Posts with the label les mis
Showing posts with label les mis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label les mis. Show all posts

Friday 11 February 2022

New Production Images Released For Les Miserables UK & Ireland Tour 2022

New images have been released of the Les Miserables UK and Ireland Tour.  

Les Miserables is currently performing in Dublin before visiting Southampton, Salford, Milton Keynes, Plymouth, Hull, Bristol, Birmingham, Norwich, Canterbury, Sunderland, Leeds and Cardiff. 
 
The tour stars Dean Chisnall as Jean Valjean, Nic Greenshields as Javert, Katie Hall as Fantine, Ian Hughes as Thénardier, Will Callan as Marius, Nathania Ong as Eponine, Helen Walsh as Madame Thénardier, Samuel Wyn Morris as Enjolras and Paige Blankson as Cosette.
 
The cast is completed by George Arvidson, Aidan Banyard, Will Barratt, Adam Boardman, Rebecca Bolton, Emily Olive Boyd, Olivia Brereton, Earl Carpenter, Harry Chandler, Rebecca Ferrin, Aimee Good, Steven Hall, Jenna Innes, Tessa Kadler, Damian Kneale, Caleb Lagayan, Abel Law, Joseph McDonnell, Zabrina Norry, Emily Owens, Jordan Simon Pollard, Jamie Pritchard, Dean Read and Rebecca Ridout.
 

photo credit: Danny Kaan

Les Miserables UK and Ireland Tour 2022

Les Miserables UK and Ireland Tour 2022
photos by Danny Kaan

Les Miserables UK and Ireland Tour 2022

Dean Chisnall 'Jean Valjean'.

Les Miserables UK and Ireland Tour 2022

Ian Huges 'Thenardier' and Helen Walsh 'Madame Thenardier'.

Les Miserables UK and Ireland Tour 2022

Nic Greenshields 'Javert'.

Les Miserables UK and Ireland Tour 2022

Will Callan 'Marius'.


New Production Images Released For Les Miserables UK & Ireland Tour 2022

Friday 11 February 2022

Friday 8 December 2017

The Barricade Boys: Christmas Cabaret, The Other Palace Studio | Review


The Barricade Boys: Christmas Cabaret (Concert) 
The Other Palace Studio
Reviewed on Thursday 7th December 2017 by Olivia Mitchell 
★★★★★

The Barricade Boys bring together some of the finest Lew Miserables alumni (Scott Garnham, Craig Mather, Kieran Brown, Simon Schofield) and finest male voices to create truly beautiful sounds and performances. The boys have toured extensively and appeared on a number of television programmes but this time they're back for a three week-residency of Christmas delights at The Other Palace. 

I've really been getting into the Christmas spirit recently with a number of festive shows and this was certainly one of the best. Entering the studio of The Other Palace we are greeted with a beautifully adorned Christmas tree and a cosy log fire projected onto the wall which sets the mood for the relaxed, warm evening to come. The boys normally perform with a seven-piece band but this time opt for a "stripped back" performance with just them and the piano (played fantastically by musical director, Noam Galperin) which further adds to the intimate feeling of the night.

The set of 23 songs was varied and extremely well put together with a mixture of festive favourites, Les Mis hits and some more unexpected songs. Standout moments included I'll Be Home For Christmas/Bring Him Home and Man In The Mirror which both featured tight harmonies and wonderful interaction between the boys. Their rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody must get a special mention as it was done so well; with suitable emotion and humour to keep it entertaining and amusing, whilst maintaining the integrity and showing off everyone's unique voices.

When speaking about the goals of the group, Scott explained that they take the work very seriously but not themselves and this is exactly right. The music was faultless but made all the better by the brilliant on stage interactions where the boys bounced off one another and seemed to genuinely be having fun.

Each night a special West End star will join the boys on stage, this particular night we had the pleasure of seeing the supremely talented Michael Xavier. He performed a haunting, melancholy version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas before the boys joined him for a side splitting, Les Mis version of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Michael was a lovely addition to the programme and the number of amazing guests set to appear, certainly makes me want to go back to another concert in the run.

This pitch perfect ensemble with stand out solo moments and smooth, natural, humourous on stage rapport is all you could ask for at Christmas time. For a festive, lighthearted evening of  top notch entertainment, you can't go wrong with The Barricade Boys and I would high recommend paying them a visit during their run!

The Barricade Boys are at The Other Palace until December 23rd

The Barricade Boys: Christmas Cabaret, The Other Palace Studio | Review

Friday 8 December 2017

Sunday 21 May 2017

Samantha Barks, Mayflower Theatre | Review


Samantha Barks with Kerry Ellis
Mayflower Theatre
Reviewed on Saturday May 20th 2017 by Mary Schofield
★★

The Mayflower is a fantastic venue located in the heart of Southampton, I have visited it frequently over the past two years that I have been at University and it's brilliant that such a wonderful theatre is on my doorstep. The venue is often visited by West End shows on their UK tours and seats a capacity of 2,300 people.

Despite the large capacity of the theatre the performance itself felt intimate as Samantha Barks (first discovered on I'd Do Anything and known for her recent appearances in: Les Miserables, The Last Five Years, Oliver and most recently her films Bitter Harvest and Interlude in Prague) took us on a nostalgic journey down memory lane. She sung a collection of songs from her new album including: “When He Loved Me” and “If I Die Young” as well as a gorgeous cover of "Blackbird" by The Beatles. Sam also shared with us a spectacular performance from The Last Five Years, “I Can Do Better Than That” which she wrapped in the St James Theatre (now The Other Palace) last December. Unfortunately I wasn’t lucky enough to see this in the theatre but the film version will have to help ease my new musical obsession!

Samantha's special guest for this one off concert event was the wonderful Kerry Ellis (known for her appearances in Wicked and currently on tour with the production Wonderland). Her set consisted of performances from both Wonderland and We Will Rock You. Ellis really showed off her unique, rocky voice and was a perfect complement to Barks.

The highlight of the evening was definitely when both ladies joined together for a wonderful duet of "For Good" from Wicked. Samantha went on to explain that this performance was one that she previously had on her bucket list, making the occasion even more special. You truly missed a magical moment if you weren't there! The evening was rounded up with a throwback to Les Mis with “On My Own”, bringing tears to every member of the audience and showing the power of Samantha's stage presence.

The only thing that upset me about the event was the timings; I would have been more than happy to listen to Barks sing for another 3 hours! This was a fantastic concert with two powerhouses of musical theatre joining together for a fabulous evening of entertainment. Hopefully this isn't the last of the pairing we see and I can't wait to see Samantha perform again- fingers crossed for another stint on a West End stage! 

Samantha Barks, Mayflower Theatre | Review

Sunday 21 May 2017