MUSICAL: Les MiserablesDATE: 28th August 2010
VENUE: Queen's Theatre, London, UK
RATING: ****
CAST: Jonathan Williams (u/s Valjean), Norm Lewis (Javert), Rebecca Seale (Fantine), Samantha Barks (Eponine), Alistair Brammer (Marius), Lucie Jones (Cosette), Killian Donnelly (Enjolras)
MY REVIEW: Les Miserables is arguably my all-time favourite musicals and it's celebrating its 25th anniversary this year on the West End and Dawn has never seen it so I figure it would be a great chance to revisit this musical. Last time I saw Les Miz, it was back in 2003 when it was still played at the much-larger Palace Theatre which is now home to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Since the beginning of the show, I noticed that the stage and the set was a lot smaller than the Palace Theatre and the scale of the whole show was somewhat smaller and I think that did take away some special magic of the show but the use of turntables always impresses me. I was, at first, a bit disappointed that Simon Bowman wouldn't be playing Valjean but Jonathan Williams who understudied him did a very good job at the role though some of his high note sounded a little bit too unnatural. However, he's a good Valjean overall.
Norm Lewis was our Javert and he was also Javert on Broadway. He had a really good and commanding stage presence though his singing voice could have been stronger and more powerful, maybe I'm too used to Philip Quast and Terrence Mann. His 'Javert's Suicide' was very good though and I like how he phrased the verse and actually made the audience follow the lyrics better but his jump of the bridge was bad and so unrealistic. It was one of my favourite parts of the show and he let me down.
Samantha Barks was our Eponine and she was unbelievable. She reminded me a lot of Lea Salonga's version and her singing voice was just impeccably beautiful. Alistair Brammer and Lucie Jones were our Marius and Cosette and to be honest I didn't like either of them. Alistair's voice sounded really strange and high and Lucie's Cosette was so bland. I also didn't like Rebecca Seale as Fantine. Her 'I Dreamed a Dream' was very disappointing.
The members of the cast that really stood out for me was Killian Donnelly as Enjolras. He was just really good and commanding in the role, one of the best Enjolras's I've seen. The Thenardiers were hilarious as usual. Our Gavroche was a bit stiff and too bad people laughed when he died. The end of the show was still as lovely as the first (and every) time I've seen it and I had tears in my eyes when the curtain fell.
Overall, a good production of a good musical which I would recommend to anyone. For me, it's a great revisit but still not as good as the first time I saw it.
MUSICAL: Blood BrothersDATE: 28th August 2010
VENUE: Phoenix Theatre, London, UK
RATING: ***
CAST: Viviene Carlyle (u/s Mrs. Johnstone), Rebekah Clifford (u/s Mrs. Lyons), Philip Stewart (Narrator), Stephen Palfreman (Mickey), Simon Willmont (Eddie)
MY REVIEW: Since Dawn wanted to see Love Never Dies and I didn't want to see it again so we went separate ways and I bought myself a ticket to the long-running Blood Brothers. I must be so 'lucky' since again I got understudies in the main roles!
X Factor's Niki Evans was supposed to be our Mrs. Johnstone but she was out and we had Viviene Carlyle instead who normally plays Mrs. Lyons so our Mrs. Lyons was also another understudy. I was a bit annoyed but I wouldn't let it get to me so I told myself to just sit back and enjoy the show. It turned out that the 2 leading ladies were very good, both acting and singing, as well as the rest of the cast. Philip Stewart who was our narrator was very good and his calmness suited the feel of the show and role well.
The show started off with all the cast standing over two dead bodies and our narrator came out to ask the famous question.. "Did you ever hear about the Johnstone twins?" As the show goes, I found that the Liverpool accent was very strong and it was quite hard for me to follow so I had to pay A LOT of attention througout. I love the interaction between the two ladies. 'Easy Terms' and 'Shoes upon the Table' were outstanding.
I had to admit that I didn't know that the actors playing Mickey and Eddie would be playing the role since they were 7 years old. It was frankly a bit wierd to see them like that and the accent made things a bit worse for me 'cause, unlike the rest of the audience, I didn't get any jokes they were doing. Overall, I think they were quite good at what they were trying to achieve.
I really admire the production. There were practically no scene change, simply props put here and there. The cast consists of only about 8 people doing multiple roles at different time of the story. The ending was really powerful and emotional and 'Tell Me It's Not True' was really good. It took them like 3 curtain calls before the cast could actually smile and be back to themselves as actors.
However, I think the show's pace was really slow and there were many times in the show where I did feel bored and Willy Russell's music, though had some good moments, was boring at several points. Overall, even though the last scene was very dramatic and good, I don't think this is a musical for everyone, especially if you're not a native. I could see many of my friends dislike this musical unless you want some strong, dramatic show to see. But I would still suggest other shows first and save this for when you have time. Sorry, Blood Brothers!
MUSICAL: Legally BlondeDATE: 29th August 2010
VENUE: Savoy Theatre, London, UK
RATING: *****
CAST: Sheridan Smith (Elle Woods), Matthew McKenna (u/s Emmett), Richard Fleeshman (Warner), Jill Halfpenny (Paulette), Tamara Wall (u/s Brooke)
MY REVIEW: Since my train didn't leave until 6, I figure I had time for another matinee and my choice was Legally Blonde. Honestly, I love this show. I think it was funny, the music was catchy and I'm sure it would appeal to many people.
Sheridan Smith was just unbelievable. She totally captured the audience with her charisma and personality. Her singing voice was good and even though she had a different approach to Laura Bell Bundy, she held her own Elle Woods very well. Our Emmett was an understudy (again!) and he was good, not as good as Christian Borle, but I had nothing bad to complain. Richard Fleeshman took over the role from Blue's Duncan James and I think he was a bit weak on both acting and singing. His singing was, most of the time, very poppish and lack of power. Jill Halfpenny was a really funny Paulette and Tamara was a good Brooke Wyndham. I also need to mention the dogs, both the chihuahua and bulldog. They stole the show even though the chihuahua refused to come out during the first scene in 'Omigod, You Guys' and the cast member had to walk backstage to carry her out and she wouldn't bark so that cast member had to pretend that the dog was whispering to her ears.. :)
The production was altered a bit from the Broadway version, notably the 'Legally Blonde' scene where it was originally sung at the law office and moved to Elle's room with Emmett locked outside the room to simply just at the law office with Elle just ran away. Also, some lyrics were adjusted probably to suit British audience. The costume and colour were just fun to look at.
Overall, I had a really great time and I would encourage anyone to see it, whether you have seen the movie or not. I don't know how the show would be if Sheridan leaves, but I think with this strong production and cast, I could see it survive for a couple of years... hopefully! Well, just come and see it and you'll love it!
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