Les Misérables - A New "Spin" on the Costumes/Sets

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/1/05 at 11:49pm

Les Misérables - Bídníci

The show has been opened in the Czech Republic for a while. I just (today) finally recieved the Czech version of the show (my 15th Recording). It is complete and live. It is basically (art and all) like the CSR but in Czech and the occasional clap - even though the quality is magnifique!

It is sort of strange because different actors play the different roles throughout the show. I think there may be 3 Javert's listed - 2 Valjeans, etc.

Anyway, my av is the Thenardier costume from the Czech show (obviously).

I thought a lot of the costumes, however, were very unique. This version uses VERY different styles. The Thenardiers' costumes during Beggars at the Feast are even funnier than on Broadway.

Check them out here:

http://www.bidnici.tiscali.cz/gallery/default.asp?gallery_id=15&lang=1

A few:

Updated On: 5/2/05 at 11:49 PM

[Delphine]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:29am

Who are the two in the fourth picture? Marius and Eponine?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:35am

Yep.

I have the souvenir brochure from that production. Pretty scary.

[Delphine]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:40am

Thank you!

Did you see the show, or purchase the program online?

[LariTheLoud]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:53am

WHERE HAVE JAVERT'S MUTTONCHOPS GONE?

*deeply saddened*

(That, and the blatant mic taped to his forehead scares me)

Updated On: 5/2/05 at 01:53 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:11am

"Thank you!

Did you see the show, or purchase the program online?"

Neither, actually -- a friend of mine saw the show there and at the end of the trip, was trying to use the last of her currency, so she bought an extra brochure knowing she could ask a friend back home if they wanted an extra. Was I going to pass that up?!

[musicnmath]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:15am

Someone on another thread mentioned that there are two recordings. Is yours the recording with Lucie Bila as Eponine and Jesse Webb as one of the Javerts? Czech is a very difficult language to pronounce -- Jesse is American and didn't speak any Czech but learned the whole score just by the sounds. Very impressive. I'm not recognizing him from the pics though... If yours is a different one, what year was it recorded and where did you get it? :)

I lived in Prague for 4 years and got to see the (first?) production. I saw it before I saw Les Mis in English, actually! They also did a most excellent production of JCSuperstar which I cherish and prefer to the one(s) in English

Thanks for bringing up this happy memory.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:42am

Thenardier, if I weren't saying this to you online I would kiss you!! Those pics are kick ass!

Any more of Eponine?

[RockyRoad]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:58am

Thanks for the pics.

Some interesting choices. I like the original designs better.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 3:12am

"Any more of Eponine?"

This one was posted to Phantomfans.net with the caption "Czech Idol Eponine." It's quite fitting.
click here

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:38pm

Yes, that's the Eponine - Leona Machálková - who sing "On My Own" on the recording - http://www.leonamachalkova.cz/

(There's a different one in One Day More, a third in On My Own, the one in ODM sings in the finally)

As for Javert: Josef Štágr - He plays Javert until "The Robbery"
Then Javert is Tomáš Bartůněk for that one scene. Stars is sung by Daniel Hůlka. Then Tomáš Bartůněk returns for "One Day More." Javert at the Barricade is Daniel Hůlka. Then "Javert's Suicide" is sung by Tomáš Bartůněk.

The Recording is officially called: "Les Misérables - Bídníci: 3 CD Komplet (Original Prague Cast Live Recording)"

There are more pictures of Éponine on the site (link in the first post).

Updated On: 5/2/05 at 01:38 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:50pm

I vaguely remember from the VHS of Les Miserables: Stage by Stage there was a European production that took place in an amphitheatre. It was the first production with entirely different staging including a huge scaffolding with sliding stone walls. I thought it was in Prague, but I could be wrong. Does this ring any bells?

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 1:56pm

Its really nice to see a different interpretation. I saw a school version of Les Mis, and they basically had the typical Broadway costumes. The different designs are great:)

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:00pm

It may have been Sweden...(???)

(Digne)

(I Dreamed a Dream)
(Rue Plumet)
(Paris)
(Paris)
(The Factory)
(I love this one - The Sewers)
(Paris)

The staging and set looks very different. Some more pics on lesmis.com

I know the Israeli version had an EXTREMELY ANNOYING narrator throughout the show.

Thenardier: But first, you pay............
Narrator: Marius pays.

(No joke!)

Updated On: 5/2/05 at 02:00 PM

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:08pm

Interesting. I like the new spin on the costumes. They're different, but not so removed from the time period that they're distracting. Now, if they had decided to costume them in modern day wear, I'd be pissed...

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:09pm

I agree.

I just find the Beggars at the Feast costume very funny.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:12pm

That sewers pic is amazing.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:15pm

wow--those are some great designs!!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 2:17pm

Matt -- I thought that production was in Budapest, but its been a long time since I saw that video -- I could be wrong.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 3:11pm

The production with the spirally set for the sewer scene was several years ago in Karlstad, Sweden. Apparently Thenardier picked up a head out of the water. And there was real water.
More info on Les Miz in Karlstad

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 3:31pm

so they do not use the turn table in every production? Or do they? from the pics it didnt look like that set could rotate. I thought the turntable was like a staple of lez mis productions.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 3:43pm

It's a staple in the Cameron Mackintosh staging, which neither Prague nor Karlstad used.

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 5:20pm

I feel SO ignorint for saying this because I dont know the charater names that well. The blond hair girl looks SO MUCH like Paris Hilton in a few of those pic.s! Well, just not so orange, like Paris.lol!

[Thenardier]

Posted: 5/7/05 at 3:17pm

HAHA, Fosse.

She was a Czech Idol I believe - great voice. Great Eponine.

No, actually in an interview Cameron Mackintosh said one of his favorite productions of Les Mis did not involve a turn table. I don't think he said which (or I don't remember).

[Thenardier]

Posted: 6/17/05 at 12:18am

SHAMELESSLY I DO THIS!