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Maggiemags

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  2. Les Mis reports - Manchester

    in Miscellaneous Archives

    Posted

    No mention of Gaz, but a nice review nonetheless from a blogger here:

    Tuesday, 9 February 2010

    Les Miserables

    I've just gotten back from watching Les Miserables at the Palace Theatre.

    I adore going to the theatre, whether its Opera, Musicals, Ballet, Shakespeare...Anything on stage. I love it. So going to see Les Mis has been something I've wanted for a while. I used to watch a VHS my grandma had of a performance of it. I used to love watching it, but I had forgotten the storyline. I was over the moon to get tickets for Christmas.

    We had really good seats, right in the middle, with a clear view of the stage and I was incredibly impressed. The way they used the stage, the props, the singing...I was hooked from the moment the lights lowered.

    I was laughing and crying and cheering along the whole way through. The actors were amazing.

    It was so good the whole theatre was on its feet at the end. I've been told its like that every night they've been there. I've never seen a show like it.

    I just want to go see it again!

    xxClairexx

    A Tweet from SophieDownend at 10.28pm last night:

    Les Mis was fab last night-Gareth Gates' as Marius was a great performance, as well as all the male leads, who really stole the show 4 me!

    From the Lancashire Telegraph

    Musical review: Les Misérables @ Palace Theatre, Manchester

    5:21pm Friday 29th January 2010

    By Joanne Rowe

    AFTER 25 years you might expect this hit show to be showing its age — not a bit of it.

    This new touring production of the musical which captivated audiences is still as fresh as the day it was born, with the power to wring the emotions and allow the audience to steep itself in awesome music and stunning sets.

    The reputation of this show is such that it was sold out almost immediately tickets went on sale.

    It cannot be easy maintaining extraordinary levels of acting and singing in a show which has become well known over quarter of a century.

    But there is no complacency here. Les Mis stalwart John Owen-Jones has been brought in for the pivotal role of reformed convict Jean Valjean, a part he has played repeatedly in London, Broadway and one previous visit of the show to Manchester.

    He is utterly, utterly brilliant, striking just the right note of strength and humility, while thrilling with his achingly beautiful voice.

    A show like Les Mis needs no celebrity television stars to boost its appeal, and I must admit I was sceptical when I discovered Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates was to play the student Marius, with whom Valjean’s adopted daughter Cosette falls in love.

    But the once fresh-faced teen heartthrob does not disappoint. He has matured into a performer of stature, taking his place among the best who have played the part in the past.

    Playing opposite him as the lovely Cosette is another familiar television talent show contestant, Katie Hall, who was in the final round of the show to find a Eurovision entry, Your Country Needs You. She brought a dignified sweetness to the part which never tipped into over-sugary sweetness.

    Not a single performance in this show was below par, and when all the elements were combined it constituted an amazing evening’s entertainment, well worthy of the lengthy standing ovation it received.

    Until February 13.

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  7. Gareth to do DJ again

    in Miscellaneous Archives

    Posted

    I think it's just Maggie trying to work out when to put the kettle on for him and just how many sausages to buy! :thumbsup:

    Haha - I wish!

    Are you going to go and do a bit of bobbing around to the music he plays Maggie :laugh: You can always take him home with you afterwards :hyper: :hyper:

    Sadly not - I'm away that weekend. I may have to change my plans :wink: :D

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  8. Les Mis reports - Manchester

    in Miscellaneous Archives

    Posted

    Maggiemags I loved your report. It made me smile loads and envious of others going, loads.

    ...

    P.S. I think you ought to ditch the day job and become a reviewer. You are way better than some we have read.

    Aww, shucks :blush: Thank you. I think we all make a pretty good team - and we can certainly knock spots off most of them out there!

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  13. Les Mis reports - Manchester

    in Miscellaneous Archives

    Posted

    From a blogger here.

    Les Miserables

    Last Saturday night I went to the theatre to see Les Miserables, I'd never seen it before, and all I can say is it was absolutely fantastic! The music and singing was amazing, a really great evening out.

    Pop Idol Gareth Gates played Marius, I was never a fan of him (not being a fan of reality shows in general) but he really does have an amazing voice and was very very good.

    If you get a chance, GO GO GO!

    Plus a few tweets:

    would you believe gareth gates was the best in les mis tonight!
    - @cmriddiough
    Hey guys! Interval time. @johnowenjones and Gareth Gates are brilliant!!
    - @jowivipe
    I went to see it last Thursday. It was excellent. Very impressed with Gareth Gates performance.
    - @mistywestie
    Gareth Gates was fab in Les Mis totally made my Birthday :0)
    - @Charlie6772

    Still overwhelmed by this amazing response to him - if only all these people had been more open-minded before! :D

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  14. Les Mis reports - Manchester

    in Miscellaneous Archives

    Posted

    Review of the show from Manchester Confidential.

    Les Misérables review

    Sarah Tierney watches Gareth Gates sing his way through a storm of emotions at the Palace Theatre

    Date Published: 27/01/2010

    Les Misérables is one of those productions that people refer to as a phenomenon. It's got its own army of fans, its own nickname, and its own set of superlatives: longest-running, best-loved, most-performed and so on. It's celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary this year with an all-new production that has just landed at the Palace Theatre. On Thursday night, the audience gave the phenomenon a phenomenal reception: a standing ovation swept across the stalls. Everything about Les Mis, including the audience reaction, is done on an amplified scale. It's both the strength and the weakness of this production.

    The story is taken from Victor Hugo's novel about the lives of French down-and-outs during the turbulent times leading up to the Paris Uprising of 1832. It opens with convict Jean Valjean (John Owen-Jones) being freed on parole after 19 years of forced labour for stealing a loaf of bread. Beating his chest and clenching his fists, he sings of his woe: although he's free, the official papers he must show employers condemn him as a thief. It's only when a bishop gives him a second chance that he turns his life around.

    Next time we see Jean Valjean, it's eight years later and he's transformed himself from sinner to saint – he's a mayor, a local hero, and a wealthy businessman. Extreme changes in fortune characterise Les Misérables: one of the girls in Jean Valjean's factory, Fantine (Madalena Alberto) goes from hard-working, virtuous mother to desperate, degraded whore. Her daughter, Cosette (Katie Hall) is transformed from an unloved orphan to a rich young lady. Her childhood companion, Éponine (Rosalind James), isn't so lucky: once an indulged child, she ends up as a street urchin, in love with the student Marius (Gareth Gates) who loves the once-maligned Cosette.

    It's an epic story that packs in all the big emotions: anger, love, grief, guilt, hair-clutching despair. Every scene is a big scene. From the opening number, you're caught within a force-ten storm of sentiments, which is fantastic in one sense – nobody goes to a musical looking for subtlety.

    But in another sense, it risks having the opposite effect to what it intends. All that anguish left me feeling largely unmoved, mainly because it is all turned up to the same level: eleven. There's no build-up in this production – we're in finale mode from the off. And there's no holding back: songs such as 'On My Own', which are stirring when performed simply and with restraint, are belted out diva-style as if designed to wow the judges of X Factor. It means that some of the power of Les Misérables is lost. The actors might be able to sustain that degree of emotion for two and a half hours, but the audience is in danger of becoming detached.

    The standing ovation suggests that many people would not agree – and there are elements of this production that are certainly successful. The chorus numbers such as 'At the End of the Day' are great, and Gareth Gates shows off the expressive voice that pinned us to our sofas when he reached the finals of Pop Idol. Ashley Artus and Lynne Wilmot who play the nefarious innkeeper Thénardier and his bawdy wife are another highlight – their opening number 'Master of the House' is a rousing, comedy delight.

    This production has a spectacular, larger-than-life feel, with sets and costumes as big as the performances. Madame Thénardier, for example, seems to have balloons for breasts and Little Cosette (Nikia Attard) wields a sweeping brush that must be twice her size. It all adds up to a vivid, dramatic musical that will impress you, even if it doesn't move you. Fans of Les Mis won't crown this version their favourite, but they certainly won't be disappointed.

    The same review also pops up on Liverpool Confidential.

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  15. Manchester press night

    in Miscellaneous Archives

    Posted

    From the Lancashire Evening Post.

    Les Miserables - Palace Theatre, Manchester

    Published Date: 25 January 2010

    THE British abbreviated this people's opera to Les Mis years back, so no-one should complain if this international travelling production also takes a few liberties with the original.

    Since it has sold out nearly four weeks of performances here, the only theatregoers with a grievance are likely to be those who did not get tickets in the first place.

    If they hurry they can storm the barricades to see it at the Lowry when the same tour brings it back in August. And the full production could return to the region next year for a longer residency.

    Meanwhile this production sacrifices just a little of its sense of the epic, but nevertheless manages several spectacular setpieces of its own.

    It is the third occasion this republican uprising of a musical has stormed the Palace. This time however the giant revolving barricade – that memorably stopped the show's opening night here first time round – has been replaced by a more utilitarian design.

    There is though a cinematic depth provided by startling use of projection effects that take us through the streets of revolutionary Paris, and into its steamy sewers.

    John Owen-Jones reprises Jean Valjean, in the way that only he knows how – having been voted 'best ever' in the central role – although Earl Carpenter, as his nemesis Javert, is equally compelling.

    For a showstopping number it would always be hard to beat Owen-Jones's barely-whispered beginning to Bring Him Home.

    Gareth Gates deserves to lose the 'former Pop Idol' label with performances as capable as this, and he and Katie Hall make a strong duo as lovebirds Marius and Cosette.

    Rosalind James's style of On My Own is more Paris cabaret than commune, and everyone has heard better versions of I Dreamed a Dream . . . haven't we Subo?

    Les Miserables runs until February 13.

    David Upton

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  16. Les Mis reports - Manchester

    in Miscellaneous Archives

    Posted

    What fantastic pics Suzy and Chantel - you must be thrilled with them, thanks for sharing :) And for all the reports too - great to read.

    I couldn't post last night because, to be honest I couldn't really find the words. I'd not particualrly been looking forward to it - other than the fact it was all about Gareth because, much like Snowdrop I'd seen it before and hadn't really cared for it. Indeed, I thought it was all over at the end of the first half and was all set to go home. However, the presence of our main man plus a little more understanding of the story and familiarity with the songs made a huge difference.

    I thought the sets, projections, colours and lighting (although a bit too dark for me at times) were fabulous. It was like a trip around an art gallery - scene upon scene looked like a familiar painting - beautifully done.

    Not a huge fan of Fantine I have to say - she just didn't do it for me. I felt she sang under the note if not right off it more than once and whilst Snowdrop thinks that was a direction choice I felt it was wrong. Eponine looked and sounded too modern for the production in my opinion although I thought she was terrific - it just didn't seem to fit. JOJ isn't really my cup of tea, but I recognise that he does what he does VERY well. I saw someone else somewhere commenting that Katie Hall (Cosette) was perhaps a little too old-school for the production and certainly, whilst she sang beautifully, again it didn't seem to quite chime with the rest of the show. I've also seen a fair amount of criticism of the Thenardiers, but personally I thought they were flawless. M. Thenardier is a hateful although wonderfully comedic character (a la Fagin in 'Oliver!') and she's not much better, but bawdies it up in style - terrific.

    The audience absolutely lapped it up with the people on either side of us in tears at the end and a thundering standing ovation from the whole house at the end.

    I'm sure there was something else I wanted to comment on, but can't just bring it to mind at the moment.

    Oh, yes! Gareth!! :tongue: :D

    His performance is what I couldn't find the words for last night. What an utter joy to hear him singing live again. His voice has matured beyond any expectations. It's wonderfully rich and he has such control. His diction is clear and he hits every note perfectly. I can listen to him 24/7 any day of the week (can't we all?), but now! Wow. It's just beautiful. His acting is terrific and again, surpasses anything I've seen before from him. It's clear he's never fired a gun in his life :wink:, but you can forgive him that every single time he opens his mouth. He kisses women far too much for my liking :D and there's way too much touching going on, but Oh. My. God. - I can even forgive all that. Plus - he looks absolutely gorgeous. :wub: Those of you who have yet to go have such a treat in store that I'm envious of every single one of you - you're going to love it. Cameron Mackintosh is right - the guy is a gift to musical theatre.

    There was a definite frisson around us when he appeared on stage. It rippled through the circle and made it even more exciting. A couple of people behind us didn't know who he was which resulted in a complete history of PI1 from the guy with them, complete with an explanation about his stammer and the fact that it disappears when he sings - they seemed impressed :) There was lots of chatter about him at the interval and on the way out, but we couldn't catch any of it. However, we went for dinner in the restaurant across the road from the theatre and the waiter told us that there had been lots of excitement about him from the customers which was lovely to hear. By the way - we'd highly recommend it as somewhere to go for a pre-show meal. It's called Felicini and is directly opposite the theatre. They recommend you book - the number is 0161 228 6633. Really very good.

    All in all a fabulous couple of evenings. I'm still not a fan of the show - they could completely cut the first hour for me :wink: , but I'm a bigger fan of Gareth's than ever if that's possible. He was amazing. Bring on the Barbican! *Crosses fingers and toes*

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  17. Gareth to do DJ again

    in Miscellaneous Archives

    Posted

    I dont have clue with english geo how long would that journey take?

    Around two and a quarter hours. It's straight up the M6 and then down the M55, so not a bad run at all - especially at that time of night.

    I wonder where he'll be staying . . . I have a spare room :wink: And make a great sausage sandwich :D

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  21. Les Mis reports - Manchester

    in Miscellaneous Archives

    Posted

    Oh, My God! I can't quite get my head around all this. We've put up with the polar opposite from so many for so long, this feels GREAT! :D

    Anyway, a small mention about the show from a Manchester United-mad blogger who had to miss the match last night to go to the performance. Nothing about Gaz, but he says of the production, here:

    As it happens, Les Miserables was marvellous and I would wholeheartedly recommend anyone who has yet to see it (or indeed step foot into a theatre) go and see it for themselves.
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  23. Les Mis reports - Manchester

    in Miscellaneous Archives

    Posted

    Great report Jenjo - thank you.

    I love that all these people are having to change their minds about him, it's somehow particularly pleasing when it's a man. Everyone has been so down on him for so, so long that it's just a joy to read of shifting perceptions on an almost daily basis. I'm planning on taking a before and after vote from the audience at the performances this weekend :wink:

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  25. The Fuller File

    in Archives

    Posted

    There's been LOADS of stories about this, but typically, I can't find any of them right now. There's a bit about it here.

    Essentially, CKX acquired 19 some time ago, with Fuller getting a place on the board. He has now left the board, but will continue to consult for them. In return, they will part-finance his new deals which includes a 'Popstars' type search for a boyband (in conjunction with Perez Hilton(!))and a new web-led TV search for talent called 'I Dream'

    Basically, he's going to be even more rich than he currently is. :D

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