Les Misérables - Cast Change 2009 Options

[Rain]

Thanks for that Twiggy! Really interesting to read.

[Jasmine]

I saw this on Sat evening and it was phenomenal, I can't fault it. The cast got a standing ovation and it was very emotional.
Does anyone know if the members that have left have got anything else lined up? I'm sure they will have something else in the pipeline as they are all so talented.

I wish them all well with whatever they do next!

[n9037]

Thanks foe lovely review of the cast change matinee, "Twiggy".
I'm absolutely devastated that I couldn't make it, would have loved to see Jon and Nancy together once more. Alas it was not meant to be.
I'm glad that you enjoyed it and that you enjoyed David Shannon's performance - I was more than willing to see him with an open mind last Wednesday, but he wasn't on! I'll have to go again sometime soon to see him, I'm certain he will have improved since I last saw him and was a little disappointed.

Also a shame that certain fans were rather less than respectful at the stage door afterwards. It is upsetting when actors aren't treated with respect and are made to feel uncomfortable. Its clear that actors appreciate when fans treat them like human beings rather than objects, and its a shame that not everyone shares this view.

I wish all the new cast the best of luck with the show (hopefully nobody trips over the revolve...) and all the cast members who have left... I hope its not too long before we see them back on the West End! Jon Robyns and Leanne Dobinson in particular!

[Law2808]

Full cast from the Les Mis London group on Facebook

DAVID SHANNON Jean Valjean
EARL CARPENTER Javert
MARTIN BALL Thénardier
ALISTAIR BRAMMER Marius
NANCY SULLIVAN Eponine
REBECCA SEALE Fantine
LORRAINE BRUCE Madame Thénardier
DAVID THAXTON Enjolras
KATIE HALL Cosette

SOPHIE JOSSLYN Factory Girl/Whore
JEFF NICHOLSON Factory Foreman/Brujon
GEORGE MILLER Bamatabois/Claquesous
GAVIN JAMES Bishop of Digne/Combeferre
MARTIN NEELY Grantaire

THOMAS CAMILLERI Montparnasse
SIMON SHORTEN Babet
ANTHONY HANSEN Feuilly
DYLAN WILLIAMS Joly
JOE EVANS Prouvaire
JONATHAN WILLIAMS Lesgles
MARK DUGDALE Courfreyac
LAURA MEDFORTH Madame
RACHEL BINGHAM Crone/Old Woman
NATALIE DAY Crone
CHLOE BROOKS Waitress/Whore
DANIELLA GIBB Urchin/Whore
AJ CALLAGHAN Urchin/Whore
HELEN OWEN Urchin/Whore

Swings
BRENDA MOORE (Assistant Dance Captain)
KATY HANNA
GREG CASTIGLIONI (Dance Captain)
MARK HEDGES
KILLIAN DONNELLY


Did anyone see the new cast last night ?

[KirstyE]

I saw the new cast last night. There were obviously alot of nerves but all in all some good first night performance. Special mention to Alistair Brammer as I thought his Empty Chairs was great.

It will take them all some time to settle in, but I am definitely interested in going back to see Martin Ball in a few months time. He doesn't have the strongest voice in the world, but his acting last night was great and I think he is going to be a fab Thenardier.

Not so impressed with a couple of people - Lorraine Bruce shouted and screeched her way through Madame T's parts, and Martin Neely was awful as Grantaire - but am really looking forward to seeing Jeff Nicholson as Javert when he covers for Earl in August.

[n9037]

I have to ask, how was Katie Hall as Cosette?
Leanne Dobinson was so brilliant, she made me actually like the character. I can't really imagine Katie having the same effect...

[KirstyE]

I have to ask, how was Katie Hall as Cosette?
Leanne Dobinson was so brilliant, she made me actually like the character. I can't really imagine Katie having the same effect...

I actually liked her alot more than I was expecting to. She has a lovely voice and there was a very endearing quality about her.

[Guest]

very unmoved by monday nights show... rather average all round. New cast dont seem to work as well together in an ensemble compared to this time last year. Really disappointing. I wont be going back till Earl/David leave.

Marius - weakest/wettest/unemotional marius ever.

all rather lacklustre

[kirsty_earl]

I will miss him so much. I just can't imagine anybody else as Grantaire now. The chemistry between Richard and David Thaxton was spot on, and I say this as a huge fan of the book who knows it like the back of her hand. He is a thoroughly lovely guy as well.
I would have to disagree about his Javert though. I loved his voice in the role, and his acting choices were outstanding...like throwing his arms out on 'Shoot me now or shoot me later' and the way he sings 'I am the law and the law is not mocked'. Ever since I saw him in the role I've been so disappointed whenever Earl didn't do the things Richard did. (although that doesn't mean I don't think Earl is incredible as Javert, because he is!)

Its a shame that Jeff Nicholson is playing Foreman/Brujon rather than Foreman/Grantaire this time around, as I loved his Grantaire. Still, his Foreman was excellent so I'm looking forward to seeing that again.

I completely agree. I am going to miss him so much. I really loved his Grantaire, he was the only person I've seen in the role who has stood out so much. I was lucky enough to see both shows on Saturday and Woody was as awesome as ever. His intertaction with DT is so lovely. I saw the new Grantaire on Monday night, which was possibly a bit soon after the emotions of Saturday, but was not impressed at all.

Woody's Javert is my favourite out of everyone I've seen in the role. His facial expressions in particular are just fantastic. And his "shoot me now" arms are my favourite bit of the show when he's on as Javert. I love his little Woody-isms and he has such a great voice for Javert. I due tend to think that Earl speaks far too much, and on Saturday he was shouting "shoot me now" so loud I nearly had to cover my ears lol.

I just hope Woody returns to the show one day as I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him over the past 2 years.

[Guest_Sam_*]

Jeff is Grantaire tonight

Hmmm new Marius is not sounding good Is he better than Jon Lee?!