Posted: 7/13/19 at 2:25pm
It’s about to start. There are three cameras filming and cheers coming from backstage. History is being made/finishing right now - one of the iconic productions leaving forever. I dont even like the show but am shocked that it’s about to go.
Updated On: 7/13/19 at 02:25 PM
Posted: 7/13/19 at 2:58pm
I still can't believe the original staging is being replaced.
Posted: 7/13/19 at 4:59pm
qolbinau said: "It’s about to start. There are three cameras filming and cheers coming from backstage. History is being made/finishing right now - one of the iconic productions leaving forever. I dont even like the show but am shocked that it’s about to go."
Hopefully being filmed for public release
Posted: 7/13/19 at 5:45pm
Posted: 7/13/19 at 6:13pm
Posted: 7/13/19 at 6:20pm
I decided to see this, one last time. Saw the original version in it's first week at the Barbican and a couple of times at the Palace. Sorry to say, I found this final production devoid of any emotion. Had the feeling it was being run by the clock, show has to finish by 10:20 , no matter what.
Posted: 7/13/19 at 6:20pm
Whatever the reason, it's unfortunate. How long before Phantom becomes the longest running musical in the West End? Surely this new production of Les Mis won't count?
Updated On: 7/13/19 at 06:20 PM
Posted: 7/13/19 at 6:31pm
Call_me_jorge said: "If I’m not mistaken, the new production is wholly produced by Cameron Macintosh, while the original is a co production with RSC. So Cam will be getting more money with the new production."
I remember also reading speculation (potentially on this board - I don’t remember) that the director and designer royalties would also be quite a lot lower for the new production.
Posted: 7/13/19 at 10:13pm
Updated On: 7/13/19 at 10:13 PM
Posted: 7/13/19 at 10:25pm
Posted: 7/13/19 at 11:47pm
I first saw it on Broadway in the second year of its original run (but with original cast member Michael MaGuire still on the show) and that started the love affair with Les Mis. By accident I bought the original London cast recording...and not the Broadway OCR. That made me even more attached to the show. Eventually I would see it about 10 times over the years - even once in Paris in its run at the Theatre Mogador...and here where I live. All with the famous revolve...except for the last one ( a production from Australia that came over) here which was the supposedly leaner version. Now it will just be the leaner and meaner ( Cameron gets all the cash) version. Too bad the original stagings in London and maybe Broadway were never filmed for public consumption. At least we have the film adaptation ( which was kind of divisive - but to me, is now my definitive version..and I do like that it restored "Do You Hear the People Sing" as the top musical theme -- because it has more resonance to me) -- Mr. Producer cannot touch that one!
Thanks to the original directors and to the original cast -- they created the first version which people still remember fondly to this day!
Posted: 7/13/19 at 11:50pm
Posted: 7/14/19 at 12:56am
I was fortunate to see the OBC right after it opened on Broadway. Had seats way up in the balcony that we bought from scalpers on the street. I might as well have been in the first row as the show, the music, and the voices filled the theatre. Truly life changing.
I’m not as bothered by the new production as others. At the time, spectacular motion scenery was very en vogue (always thought it odd when the barricade coming together got a round of applause and felt it took away from the moment).
I did catch the recent revival, using the new production, and it did feel smaller (the stage itself felt smaller - perhaps the Imperial Is a smaller theatre than the original?). Still, the music and performances were great and I enjoyed visiting an old friend.
Perhaps we should be glad it will continue to play in the West End. It is such an iconic show.
Updated On: 7/14/19 at 12:56 AM
Posted: 7/14/19 at 5:33am
Olivia11 said: "I was fortunate to see the OBC rightafter it opened on Broadway. Had seats way up in the balcony that we bought from scalpers on the street. I might as well have been in the first row as the show, the music, and the voices filled the theatre. Truly life changing.
I’m not as bothered by the new production as others. At the time, spectacular motion scenery was very en vogue (always thought it odd when the barricade coming together got a round of applause and felt it took away from the moment).
I did catch the recent revival, using the new production, and it did feel smaller (the stage itself felt smaller - perhaps the Imperial Is a smaller theatre than the original?). Still, the music and performances were great and I enjoyed visiting an old friend.
Perhaps we should be glad it will continue to play in the West End. It is such an iconic show."
For whatever it's worth, Les Miserables came to Broadway and played its first year or so at The Broadway theatre. When Miss Saigon came to Broadway, they moved Les Miserables to the Imperial so Saigon could take The Broadway. So, I doubt that the The Imperial is a smaller stage than the original because it was the home of the original for almost the entire original run of the show.
I didn't mind the revival, I just love the show. Maybe I was just jaded by the fact that I was glad that it was on Broadway again for a little bit. Though I will admit, there are things that I couldn't wrap my head around. Did they really need to project the name of the damn show right after Valjean tears up the ticket of leave? Is this a move or a show with a cold open? Do people not remember what show they are seeing/got a ticket to?
Posted: 7/14/19 at 6:54am
JBroadway said: "Call_me_jorge said: "If I’m not mistaken, the new production is wholly produced by Cameron Macintosh, while the original is a co production with RSC. So Cam will be getting more money with the new production."
I remember also reading speculation (potentially on this board - I don’t remember) that the director and designer royalties would also be quite a lot lower for the new production."
It is both the above exactly. It’s all about greed
Posted: 7/14/19 at 7:21am
The only thing I can potentially sympathise with is, would it have been financially unsustainable for the original production to continue? With those royalties & maintenance of that set. It couldn't have gone on forever? I don't know what the ticket sales have been like or the running costs to speak to this, though. Maybe a cheap carbon copy is better than no show at all.
Posted: 7/14/19 at 10:51am
While I'm a huge fan of the new production over the original, I still can't believe they're closing the original. What's more shocking is how they're burying the lead on Delfont's website, selling tickets through Spring 2020 and talking about the classic production, then throwing the New Production in December mention at the very bottom of the page. Maybe that'll change tomorrow when they update the website to reflect the name change of the venue to the Sondheim, but they're selling a lot of tickets these last few months under a falsehood.
Posted: 7/14/19 at 11:56am
Posted: 7/14/19 at 12:11pm
It's no wonder Mackintosh gave up on Martin Guerre and reviving the show as was reported a few years back. I was excited to see Martin Guerre have a new life but he's only interested in making money now. I completely understand greed, but I think there should be a balance between the financial and the passion for art. This whole debacle is just a shame.
