For those that saw the national tour or saw in in England.
I've always thought that Betrande was really the main character, although it could be both Arnaud and Betrande. Martin really comes third...anyway, anyone know?
In the US tour, the LA version at least, the bows went: Martin, Arnauld and lastly, Bertrande. I thought that was refreshing since if the stage time is even (or close enough), the final bow doesn't usually go to the woman.
Hmmm... maybe it was the actress I saw playing Bertrande but she barely registered for me. I hardly remember a thing about her performance. Although I loved Buntrock and Panaro and even Llana in his small role. I saw Hunter Foster play Panaro's role later on in the run, and he was miscast, imo.
Do people appreciate this show as much as Les Miserables (or even Miss Siagon). I have only heard the recordings (mostly the 1995 one, although I do know some of the added songs for the later recording) and I think it's actually quite enjoyable.
I happen to really enjoy the cast recordings for this show (I have both the London 1996 one and the re-worked 1999 album. Pity the US version was not recorded.) I did not actually see the show, so I am just going by the album. I know that when I saw The Pirate Queen I noticed many themes that were identical to songs on the 1999 album.
I posted this on the West End board, but just in case anyone else is interested, there's a review of the new actor/musician production at the Watermill Theatre at the link below. Sounds like they've taken more from the final London production than the much-revised tour... http://www.lilyrose.org/reviews/mgwatermill.html