a succession of seemingly random scenes. By the end I was none the wiser than when it started. It did seem to be only me with this problem though as everyone else was dabbing away at their eyes.

I guess musicals just aren't my thing.

I'd seen the film before the show, and IMO that helps, I like getting familiar with the songs before seeing the show live (did the same with Phantom of the Opera, which is great as well). Russell Crowe as Javert can't sing for toffee though, terrible casting, so when you see someone on stage playing that part properly its so much better. Not a particularly intricate plot, just a tale of redemption.

 

[Norman Potting]

My favourite song from the musicals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-fG8c-CMoU

 

[Peteinblack]

Saw Les Miserables again this afternoon for the second time in the West End, and I can barely describe how good it is. The stage production is mesmerising, the creativity on that revolving stage is at times genuinely eyepopping. Whoever played Jean Valjean and Javert (I'm not quite enough of a luvvie to know their names) were superb. I quite like the film, but nothing compares with that stage production. Actually seeing a live orchestra, with phenomenally talented actors singing their hearts out is such a privilege. Genuine, jaw-dropping performances, and YES I snotted up at the end and SNIVELLED. You would need a heart of stone not to..

If you've not seen it - do yourself a favour. Its bloody marvellous.

Have seen it four times (and will go and see it again soon) - me and Mrs Peteinblack have never reached the end without blubbing (particularly when Fantine dies). In fact, I don't think there was a dry eye in the theatre.

On the other hand, the 'Master of the House' section/song is brilliant and joyous.

 

[Peteinblack]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VALfpc-dJ7s

 

[Professor P]

My lad has just finished a 5 month stint in the west end playing Gavroche (the little Artful Dodger character who gets shot singing 'little people...') I must have seen 20 of his 50 odd performances. I'm an emotional wreck.

I can though confirm that Phil Daniels is an absolutely top fella.

 

[Titanic]

My lad has just finished a 5 month stint in the west end playing Gavroche (the little Artful Dodger character who gets shot singing 'little people...') I must have seen 20 of his 50 odd performances. I'm an emotional wreck.

I can though confirm that Phil Daniels is an absolutely top fella.

Fantastic... what a great opportunity for a young lad. This only goes to show what little people can do!

 

[Easy 10]

My lad has just finished a 5 month stint in the west end playing Gavroche (the little Artful Dodger character who gets shot singing 'little people...') I must have seen 20 of his 50 odd performances. I'm an emotional wreck.

I can though confirm that Phil Daniels is an absolutely top fella.

That's interesting. I thought yesterday that a boy played BOTH the roles of Gavroche and the child Cosette - when the cast all came back to take a bow, there was no sign of little Cosette, only Gavroche.

Do they do that ?

 

[Professor P]

Yup. Little Corsette isn't in the second half so has to be picked up by a parent as the theatre won't shell out for a chaperone to look after her just - so she never gets to take a bow at the curtain call. Gavroche is in both halves so stay til the end and gets a bow.

Glamour of the west end!

 

[Franks Wild Years]

That's interesting. I thought yesterday that a boy played BOTH the roles of Gavroche and the child Cosette - when the cast all came back to take a bow, there was no sign of little Cosette, only Gavroche.

Do they do that ?

It's not unusual for child actors not to take bows. Their contracts are very strict on hours being kids , and if a show over runs (not difficult with Les Mis) they've long ago been whisked off home to bed.

 

[Acker79]

I rented the 10th anniversary concert several years back and thoroughly enjoyed it. I ended up buying the 25th anniversary concert. I went to see the show in the west end a month or two before the film came out, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Then enjoyed the film when it came out.

I do love musicals. I don't go as often as I like partly because of cost, partly because of the hassle of travelling to London, and partly because most of my friends aren't really into stage shows.

I would love to see Something Rotten.



(the sound is a little low on this)

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

I thought it was head and shoulders the best musical I have ever seen. Absolutely outstanding. 96 out of 100

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

I am not a great musicals fan - certainly not an Andrew Lloyd Webber fan - But les Mis stands out. have seen the film, a student production about 10 years ago and then the professional touring production fairly recently. A great story superbly done, and also intensely moving.

Having read the novel as part of a French degree some 40 years ago and knowing something of the history of the Commune makes it all the more so. It's the "Can you hear the People sing" bit that really does for me. Revolutionary zeal and all that.

 

[Nigella's Cream Pie]

Grubby people in a depresssing story.

I prefer an upbeat show with humour, nice costumes and dancing, as long as it's not Lloyd Webber: Guys and Dolls is one of my favourites

 

[mrhairy]

I think to get the full power of it you need to be in the stalls and near the front. I remember when it started and the word introduction came up and I saw the date that it starts in 1815 I was shocked as I always thought it was about the French Revolution.