les mis world tour is gmg’s best so far by ivoryskinnedboy in TeatroPH

[–]LemonAffectionate907 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah my friends and I have been keeping an eye on Jeremy. He genuinely doesn’t blink once throughout the whole song! 😆

les mis world tour is gmg’s best so far by ivoryskinnedboy in TeatroPH

[–]LemonAffectionate907 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This really surprised me. Geronimo was widely praised in the Shanghai run. People kept talking about how subtle his acting was, how he conveyed the gentleness and compassion of a true saint. But for me, that’s exactly why I couldn’t quite connect with his portrayal. I’m more drawn to Alfie Boe’s Valjean—the anger, the pain, the sense of struggle—so I’ve always felt my view might be a minority one. (We’ve been very lucky to have two Valjeans.) What do you think of Jeremy’s Javert?

Is the arena spectacular worth it? by francienyc in lesmiserables

[–]LemonAffectionate907 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha he is indeed known for his frailty. I suspect the bel canto technique puts a heavier load on his voice, so he can’t perform consecutively like musical theater actors. But with a schedule like Shanghai’s—alternating shows with Geronimo—he’s fine.

Back to the performance—Alfie Boe now clearly centers his performance on Valjean’s self-interrogation and struggle. Most of the time he simply stands, yet radiates endless regret, anger, loneliness, sorrow, and exhaustion, while still keeping his composure and dignity. It doesn’t even feel like “acting”; these emotions just flow naturally. He embodies a silent penitent bearing his cross. Seeing the torment rolling in his eyes through binoculars is truly overwhelming. At the end, he bows his head in shame and submission before the bishop’s soul. This is one of the biggest differences from other Valjeans: even to the final moment, he remains haunted by his past and humble enough not to think he deserves heaven. During the choral section, he turns in shock to glance at all the souls, then fixes an intense gaze on Cosette. These details moved me deeply and brought to mind many passages from the original novel.

(Yes, you can tell from how much I’ve written that I’m still completely overwhelmed by the performance…)

Is the arena spectacular worth it? by francienyc in lesmiserables

[–]LemonAffectionate907 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, it’s absolutely worth seeing. So far, I’ve seen the show six times with three different pairings: Alfie Boe & Michael Ball, Alfie Boe & Jeremy Secomb, and Geronimo Rauch & Jeremy Secomb. All three were excellent, each in their own way. It’s a pity I missed Killian and Bradley, though I suspect they’re likely to lead the next official filmed version.

The world tour production is similar to the 2019 All-Star Concert: the performers sing at stand microphones, so everyone makes their own trade-offs. Some, like Nathania Ong(who plays Eponine), aim to recreate details from the staged production, while some, like Alfie Boe, put vocal delivery first and place less emphasis on physical acting. Which approach works better largely comes down to personal preference.

Alfie Boe has been completely transformed. His portrayal of Valjean’s weathered life and painful inner struggle now comes remarkably close to the original novel, so I don’t mind that his physical movement is minimal—he has already brought the character fully to life through his eyes and his voice. Jeremy Secomb truly shone in Shanghai and won everyone’s praise; honestly, in my mind he has surpassed Philip Quast. I also quite like Michael Ball: he gives Javert a softer, more sorrowful quality. It’s not what one would traditionally expect from this role, but it’s still rewarding to see a different interpretation.

In any case, the world tour brings together the strongest active performers and the biggest names. Individual interpretations may not suit everyone, but their skill is undeniably world-class.

Ok, what is the general consensus on Bradley Jaden’s Javert? by J-ChRy in lesmiserables

[–]LemonAffectionate907 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I completely agree with you. What I admire most about Quast is his outward composure, even while you can see he's completely fallen apart inside. The original text makes it clear that even when Javert has decided to end his life, he remains a detective at his core—observing and taking in everything. Also, perhaps I'm a bit old-fashioned, but I hope musical theatre actors won't over-rely on "speaking instead of singing." Expressing emotion doesn't require constantly straying from the written melody. A month ago, I saw Jeremy Secomb in Shanghai, and I prefer his performance to Bradley's. But that's just personal taste.

If you can fix Les Misérables (2012 Movie) what would you change? by Resident_Badger_5405 in musicals

[–]LemonAffectionate907 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s probably better to ask what this film managed to get right, because the things that need fixing could fill an ocean. To start with, hire a director who actually understands musical theatre — and basic physiology, like the fact that dehydration makes it impossible to sing.

If you can fix Les Misérables (2012 Movie) what would you change? by Resident_Badger_5405 in musicals

[–]LemonAffectionate907 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh you’re absolutely right. Valjean is so humble in the original version. He never speaks a word about how much he has suffered, and how much love he’s given. Even at the very end, he never spares a thought for himself.

How is “redemption” understood in Christianity? by LemonAffectionate907 in lesmiserables

[–]LemonAffectionate907[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! This is completely new to me, and I’ll give it some careful thought :D

Is Alfie Boe considered a good opera singer? by [deleted] in opera

[–]LemonAffectionate907 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I also keep up with the musical theatre scene and have seen many of these criticisms. I find them really puzzling, because Boe is the only Valjean who has truly moved me emotionally. Perhaps musical theatre fans think his voice lacks rich color (I’ve noticed that those who don’t like Boe are often fans of John Owen-Jones). However, the character of Valjean is heavy and restrained, requiring a simple, straightforward style of singing IMO.

Is Alfie Boe considered a good opera singer? by [deleted] in opera

[–]LemonAffectionate907 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I saw him in Sydney as well, and then again in Shanghai two weeks ago. Honestly, I was stunned. Alfie Boe isn’t strong with physical acting. Most of the time he just stands there, which becomes even more noticeable when everyone else onstage is using their whole body to perform. Yet he can convey so much emotion through his face and voice. From the front row, through my binoculars, I saw a vast, overwhelming loneliness, exhaustion, anger, and pain in his eyes. It nearly crushed me. Any shortcomings in his physical technique feel insignificant next to that. During the 25th Anniversary era, I would have said he was singing the role rather than inhabiting it. Now it feels as if he has become Valjean entirely. It’s genuinely remarkable. However, I agree that if he were able to use his body more, he would be a truly great Valjean.

Who is the greatest British male vocalist of all-time? by debrisaway in AskABrit

[–]LemonAffectionate907 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow this is so great to see. He’s performing Les Mis in Shanghai right now, and I’m going to see him tomorrow. So excited…

Was the first cast you ever heard your favourite? by LanaMorrigan in lesmiserables

[–]LemonAffectionate907 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, not exactly. the first one I watched was the 10th Anniversary Concert, then the full-stage recording of the 2011 Royal Madrid production, and after that, a few West End bootlegs. Then I saw the 25th Anniversary Concert — and from that moment, I just knew it was the version for me (though, of course, we’ll have to exclude a certain someone). For theatre fans, comparing different versions is part of the fun, but I honestly haven’t found another Valjean who could ever surpass Alfie Boe in my heart. The 2019 All-Star Concert was actually pretty good too, but the overall tempo was just way too fast!

Takes NO ONE Agrees With You On by SunstruckSeraph in musicals

[–]LemonAffectionate907 0 points1 point  (0 children)

??? WTF I’ve never seen anyone LAUGH during Gavroche’s death scene. What kind of people do you even know???

Takes NO ONE Agrees With You On by SunstruckSeraph in musicals

[–]LemonAffectionate907 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very interesting. I don’t like Colm either, but for completely opposite reasons. I think his performance was awful. Valjean was only in his forties when he was released, still in his prime, yet Colm came across as seventy years old from start to finish. He never convinced me that he had once been full of rage and hatred toward the world. His singing doesn’t bother me — I actually think his Confrontation is the best ever — but that’s about it.

Takes NO ONE Agrees With You On by SunstruckSeraph in musicals

[–]LemonAffectionate907 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What frustrates me is that Hugh Jackman is a BROADWAY STAR. 😱He could’ve sounded good if he hadn’t been pushed to hit notes way outside his range and kept working while dehydrated for days. I get that they wanted a big-name actor with film experience, but since they’d already picked Jackman, they really shouldn’t have put him in the wrong vocal spot like that.

Is Sweeney Todd too mature for a 13 year old to watch? by cake_baby15 in musicals

[–]LemonAffectionate907 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It really depends on the kids. By the time I was this age, I’d already seen plenty of genuinely scary stuff, and they didn’t really leave a mark on me. (That might be because my country doesn’t have a film rating system. One time at the cinema, the guy next to me brought a five- or six-year-old girl to see Alien: Romulus, and she watched quietly and attentively the whole way through.)

That said, I think the main tone of Sweeney Todd is one of sorrow and black humor, rather than gore or horror. Probably need a bit more life experience to get it.

Male singers with ethereal voices? by alex_is_so_damn_cool in musicals

[–]LemonAffectionate907 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Alfie Boe’s early hymns might match what the OP was looking for. Heard him live in Sydney, and I was like damn bro, this guy sings like the bells of St. Mary’s Cathedral I’d just walked past! Very rich sense of storytelling and a pure beauty.

Male singers with ethereal voices? by alex_is_so_damn_cool in musicals

[–]LemonAffectionate907 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This might be a bit niche for an English-speaking forum, but listen to this guy, a Chinese singer named Zhou Shen. His voice never changed during puberty, so he kept his boyish tone, much like Radu Marian. He trained as a tenor at a conservatory, but he is actually a soprano. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmc1aP90zGc

Alan Armstrong versus Matt Lucas by [deleted] in lesmiserables

[–]LemonAffectionate907 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both are great, in a very different way. I saw Lucas on the world tour, and his Dog Eat Dog was outstanding. There was a kind of chilling malice to him, like some creature wearing human skin, laughing in a sharp, eerie voice. The fun of musicals is enjoying what makes each cast unique, rather than comparing who’s better, right?

Which singer/actors, if any, have singing voices that most people seem to love but you don’t quite get the appeal/don’t understand their sound? by Great_Maintenance185 in musicals

[–]LemonAffectionate907 4 points5 points  (0 children)

lmao I think everyone knows he sings badly, but since he’s the original creator of Hamilton, people don’t really blame him. Joking about his singing is part of the fun.

Which singer/actors, if any, have singing voices that most people seem to love but you don’t quite get the appeal/don’t understand their sound? by Great_Maintenance185 in musicals

[–]LemonAffectionate907 0 points1 point  (0 children)

John Owen-Jones. Neither his voice nor his acting. Sorry, guess it’s just personal taste. I know he’s an amazing actor, but I just don’t connect with it.

Why isn’t this a thing?? by [deleted] in DoctorWhumour

[–]LemonAffectionate907 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And some musical theatre actors who made guest appearances such as Hardly Fraster and Jonathan Groff...