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We went to see the 25th anniversary tour production at the Lowry on Saturday. It’s so long since I have seen the London production that I can’t really comment on the changes in this new staging but dh says that they’ve “padded out the bits between the songs” a bit more and made the narrative flow better as a result. He reckoned that Gavroche had lost some lines he sings. Also the ballroom scene at Cosette and Marius’ wedding had been extended and was funnier. Don’t know what else

From my perspective I enjoyed the whole thing much more than last time, without being able to put my finger on why. The smaller ensemble only just created enough volume, but that’s always the problem in the provinces they keep it thin! Bbut John Owen-Jones as Valjean is PHENOMENAL! Apparently he has been voted best Valjean ever in an “online worldwide poll of Les Mis fans”, and you can see why. He takes the character from relative youth in prison, through to his death in old age with powerful and emotional acting. His voice displays an equally amazing range ; how he can manage such perfect quality and tone and with nuance when he has to sing such an enormous range (and quantity) is beyond me. If you get a chance to hear his Valjean then GO!

We enjoyed Earl Carpenter’s Javert, and Rosalind James as Eponine. We felt Jon Robyns, playing Enjolras, (instead of his previous normal role as Marius in London) has more stage presence than Gareth Gates' Marius. Gareth’s voice was lovely, but could have done with more volume at times, and his acting didn’t project to us (in the Gods!) all the time.

The young Cosette sang Castle on a Cloud beautifully If anyone knows who Gavroche was on Saturday night then please pass on our congratulations. He had humour, stage presence, an excellent speaking voice and singing voice and looked totally confident on that stage. Very talented I suspect he’s being playing the role for a while, maybe just back from Paris?

This was a sell out performance (we got our tickets in Feb and had to settle for the last but one row in the Gods!), and it earned a standing ovation. I’m sure the Barbican performances are nearly sold out, but do go if you can get a ticket. It will be interesting to see if some of the changes make it through to the permanent London show.

I am a massive JOJ fan I think he has a wonderful voice, such a lyrical tenor with a huge, seemingingly effortless, range.

I'd never heard of "JOJ" before before but I'm a fan now. Planning on getting the 25th anniversary Les Mis concert album now; just to hear his singing of it again

He is a "local" boy, so very wel known araound here

There's lots of good stuff of his on youtube as well if you want to check them out. And his album is excellent as well.

Thanks WM. I've had a happy hour listening to JOJ on youtube this afternoon, ordered the 25th anniversary tour CD and pondered ordering his album....maybe a Christmas wishlist item Thanks again

Have seen Les Mis about 6 times and agree JOJ is the best I've seen in that part. I saw it 25 years ago when Michael Ball was Marius and he's still my favourite in that part.

Gavroche doesn't sing "little people" any more. My ds practiced this just in case but was told at the audition Gavroche no longer sings it.

flic wrote:
Gavroche doesn't sing "little people" any more. My ds practiced this just in case but was told at the audition Gavroche no longer sings it.

So is it out of the London production as well? Shows how long ago it is since I saw it in the West End; and the OCD has it on, so I just assumed it was still in

I wish I could have seen Michael Ball as Marius

I have never seen MB as Marius, but he is on my cd and agree he sounds amazing. Howver, I went along to see gareth Gates feeling quite negative, expetcing him to be rubbish and was impressed by how good he was. Not in same league as MB, but very good nonetheless.

Hecouldshine wrote:

flic wrote:Gavroche doesn't sing "little people" any more. My ds practiced this just in case but was told at the audition Gavroche no longer sings it.

So is it out of the London production as well? Shows how long ago it is since I saw it in the West End; and the OCD has it on, so I just assumed it was still in

He doesn't sing the song in full but more like snippets from it!!!!

My daughter is .doing 3 shows as Cosette at the Barbican and then she is doing the O2 show. Very excited

Wow !!!!! What a fantastic experience, you must be over the moon and a BIG WELL DONE to your dd to your 4ft 4ins little dd. Tootsweets dd did the Paris Tour she had an amazing time. Do you know if all the previous cast including the Paris ones are invited to the O2 I am sure I read somewhere they are ? Well done again thrilled for you both.

No...no idea....xx My dd has been Cosette and eponine in London...she loved it...left around a year ago..she has just finished the Chitty Tour xx

oliveral wrote:My daughter is .doing 3 shows as Cosette at the Barbican and then she is doing the O2 show. Very excited

Congratulations to your dd oliveral. It should be wonderful. I'm playing the OCR for this 25th anniversary tour production over and over. Wish I could come down to see it again!

going to watch it on Thursday..very excited!! Love Les Mis...tis my fav!!

We've got tickets to see the O2 LIVE show at our local Vue cinema on Sunday 3rd October.

Tickets are selling out fast so for those of you who can't make it to the O2 there are lots of Vue cinemas nationwide who are selling tickets.

It's a much cheaper option.

Really can't wait to see it . . . . again.

Dawn .x.