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Les Miserables

 
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gazmando



Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 560
Location: Huntingdon

PostPosted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:23 pm    Post subject: Les Miserables Reply with quote

Just been to see Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre.
This is the first musical I've been to and I've got to say it blew me away.
I was expecting it to be quite good but everything about it exceeded my expectations,
All of the singers were absolutely superb and my congratulations go out to each and every one of them(if they're reading)
Also a couple of the songs moved me to tears(don't tell anyone though as I'm a 40 year old male.
PS does anyone know if you can get a recording of the current cast at all?
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Ian Robinson
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Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3608
Location: Chorley, Lancashire

PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 1:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey Gaz, glad you liked it - I said it would stun you! It is an excellent show.

I've no idea if there's a current cast soundtrack, but to be honest I doubt it. Time was you'd get lots of soundtracks but nowadays you're lucky if you can get a London cast at all (rather than Broadway).
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dottie-may



Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 56

PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 2:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Gaz - welcome to the wonderful world of musical theatre!

There are two main contenders for Les Mis CDs - the first is the Complete Symphonic Recording. This is the complete show show but the cast were all from companies around the world who each recorded their parts separately in their own countries, which were then mixed and put together in a studio.
Although you have the luxury of the whole show, it all sounds very flat and dull and isn't especially engaging.

However, then you come to the fabulous 10th Anniversary Concert (known as the TAC) version which was recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall. It isn't the complete show but a semi-staged concert and again, has an international cast (known as The Dream Cast) but it is superb - especially as you can also get it on DVD and watch it!

I would really recommend this, as then you get to see Philip Quast's definitive Javert, Laughing Michael Ball as Marius, Ruthie Henshall as Fantine and Colm Wilkinson as Valjean to name but a few!

I hope this is the start of many happy theatre visits. Wink
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Heloise



Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 237

PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

dottie-may wrote:
Hi Gaz - welcome to the wonderful world of musical theatre!

There are two main contenders for Les Mis CDs - the first is the Complete Symphonic Recording. This is the complete show show but the cast were all from companies around the world who each recorded their parts separately in their own countries, which were then mixed and put together in a studio.
Although you have the luxury of the whole show, it all sounds very flat and dull and isn't especially engaging.

However, then you come to the fabulous 10th Anniversary Concert (known as the TAC) version which was recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall. It isn't the complete show but a semi-staged concert and again, has an international cast (known as The Dream Cast) but it is superb - especially as you can also get it on DVD and watch it!

I would really recommend this, as then you get to see Philip Quast's definitive Javert, Laughing Michael Ball as Marius, Ruthie Henshall as Fantine and Colm Wilkinson as Valjean to name but a few!

I hope this is the start of many happy theatre visits. Wink


I would agree with all that dottie-may. I play the symphonic recording often I love the fact you have all the show on it.It is a shame it wasn't recorded in front of an audience because the only thing it's missing really is the live vibe of the 10th anniversary (Dreamcast).

The 10th Ann is also a brilliant recording and along with Philip Quast's definitive Javert. You get Michael Ball's Definintve Marius Wink

Glad you enjoyed the show.
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idcowden



Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 67

PostPosted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I personally prefer the extended 34 track original london cast recording (not to be confused with the selection recording). It is continguous and has Peter Polycarpou on it as Thenardier.

Just my two pennorth.

Iain
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dottie-may



Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 56

PostPosted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ashamed to say I forgot about that one Iain! I'm not such a fan of this recording and much as I love Roger Allam, I do find his singing voice annoying. And I really don't like Patti LuPone.

But it is fantastic to have an Original Cast recording of this show, and to be able to compare then and now!

Off to see Sweeney Todd on Saturday!! Laughing
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gazmando



Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 560
Location: Huntingdon

PostPosted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 7:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have you seen the video on youtube of John Owen Jones singing Bring Him Home.
It is taken from a Welsh programme and I think it sounds superb.
In my opinion he sounds better than Colm Wilkinson(am I a heretic),and more moving, going by the other videos on youtube.
Thats just an opinion and you lot are far more knowledgeable about these things than me.
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Heloise



Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 237

PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 11:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

gazmando wrote:
In my opinion he sounds better than Colm Wilkinson(am I a heretic),


NOOoooo! Very Happy of course you're not. I have heard John Owen Jones sing Bring him home, in concert but I haven't seen him in the role. He has a tremendous talent but for me Colm Wilkinson who I never saw in the role either, is my Valjean. Up to now anyway Laughing lol
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Ian Robinson
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Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3608
Location: Chorley, Lancashire

PostPosted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I saw this show again this week (about 15 years since I last saw it) and was sad to find myself a little underwhelmed. The staging is still brilliant, but it all seemed rather flat. Maybe it's the smaller theatre, or the cast I'm not sure. The singers certainly had funny accents and little chemistry - not a patch on the recordings or touring version I saw.
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