TheWickedWitchOfTheEast

Love the inclusion of some more minor musical moments, mostly the mention of Eponine’s little blue hat. Big fan of Eponine’s little blue hat.

I have notes about each individual performer (in no particular order) but firstly shout out to the female ensemble, they KILLED it and I can’t wait to hear their “Turning”

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Katie Hall has always been a star since I watched her as Cosette but god she was good as Fantine. Her emotions, her acting, her singing. She’s everything 🥹. I wasn’t even that distracted that they had to change the key (which I was worried would stand out). Such a tragic character and she does it so well.

Bradley Jaden as Javert is obviously great. I’ve heard good things about him since my aunt saw (and fell in love with) him live. I can see why now, he has this restraint in the way he sings which makes his Javert seem rather calculated and like he’s holding back when speaking other characters, and then during “Stars” he’s able to use the full power of his voice. It’s a really interesting character choice that I quite enjoy.

The Thénardiers are great and always have been. Love seeing an Australian actor (Marina Prior) in main stream theatre! They’re both so funny. Adam Gillen was the only actor in this I hadn’t heard prior to this album. He was a surprisingly charming, you know, for a Thénardier. Definitely a softer approach to the character than I’ve ever seen. I liked it.

Little Gavroche is adorable as always. He’s so British and so sweet. It’s amazing how they can have such big voices in such little bodies. (This applies to baby Cosette too)

I can’t with Marius and Eponine 💔 she loves him so bad guys. Gotta appreciate the return of Eponine’s Errand, though it’s not being called that anymore. Personally I like a sadder Eponine than what this actress (Shan Ako) brings, but theirs no denying she has a voice on her 😍

Controversially Killian Donnelly as Valjean hasn’t wowed me as much as it did for others, not that he’s not great, however I believe Alfie Boe has brain washed me into thinking all men should sound like that. I do quite like a man with a deep voice 😔

Going off a man with a deep voice, James D. Gish. While my aunt fell in love with Bradley Jaden, this is the man I feel for when I saw the arena tour. I’ve noticed the men in les mis have been singing higher and higher so I have to love them bringing it down again. I felt he was truely leading the group, rather than just talking to them.

Jac Yarrow didn’t wow me as Marius when I saw him live, and unfortunately isn’t wowing me here. Marius has never been a character I’m particularly fond of, and unless you’re Micheal Ball (or that one uncredited actor in the 1991 Paris recording), it’s hard to make me care for him. Though I did like how he got really big and the pulled back on “that is new, that is free” — sometimes less is more people. Love his interactions with Cosette though (more on that next paragraph).

Beatrice Penny-Touré as Cosette and the way her (and Killian) showed Cosette and Jean Valjean’s relationship. Love my Cosette and Valjean father/daughter relationship 😭. You can feel the kind of awkward energy when Marius and Cosette introduce each other and it’s just so sweet. They love each other so much but also neither knows how to talk to a person 🥹. More awkward Cosette’s and Marius’? Anyone? Like the harshness in his voice when he says “I am Marius Pontmercy” and you can hear her smiling at him when she responds. It’s everything. I’m a sucker for Marius/Cosette when done right.

I will say they do some weird things with the orchestration. Particularly in the opening number? Those drums were something that I’m not in love with. Not to mention some weird loud noise that played in either Lovely Ladies or At the End of the Day (I forget). Some of the songs, ABC Café / Red and Black I noticed in particular, went quite fast. I felt out of breath on behalf of the singers 😭😭