Les Miserables

[MyNameIsAlexDrake]

Did anyone watch the staged concert tonight screened at cinemas? Or indeed was anyone lucky enough to watch it in the flesh?

This was my first encounter of Les Mis I had no idea what it was about had only ever heard Susan Boyle sing 'I dreamed a dream' on BGT but OMG it was amazing!

Such an epic cast tonight too with Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Matt Lucas. I loved Katy Secombe and Matt together. Hard to imagine anyone else in their place.

My local cinema was sold out with two main screens showing it. Never seen a cinema so busy. I only found out it was showing today and there were only a few single seats left so I did a first and went on my own. Luckily I was sat next to a lady and her (reluctant) husband so I had someone to chat to during the interval.

Seeing this actually live is now going on my bucket list.

I cry every time Eponine dies, she's my favourite, I named my cat after her.

Eponine is my favourite as well. I listened to ‘on my own’ as a lovelorn and angsts teen possibly a little too much

Oh heck. I've seen Les Mis NINE times. Lots of different casts. Mainly the musical show, but I did see the concert two months ago which is the cast that was on last night. I went to the cinema last night as well, so if I count that one its ten times.
It's quite different seeing the musical production as in the concerts there isn't much acting and so it feels quite different.
I first saw Colm Wilkinson in the Jean Valjean role and he's the one you will see on the 25th anniversary DVD. I also saw him play the Priest role.
I also saw Alfie Boe when he did the role first of all just a few years ago. His acting was very wooden then - he's got used to it now.

Last night Michael Ball struggled a bit (I saw he tweeted that he had the worst chest infection he'd ever had and only went back on 29th November) and also Matt Lucas wasn't quite as flamboyant as usual - his face looked a little droopy and I thought he might be unwell.

Carrie Hope Fletcher was a delight as usual.

I am a Les Mis fanatic, I need help.

I'm not a Matt Lucas fan, but have to say he was brilliant when I went to the concert - the Thénardiers both were. It is that time of year, maybe they're all suffering, and big pressure to be there for the screened event.

I saw the stage show for the first time last month and it was the best thing I've ever seen, on stage or on film. I cried through it and the bit when Javert does his solo in the middle was the most impressive thing I've witnessed, like being in church. So, so glad I dragged DH along went.

I've managed to see Les Miserables on 15 o occasions over the years ... Forget the film (Spectacular as it was) the singing of Russel Crowe and Hugh Jackman was (At best) mediocre. For my part The 10th Anniversary Concert Production of Les Miserables is the best you can get ... There will never be a better cast. I would also recommend Miss Saigon by the same writers.

I went and as it was the 'Staged Concert' version, I was thinking to myself that if you hadn't seen it before or read the book, you wouldn't have had a clue what was going on!

It was brilliant, though. Matt Lucas was very funny. I thought Eponine's voice was sublime. Nice touch with the stuff at the end, although at that point, I kind of just wanted to get home!

Enjorlas was fairly easy on the eye!

It's not known as The Glums for nothing.

I saw the staged concert with my mum in October. Alfie Boe was off sick, (he has been sick a lot during this run), so we saw John Owen Jones. My mum is a big Alfie fan, so she was initially disappointed, but we both LOVED John OJ - he is phenomenal. I couldn't get to the screening last night, but I believe he was one of the five JVJ's who sang at the end? I'm now waiting eagerly for the dvd. I actually liked the film - Russell Crowe is rubbish, but most of the others are good in it, particularly Samantha Barks, (Eponine), she was wonderful. Loving Carrie Hope Fletcher as Fantine in the show, she's breathtaking.

Fun fact - Carrie Hope Fletcher is Tom Fletcher's sister, (the chap from McFly). She also writes books too, though I'm not sure where she finds the time!

I've loved it sooner I read the book at school in French for A Level and performed the songbook in the school choir. I haven't seen it in the West End though because DH really took against it when I forced him to watch played the 10th and 25th anniversary versions at home. DS saw it a couple of years ago and says it's excellent so it's on my bucket list. But bloody hell the book was hard going!

Saw it in London in September. Awesome. Saw it last night and cried buckets at the end! Poor Michael had a cold but did so well to carry it off. Got tickets for new production. Can't wait to see the very hot new Javert 😍. Phil Quast was my favourite Javert but Nick Greenshields topped him in the touring production this year.

*since not sooner. Bloody phone

Saw it years ago in London with no prior knowledge at all and was blown away. Have since listened to the soundtrack. Would love to have seen this at the cinema.

The Hollywood film was a travesty!

Liked the recent BBC production with no music.

It goes well alongside Hamilton IMO: one about a successful revolution, one a failed attempt.

Me too 🤣. Seen it 18 times! Plus O2 25th Anniversary concert and London staged concert. Got tickets for new production in March! You're not alone! Cried buckets last night when Michael sung with new Javert (despite his chest infection) 😍

@WellGoshDarnIt they are showing last night again as ENCORE performances later this week in cinemas over 2 nights

So you might be able to see it in cinema before DVD comes out

@SubisYodrethwhenLarping - I'm trying to persuade DD that she really wants to see it, (no luck as yet!), as we don't have anyone to leave her with. She's convinced it will be 'sad' and a 'bit boring'

For those who missed the screening yesterday it's on again on Saturday, Sunday and Monday in some cinemas (an encore screening).

It is still expensive to go to the cinema but compare it to a trip to london with seats starting at what £40 - £200 - then the less than £20 ticket looks more attractive. I love having the opportunity to see the shows in the cinema - not as good as being there but better than missing out completely.

@AppropriateAdult the rotating stage is going, as is the current barricade. Changes have been made to 'do you hear the people sing'.

They are going to use the stripped back touring version so scene changes will be on a screen rather than a set change

😱😱😱

I’m another huge fan of Les Mis, I’ve seen the whole live show 3 times, and the (not great IMHO) film. I went last month with my grown up son, who is a big fan too, to the staged concert which was fantastic. It was John Owen-Jones, and I think he is better than Alfie Boe, he got a standing ovation mid concert for Bring Him Home.

I went buckets as did many others including my big tough boy.

I will always have a bit of a soft spot for Les Mis, it's one of the classics! I have a friend who was in the cast last year so I was at the last performance with the original staging/revolve this July, the barricade actually got a round of applause during the big reveal at the start of act 2! Then at the end they passed round glasses of champagne (or probably generic fizz) to toast the end of the run, it was surprisingly emotional!

I know that the updated version caused a bit of controversy among the die-hard fans, but I've heard really good things too. I think it's such a great story that whatever format it's in it will remain popular.

First time I saw Les Mis (on tour circa mid 90's) I only saw the first half hour as something in the tech started smouldering and the performance was abandoned.

I've seen the stage version around 15 times, It's my favourite musical although, I didn't like the film version ( whoever allowed Russell Crowe to ... ' Sing ' should be shot )
The 10th. Anniversary Concert from The Royal Albert Hall was and still is, the best casting of this show. Colm Wilkins as Valjean is magnificent and his rendition of Bring Him Home has never been bettered ... The True Dream Cast.

Bloody brilliant. Lucky enough to see it at the West End (years & years ago). Last night screening was very emotional. Michael Ball handing over the role of Javert to a younger actor. High recommended