Les Mis Concerts

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 12/18/11 at 2:32am

I've never seen Les Mis, and I've always wanted to, and the current U.S. tour isn't coming near me.

Can anyone suggest what concert video (10th or 25th Anniversary) concert gives the best overall representation of the show? I've just seen the Phantom concert, and really enjoyed it. (Then again, I've seen the show before, and know the story.)

[06s091]

Posted: 12/18/11 at 4:41am

It depends on what you prefer.

10th anniversary:
AMAZING performances: It's called the Dreamcast for a reason: Colm Wilkinson, Philip Quast, Michael Ball, Lea Salonga, Alun Armstrong and many other amazing performances.
It's not a staged version like the Phantom one and some parts have been cut.

25th anniversary:
This one is more staged than the 10th and more complete(But still not as staged as the Phantom anniversary). BUT it suffers from some less-than-great performances. Alfie Boe, Lea Salonga and Ramin Karimloo are the highlights and at the other end of the scale there's Nick Jonas.

As a first time viewer I think you should choose the 25th anniversary. It's more complete and the fact that it's more staged will help you in understanding the story better.
But when you've done that, I highly recommend getting the 10th anniversary to witness those amazing performances. It's my favorite of the two, and it's much more emotional for me to watch. Updated On: 12/18/11 at 04:41 AM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/18/11 at 10:47am

I prefer the 25th, despite the presence of Nick Jonas. In fact, it's fun to watch him get taken to town during the encore when Michael Ball shows up to sing.

But overall, I enjoy the cast more on the 25th, particularly Alfie Boe. I know it's unpopular, but I've never "gotten" Colm Wilkinson, and have always found him and his voice to be boring, and extremely self-indulgent.

[michellek45]

Posted: 12/18/11 at 11:37am

My vote also goes for the 25th, even though Nick Jonas is horrible. Like adamgreer, I also dislike Colm Wilkinson's voice and find Alfie Boe's much better. But the main reason I would recommend it is because the 10th Anniversary still has remnants of the original orchestrations, which contain excessive amounts of synthesizers. The 25th has a much fuller sound, and almost all of the synthesizer parts have been replaced with acoustic instruments. It makes the whole score much more dramatic and beautiful.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 12/18/11 at 8:01pm

10th by far. If you have the chance, watch both, they're available on that site. The 25th also has new/different orchestrations.

[Justin D]

Posted: 12/19/11 at 11:40am

radical thought......watch both

[My Oh My]

Posted: 12/19/11 at 2:42pm

Yes. Watch both.

Watch the 10th anniversary first.

Then that other version.

[windbelle]

Posted: 12/19/11 at 2:56pm

The only one I really love out of the whole cast on 25th Anniversay Concert is Lea Salonga, contrary to that I enjoyed most of the cast on 10th one except Ruthie Henshall as Fantine. If you're limited to only one of them, my vote goes to 10th. But 25th is not bad for a newbie. After all, the 25th anniversary is better staged and shot.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/19/11 at 3:00pm

On the whole (minus JoBro), the 25th is a more organic, honest representation of the show, IMO. But go with whatever; no one will ever agree on this.

[IBelieve17]

Posted: 12/19/11 at 3:57pm

I grew up with the 10th so it'll always have a special place in my heart, but you really can't beat the production value of the 25th. And Norm Lewis's Javert is not to be missed!

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 12/19/11 at 4:44pm

I actually really like Elisabeth Barks as Eponine.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 12/19/11 at 4:59pm

*Samantha Barks.

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 12/19/11 at 5:06pm

Oh sorry, that was a dumb mistake especially when praising her.

[Pauly3]

Posted: 12/19/11 at 8:43pm

As others have said, I think both are worth owning. I actually think the 10th provides a bit more information to aid in understanding the story. In that version, they use title screens to accomplish this (not alot, but some). This version comes only in stereo or dolby digital 2.0. If going this route, look for the re-release dated 2008. It fits all performances on one disk, whereas previous releases have it all on one disk too - but you have to flip the disk in the middle (yes, really).

The 25th is bigger, brighter, louder and overall a better production. As well, they tend to act out the parts a bit more than they do in the 10th version which goes a ways in telling the story. The 25th comes in both DVD and Blu-ray flavors and has full Dolby Digital 5.1 surround (blu-ray has DTS too).

As for individual performances, I won't take the time to compare here - but that's a reason to buy both. You get to experience many excellent performances and decide for yourself who you like best.

And if you're a fan of Lea Salonga's, then either version will delight you (she's in both). But she plays different roles.....all the more reason to buy both.

[Phan#24601]

Posted: 12/19/11 at 9:04pm

Both are good, but the 10th Anniversary Concert is OUTSTANDING! Nick Jonas really ruined the 25th Anniversary Concert for me, but the rest of the performances were very well done for that one.

[My Oh My]

Posted: 12/19/11 at 9:05pm

Lizzie is right. We will never agree on which is better. I hold the same opinion, only in reverse. :)

I think Pauly3 said it best and is representative of what most fans would ultimately do--get both. I still say watch the more honest one first, lol.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 12/20/11 at 12:02am

I think the biggest thing here is that, I don't know the story too well, and I can't see a staged version anywhere near. Therefore, my other option was the concerts. I extend to watch both, but its more of a question as to which one will help me understand the story better.

And, Lizzie is right. When has everyone agreed on something on here!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/20/11 at 12:17am

Read the synopsis first.

Pick a concert at random.

You'll be fine.

[light_in_the_dark2]

Posted: 12/20/11 at 12:52am

I personally just love the 10th. It is one of my favorite recordings that I listen to over and over again. I love Ruthie's fantine. I love the purity and emotion in her voice. I love lea salonga's eponine. I really like Colm as valjean. Javert is incredible. It's just so enjoyable. I haven't heard the 25th nearly as much but other than Nick Jonas, there are some really good performances (I thought Salonga's Fantine was great too). You'll enjoy either but, personally, I always go back to the 10th :)

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 12/20/11 at 2:23am

Neither is a perfect representation of the show. The 10th anniversary concert is less staged than the 25th anniversary concert. The 25th is also better filmed. The casts of each have strong and weak performances. The 25th has a mediocre Marius and Thenardier. The 10th has the annoying voice of Colm Wilkinson as Valjean. Ultimately, for a newbie, I'd choose the 25th anniversary cast.

[sueb1863]

Posted: 12/20/11 at 8:39pm

I'd say definitely find a show synopsis and read that before watching a concert. It should be available on the internet. Programs for the show include it, because the story moves pretty fast and it's not hard to get lost.

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 12/21/11 at 11:29am

I'm with the people who say watch both, because both are quite different but very good. The 25th was actually my first experience with Les Mis (I saw the tour for the first time a few months later), and I would agree that the more extensive staging does make it easier to follow for a newcomer. Personally, I preferred Alfie Boe's Valjean to Colm Wilkinson. The main weakness of the 25th is, of course, Nick Jonas's Marius- which becomes even more painfully obvious when he has to sing immediately following Ramin Karimloo's epic Enjolras. So I'd go with the 25th for the first time, but watch the 10th too.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 12/21/11 at 8:51pm

I recommend both. There are more cuts to the songs in the 25th Anniversary concert as mandated by Cameron Mackintosh to shave off 15 minutes or so from the show compared to the 10th Anniversary but both are great concerts.

Production values wise, the lighting kinda blows for the 10th Anniversary compared to the 25th. The 25th does give you more of the recitative stuff but the MAJOR downside to the 25th Anniversary is Nick Jonas attempting and failing to sing Marius as many others have already pointed out.

It was so irritating to see him try to sing alongside folks like Alfie Boe, who is now my favorite Valjean, Norm Lewis and Lea Salonga. I just laugh when during the encores, Michael Ball and his usual hammy self sang Marius's lines in "One Day More," totally schooling Nick Jonas in the process.