[curlie]

Everytime I'm in London (which is about twice a year), I try to see Les Miserables. In my opinion, the best Valjean I've ever seen and heard was John Owen Jones. After he left I saw the show several times, but it was just not the same anymore. And the actors/singers which played the role of Valjean either did not have this powerful voice or they were just not convincing in their acting and lacked this special something...

However, when I went again last Saturday I finally saw light at the end of the tunnel – finally a Valjean, who is playing in the same league:

Jonathan Williams has an incredible voice (which he could prove when he sang his "Bring him home") - he just needs a tiny bit more volume (really only a tiny bit - but the more he gets the chance to play Valjean the more practice he will get ). His acting is so wonderful and natural that I really believed that he indeed is Jean Valjean (don't know how to describe it better). It was really a joy to listen to him and to watch his Valjean aging and also watch his facial expressions (I sat in the very first row) while he was interacting with the other characters. Unfortunately, I heard he's an understudy - I really keep my fingers crossed that in the near future he gets his leading role as Valjean in LesMis. Does anybody know if his voice is on any other West End (or other) recordings?

Just can say: great performance! I wish him the very best for his successful West End career, and to all others – if you have not seen him yet, go and see a performance where he is playing Valjean!

PS: Since I'm not English sorry for any possible misspells…

[Fantine]

I also saw the show on Saturday (from the front row, so must have been sat somewhere near you curlie :-)) and agree that Jonathan was just brilliant. Its the second time I have been lucky enough to see him as JVJ, the last time was in December, and he has improved even more since then. He is a great actor and his voice is perfect for the part.

Another one here who was in the front row (BB22) on Saturday, and I couldn't agree more! I also saw Jonathan as Valjean in December. I particularly liked his relationship with Cosette.

I would love to see Simon Shorten (2nd cover) as Valjean though. He has a wonderful voice and his character in Master of the House with the ear trumpet is hilarious!

[curlie]

Another one here who was in the front row (BB22) on Saturday, and I couldn't agree more! I also saw Jonathan as Valjean in December. I particularly liked his relationship with Cosette.

Nice to hear that there are also other music-lovers out there who are sharing my opinion!

Seems, he's not often given the opportunity to play Valjean since we are all talking about the same evening...? Is there actually some kind of schedule available where you can already see beforehand who is playing?

Just something I noticed - the applause at the end was more than enthusiastic but why did nobody stand up to applaud? (I would have loved to, but well, too shy to stand there all alone in the first row...)

(By the way Fantine, I'm pretty much sure you were not sitting on this particular seat.... )

[Fantine]

(By the way Fantine, I'm pretty much sure you were not sitting on this particular seat.... )

I was at the matinee, you must have been at the evening show?

I don't know if anyone's seen Mark Dugdale playing Enjolras, but he's very very good and worth seeing.

Another understudy I really want to see! I'm a huge David Thaxton fan though, so I don't think I could bring myself to deliberately go when I knew he wasn't on, but at the same time, I would be very happy to see Mark's Enjolras. I saw John Jo Flynn in the role though, who was very good. Do we know if Mark is staying another year yet?

I wondered the same myself. I was at both shows on Saturday and there definitely people standing for Jonathan at the end of the Matinee performance. He had such a big grin on his face and looked like he didn't want to go off stage :-D For some reason, no one stood in the evening. I too am too shy myself when I am sat at the front, although I should have just been brave and stood up myself I guess lol

I always feel self conscious about standing when I'm at the front. I felt guilty for not standing at the matinee, especially since there were some great understudies on.