Ok here is my review - hope you all like it :
Les Mis in Concert @ the O2[glow=red,2,300][/glow]
What a brilliant night, I went and saw the 25th anniversary of Les Mis and I didn’t get to the O2 but I saw it at………..Eastleigh VUE cinema and I was lucky to get a seat as I tried Portsmouth cinema but it was all sold out.
Anyway got to the cinema, took my seat – which was dead centre and they already had the screen up live from the O2 and you already felt part of the show even though you weren’t there.
Dead on 7pm they started showing clips from the show over the previous years. Did you know that over 60 million people have seen the show, over 10, 000 performances have been done in London, 40 cast recordings and (I may be wrong) at least 75 million national awards (although could be true). There was also interviews from Sir Cameron Mackintosh and the cast that had been lucky enough to perform for tonight.
It was a bit disappointing to see that there were some empty seats (especially as we heard that some had be released in the week for just £10 – grr if I had known I would of gone up there, oh well never mind.
The show started about 7.10pm and right from the start I knew it was going to be a good show. Oh we were given a cast sheet when we handed in our tickets – um I can see a scrapbook album being done here
I had seen the concert version (via a video that I had bought many years ago) so I knew what it was going to be like but it was great that the cast still wore the costumes that they used on stage.
Not all the cast from the touring production (that I had seen in S’ton a few week’s ago) were in the show & it was a shame that neither John-Own-Jones & Earl Carpenter were playing the 2 main leads, but they had got people in from the USA and other places to play those parts.
You knew that the show was being recorded as you could see the camera crew everywhere but it didn’t spoil the show. The atmosphere at the O2 must have been fantastic; it was here at the cinema. It was strange clapping at a cinema but at the same time it was right to in certain places.
I did see some of our cast in the show – Jonathon Alden, Alistair Brammer & Anthony Henson – in fact Jonathon was seen a lot when the camera was on the main leads . Anthony was one of the sailors and had a singing part. I didn’t see Alistair for a long time in fact not before the song ‘Red’ and then he was on & off during the rest of the show.
There was a choir of (I dread to think how many) ladies & gents sat at the back of the stage and there were 3 lots in the 3 different colours and they joined in the ’big songs that needed extra back up if that ‘s the word.
When “Star’s” was being sung, they had on the screens at the back of the stage pictures of the Thames – well it looked like it but thinking about it must have been somewhere in France but that was great to see.
I did wonder how they would do the ‘Barricade’ as I know that is a spectacular part of the show and what they did was bring all the lights that had been up in the ceiling bought down on hydraulics and ……….well it was hard to explain you had to be there to understand but they did it great.
One Day More was fab, I have heard the song with anything from just 5 cast and now up to about 300 cast were there singing it (can’t see 300 on stage but that could include the choir) and wow it bought shivers down your spine as they say.
During the intermission they kept the screen on so you could see what was happening at the O2 – although nothing & it was strange having ½ hour interval but I expect they need to for everyone to get sorted out for act 2.
There were a lot of standing ovations on and off during the show when a ‘main’ song was sung and when ‘Bring Him Home’ was sung……………well lets just say this it was a good few mins before the next section of the show was sung.
During the ‘sewers’ number they had on the back of the screen moving pictures that looked like you were actually underground.
Javert’s exit wasn’t I thought that great, ok I know it isn’t easy at a concert version to do the same thing as on stage but let’s say was a bit of a letdown, which was a pity as all he did was walk off stage with smoke so it looked like he was going into the unknown
Before I knew it the show was almost at the end which was a shame. As in the show the whole cast came on during the last number when they sing “Do you Hear the People Sing” and again had a standing ovation.
During the clapping they did have on the screens pictures of the 2010 cast in London and on tour and those who weren’t already on stage came on stage and then they showed a picture of the 1985 cast & then the next minute they all came on stage which was a wonderful sight.
A Reprise of “Bring Him Home” was sung by 5 different Jean Valjean and the arrangement that was done was brilliant and even Michael Ball had tears in his eyes – I think a lot of the cast (and the audience did) but only through happiness emotions.
One Day more was sung by everyone on the stage and wow that was a lovely sound.
I didn’t realise how many people that used to be in the original cast I knew – Brian Blessed was in there and another guy (sorry can’t rem his name) who is in New Tricks a the moment.
Eventually after a long standing ovation and everyone taking their bow’s Sir Cameron Mackintosh came on stage and said a lovely short and well deserved speech and took the opportunity to praise the casts with whom he said he had spent the majority of his professional life. saying that they are all stars of the West End – which is true.
He then introduced the authors of the show and then came on stage and did a couple of speeches and while they were doing the speeches Jonathon had a great position you could see him all the time even though CM was very emotional and well I know it was a very emotional night for everyone.
I can’t remember who said it but one of the authors said that normally they do a tribute show for someone who has died and they all laughed and CM said he just realised when the 50th anniversary comes he will be in his 90’s but promised that he would be there
CM also said that the schools have got the rites and anyone who is under 19 can perform the show – that will be interesting to see – and then a few of the schools appeared in the audience and singing …….oh help forgot what number but one of the popular ones…
Just as the show was about to close they had ticker tape come down from the ceiling and short fireworks went off as well on the stage.
While the camera’s panned around the cast before the credits went up I was able to see briefly both Alistair and Antony but that was all but it was nice to see ‘our boys’ in the cast and now of course will be a DVD that will be treasured when it comes out next month
I thought with all the camera’s there last night that there would be something in the papers, but I have looked at 3 papers and nothing, but I am now finding bits & pieces on the websites and I wonder if a brochure will be done for the show as well
I hope I haven’t gone on too long and you have enjoyed reading this. If anyone went and I have put something wrong please correct me and i know other people who have been in Joseph were in the cast but i have to admit i only recognized the 'boys - sorry girls.
Here’s to getting the DVD in Nov
Christine
