830 replies to this topic

[rwf]

Did anyone else see Jay Bryce as Javert? I went on Saturday and thought he was great. He was by no means perfect, but I loved his voice and acting. He would be incredible if he got to go on more often. Also, I actually liked Ramin's Valjean, I think he's grown a lot in the part. He will never be my favourite Valjean (still don't like his voice), but I enjoyed his performance.

[tommo2k]

Listened to some Geronimo Rauch On YouTube and I reckon he'll be a great JVJ. Such power but seems to act the song too, unlike Alfie Boe who sang great but was boring. Looking forward to seeing him in June.

[SHk]

rwf, on 21 March 2012 - 10:54 PM, said:

<br />Did anyone else see Jay Bryce as Javert? I went on Saturday and thought he was great. He was by no means perfect, but I loved his voice and acting. He would be incredible if he got to go on more often. Also, I actually liked Ramin's Valjean, I think he's grown a lot in the part. He will never be my favourite Valjean (still don't like his voice), but I enjoyed his performance.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

So glad someone mentioned him. I myself have never seen him as Javert, but a friend who did talked very highly of his performance. I hope he will get a principal role soon if he is staying.

Also, I have seen Shauan as Javert twice.  I much much prefer him to Hadley in that role. Shauan too wasn't perfect. His Javert was still in the training period (so to speak), but the Shauan did have Javert's soul inside. He played it very very simple with no fuss no decoration, and that way works better than how Hadely plays it, IMHO.

Finally, I went to see today's matinee which was my overall ??th and about 10th seeing Ramin@JVJ.  I was deeply deeply moved by his portrayal of this role. He gave truth to every single note he sang. And the range of emotions he can put in his voice. I even think Ramin has overcome his only weakness (=inconsistancy).  To think he's been plyaing this role only for 3 months, and yet achieved this much is simply incredible. Ramin is an incrediblly talented actor who has so much respect for the role and gives so much to do the role justice. We are lukcy indeed to have in the UK.

[craftymiss]

I've seen Shaun as Javert and agree with your comments. There are quite a few understudies stepping up atm (maybe a combination of holidays and LM movie filming?) and I have been lucky to see Jacobson as JVJ, Fra as Marius and Scott as Enjolras who imho plays it with such emotion he is probably the best I have seen.  In fact I am seeing them again before the leads return especially to see Chris; a real gem.

[Doogie Hoser]

I always thought Enjorlas was either a bit of eye candy or, when played with effort, a bit of a ranty loon, really.

Scott Garnham played him in a way that really gave him some depth, for me.  Garnham really was one of the best, perhaps the best, I've seen as Enjolras.

[Cactus]

It doesn't help that the character never sings about himself, I suppose some performers struggle with that. London hasn't really had many actors who have given the character much depth... David Thaxton was quite exceptional just a couple of years ago in that sense and brought everything to the role you could ask for, which really refined the part for me in a lot of ways. I do like Scott Garnham and certainly enjoy his performance more than Liam Tamne's who I felt was miscast...

[SHk]

craftymiss, on 22 March 2012 - 10:12 AM, said:

<br />I've seen Shaun as Javert and agree with your comments. There are quite a few understudies stepping up atm (maybe a combination of holidays and LM movie filming?) and I have been lucky to see Jacobson as JVJ, Fra as Marius and Scott as Enjolras who imho plays it with such emotion he is probably the best I have seen.  In fact I am seeing them again before the leads return especially to see Chris; a real gem.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Yes, current understudies in Les Miz are all very good or better than the principals, IMO. Scott is certainly one of the best Enjorlrases I've seen along with David Thaxton and Kojiro Oka of Japan.

[SHk]

Cactus, on 22 March 2012 - 12:27 PM, said:

<br />It doesn't help that the character never sings about himself, I suppose some performers struggle with that. London hasn't really had many actors who have given the character much depth... David Thaxton was quite exceptional just a couple of years ago in that sense and brought everything to the role you could ask for, which really refined the part for me in a lot of ways. I do like Scott Garnham and certainly enjoy his performance more than Liam Tamne's who I felt was miscast...<br />

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I agree.

[mjr]

With Rebecca now back on track for a November opening on Broadway, do we think Tam wil depart to re-take his place in the broadway cast????

[Cactus]

mjr, on 23 March 2012 - 09:04 PM, said:

With Rebecca now back on track for a November opening on Broadway, do we think Tam wil depart to re-take his place in the broadway cast????

Good question... I'm not sure if he's allowed to drop out or what the contractual issues could be, but I'd be surprised of he chose playing Javert in one of many Les Mis casts (when he can still do that in a couple of years even) over originating a Broadway lead role... And they'd still have time to get a new Javert for the next cast (I'd personally suggest Jeff Nicholson).