Les Miserables – the movie!

Les Mis at The Leeds Light Vue

Me seeing Les Mis for the 2nd time!

Waiting in Anticipation?

I waited in anticipation for Les Miserables to be released in UK cinemas on the 11th January 2013.  I wasn’t happy about other countries such as the USA and Australia having the movie before the UK.  After all quite a lot of the filming had been done in our country and Europe!  I persevered the spoilers the US fans posted on Twitter and friends who personally told me about the movie.

Despite the feelings I have to say it was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.  I was impressed how Tom Hooper directed the movie.  He is certainly a very talented director I’ll look out for future movies directed by him.  He knows how the musical ticks and both the scenes and musical numbers were of the perfect co-ordination and choreography!

This is strictly an analysis of what my thoughts of the movie are and not a descriptive account.  Many of my friends have seen Les Miserables on stage and already know the story and synopsis.  There is no need to repeat this and I highly recommend seeing either the musical on stage or the movie if anyone hasn’t yet seen it.  It’s a musical where you’ll have to form your judgement and opinions from firsthand experience and not through hearsay!

Here is a summary of my thoughts (Please note these are subjective).  The most outstanding performance that stood out for me was Anne Hathaway (Fantine) and Hugh Jackman (Valjean).  I was especially moved by Anne Hathaway’s Fantine when she sang ‘I Dreamed A Dream’.  I love the overall performance of Hugh Jackman and his talented acting and singing made the role of Jean Valjean perfect.

As for Russell Crowe, his singing didn’t impress me and I felt he was talking through the music than singing!  However I loved his acting and his presence in the movie was perfect for Javert.  I also loved Samantha Barks (Eponine), Eddie Redmayne (Marius) and Aaron Tveit (Enjolras).  I wasn’t moved much by Amanda Seyfried (Cosette) I’m afraid to say.  I’m not keen on the role of Cosette in the musical generally so maybe this could be the reason why I feel the way I do about Amanda’s portrayal.  I don’t know.  I loved it when Samantha Barks sang ‘On My Own’ where I was moved emotively by Eponine’s feelings and desires about her life journey and Marius.  

It was nice to see a number of notable West End Performers starring in the movie such as Colm Wilkinson (Bishop of Digne) and Killian Donnelly (Combeferre).  

It was great to learn that the movie itself, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway have won Golden Globes Awards on the 13^th January 2013.  My conclusion on the movie: Wow! Great movie with great casting!

Regular visitor to the movie?

I made a second trip to the movie the following week (18th January 2013) and took my friend, Debbie, with me.  I was even more moved than the first time!  I managed to spot Fra Fre (Courfeyrac) and Hadley Fraser (Army General of the National Guard) on this occasion. Next time, I will try and look out for more musical theatre performers!  Debbie and I were crying at different stages during the movie.  We were so emotional after ths show that we had pop in the nearby Cafe Rouge for some red wine so we can be calme and composed for making our journey homes haha! What a good start to 2013 so far! Here is more visits to the Les Miserables movie!

Debbie and I having after movie drinks! Perfect!

Please feel free to share any thoughts with me about the movie whether you have seen it or if you’re planning to see it.  I’ve tried to make the movie review spoiler free as possible so this is why I’ve not mentioned how the musical is arranged in the movie and not go into any detail of what exactly happens!

London Start to 2013

Covent Gardens, London

Trafalgar Squure, London

The National Gallery, London

A Fountain at Trafalgar Square, London

I travelled down to London with mixed emotions after having a rubbish New Year.  I was anxious to begin 2013 with something I enjoy doing! I can't think of anything more pleasurable than seeing The Phantom of the Opera, my first show of 2013!  It couldn't be any better! I also booked to see Chariots of Fire which worked out well because I booked it on the day the production closed. The producers moved the closure date forward which meant the 5th January 2013 was the last day of the production.  I considered myself lucky or I would have left it too late.

Marcus Lovett and Sofia Escober in the Production Posters, Her Majesty;s Theatre

The Phantom of the Opera

After experimenting with my new camera around Trafalgar Square and Her Majesty's Theatre I made my 54th visit to Phantom on the first evening.  I was happy and very relieved to see Marcus Lovett performing this evening as the Phantom after having been intrigued with his portrayal and him as a person for so long.  We had Sofia Escobar as Christine and Simon Thomas as Raoul.  Lara Martin was ill so we had Nicola Rutherford as the understudy for Carlotta and who I enjoyed.  I was especially looking forward to seeing Marcus!

I was amazed with Marcus as the Phantom! The emotive and human interpretation he puts in the role amazes me! His performance throughout was mind blowing and is now my very favourite Phantom! I thoroughly enjoyed Sofia as Christine and she was the best I've seen her perform and also enjoyed the wonderful current cast.  

As usual I went to Stage Door and managed to briefly chat with Si Shorten (Swing and Understudy Phantom), Gareth Snook (Monsieur Andre) and Simon Thomas (Raoul).  I've got my programme signed by Sofia and I had another photo taken with her.  The moment eventually came when Marcus came out...he is the nicest person I ever met at Stage Door and it was such a delight to meet him in person!  He signed all my things and we had photos taken.  We were able to have a nice chat about the show and he was interested in my journey as a Phantom Phan.  In all it was a lovely stage door experience and one of the best! He even tweeted that it was a pleasure to meet me and congratulated me on my BA degree.  I was so moved by his Phantom and also him as an individual.  It has taken me 19 years, 54 performances and 16 phantoms to finally have a Favourite Phantom!  I couldn't go straight back to the hotel so I stopped at a late night cafe and celebrated my happiness and giddyness with tea and cheesecake!

Sofia Escobar (Christine) and Dawn at Her Majesty's Theatre Stage Door

Marcus Lovett (My Fave Phantom) and Dawn at Her Majesty's Theatre Stage Door

The Chariots of Fire

The following day, after a lie in, I was too excited to sleep from a phantastic time I had the night before.  I was especially looking forward spending the day catching up with like minded friends and seeing the matinee performance of Chariots of Fire.  After having breakfast and checking out I headed into the West End.

I met up with Lisa at Leicester Square where were able to have a catch up and also James who joined us for lunch.  Afterwards we made our separate ways to our respective shows. Lisa was seeing Les Miserables and James was seeing Privates on Parade.

Lisa and I enjoy drinks at Costa, Leicester Square

Lisa, James and I having lunch at Pizza Express, Covent Gardens

I walked with Lisa because our theatres were next door to each other and I met up with Jeanette at the Gielgud Theatre.  We had a coffee at the Dress Circle Bar before the show.  The theatre is beautiful and intimate and I love its ambiance.  The Dress Circle Bar has a balustrade where you can look down the theatre's foyer. We sat in the dress circle slips where we had a good view of the stage even if restricted from the right side of the stage.  It didn't matter as we saw the main action on the stage throughout.

Chariots of Fire Advertisement

Chariots of Fire at the Guilgud Theatre, London

Well, Chariots of Fire is such a lovely and moving stage production.  Everyone knows the famous Vangelis music - which is such a moving musical score in its own right.  I loved how the movie is interpreted on stage (considering I usually have reservations about movies being interpreted on stage).  I felt very moved and inspired with the storyline about two runners' quests and determinate to succeed at the 1924 Olympics amidst facing barriers and challenges from the society around them. It's a shame it has now closed and I do hope it returns to the stage some day whether in London or on tour in the not too distant future

Afterwards we met the principal actors, Jack Lowden (Eric Liddell) and James McArdle (Harold Abraham) at Stage Door.  We also met up with Sophia and again Lisa.  Jeanette, Lisa and I had a drink near Her Majesty's theatre, where Jeanette was seeing Phantom that evening.  I caught up with Sophia afterwards for a bit.  The time came when we had to part company.  After collecting my luggage from my hotel I got my train back to Leeds.  What an amazing whirlwind couple of days it was! Another great London adventure with a lot of highlights!

Sophia, Jeanette and Lisa at Gielgud Theatre Stage Door

Leicester Square, London

I plan to be back in London next month for some great, phantastic and wicked times! I'm excited to meet up with more friends and share some potential highlights of 2013!

My Phantom Journey of 2012 (Part 6)

Cardiff 
 

On my way to Cardiff
(Along the Severn Estuary, Gloucestershire)

Look what greeted me 
at Cardiff Central Station?

Following a 'go slow' on my train between Leeds and Sheffield and potentially missing my original connection, I ended up spending an hour at Birmingham New Street Station before I could get a connecting train onto Cardiff.  I arrived in Cardiff later than planned so it was a matter of dropping my luggage at the hostel and getting ready for the evening performance of Phantom at the Wales Millennium Centre.  The quickest way was for me to get a train from Cardiff Queen Street Station to Cardiff Bay which only took five minutes.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Inside the Venue

Me and Lindsey before the performance

I arrived in good time to get some food at the venue's cafe and met up with Lindsey and Jamie.  Jamie and I swapped our tickets so Lindsey and I could sit together and be nearer the stage.  Despite the leg room in our row the view was excellent and were pretty close to the stage.   As always Phantom was fantastic as ever.  It was my first time seeing Earl Carpenter's portrayal on the tour and the performance consolidated the fact why he is one of my favourite Phantoms.  The emotions he puts in the character of Phantom impresses me to no end!  It was definitely worth while travelling a long way to Cardiff for the performance!

We struggled to find the stage door afterwards but I managed to find it by 'accident' via a goods entrance way.  I briefly met Earl, Katie Hall and Simon Bailey and they signed my bilingual Phantom Programme.  I did not want to hold them because more or less everyone was dashing out!  Lindsey, Jamie and I parted company after an amazing evening!

My signed programme, Cardiff, December 2012

Bilingual Programme, Cardiff, December 2012

The sun was shining the following day, Saturday, so I decided to explore more of Cardiff Bay instead of the City Centre.  I got on the train again and had begun my explorations.  I saw the Roald Dahl Plass where a Christmas Fayre was happening and some of the traders dressed up in fancy dress.  I also visited the Lightship 2000 and Norwegian Church Arts Centre where I saw the Arnold Lavery Exhibition and paid a visit to the lovely Norsk Cafe.  I visited the Pierhead Building and learnt of its history including past life at the Bay.  Pierhead belongs to the Welsh Assembly and is hired out for community and national events but there is a permanent exhibition.  After the Bay I headed back in the City Centre for some dinner before returning to the hostel.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay

Lightship 2000

Tea & cheesecake at Cafe Norsk

Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay

Inside the Norwegian Church Arts Centre

Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay

The next day following an unsettled night's sleep I happily checked out the hostel and had brunch in the City Centre before my long train journey home.  In all it was a great weekend.  May my Phantom adventures and travels continue on in 2013 in both Liverpool and Birmingham and also to see The Brilliant Original in London.  I am so grateful for the Phantom UK Tour to give me an opportunity to travel around the UK and visit exciting cities as well as support this amazing production!

Cardiff City Centre

My Phantom Journey of 2012 (Part 5)

Edinburgh

On my way!

End of September it was very busy at work and I was in the midst of getting my final essay done at university.  Still  it was the time to go and see The Phantom of the Opera in Edinburgh including John Owen Jones's last night as Phantom.  I had an early start for my journey! I got the 7.05 am train from Leeds and got into Edinburgh around 10.30 am.  I checked in the hostel near the Playhouse.  My dorm was not ready so I left my luggage in the lockers, hung around and got some studying done plus it was raining! When the rain stopped I ventured out and did some shopping.  I decided then to book a ticket for Phantom that evening.  I had to sacrifice a road trip out to the Scottish Highlands but I knew I will not regret it.  Eventually, I was able to go to my dorm and when I was close approaching it I could hear very familiar music! To my delight I was going to share the dorm with Keiko, a Phantom Phan and John Owen Jones Fan! I was very happy.  She was also going to both Friday and Saturday night performances which was great! After the horrific dorm experience I had in London when I was down there for some Olympics action. I was very happy as well as relieved!

Edinburgh Playhouse

I cooked a meal and afterwards I got ready for the evening's performance.  The Playhouse was only five minutes walk from the hostel.  Nice and convenient! I sat high up in the balcony.  Had a good view and it was not as vertical as I thought it would be so there were no signs of vertigo.  I thoroughly enjoyed the performance although I felt a bit emotional as I will only see John Owen Jones one more time as Phantom the following evening.  Bearing this in mind I felt emotional at Stage Door.  It was great to meet up with Sabine, Kathy, Vivienne, Pearl, Winifred and also Keiko!  It was also nice catching up with some of the cast, having our photos taken and getting our memorabilia signed.  I went to bed on a high that evening!

Me with Sabine & Kathy

Me with Anthony Gabrielle, Musical Director

Me with John Owen Jones

Keiko & John Owen Jones

Me with Iris, Sabine and Kathy

I spent Saturday morning studying and enjoying coffee! I agreed to meet up with Sabine, Kathy and company for lunch.  We had lunch at the Omni Centre and it was fun chatting even if I speak more or less no German.  Still great to spend time with like minded Phantom Phans!  Sabine and Kathy were going to the matinee and I was going to explore the City!  I went into the City Centre to visit the City Art Gallery and Scottish National Gallery and for a general wander.  I returned to the hostel for a rest before having dinner and getting ready for the evening show.

Lunch with Sabine, Kathy, Iris and Olaf

Edinburgh Sights

From left: Omni Centre, City Art Gallery, Scotman Steps. Scottish National Gallery, St Andrew's Square

I sat in the balcony again but lower down where I had a better view of the stage.  The leg room was something to be desired though but fortunately I was in an aisle seat so I could stretch out.  John Owen Jones was on fire that evening and I was so close to tears during The Music of the Night and actually crying during The Final Lair!  I felt so emotional afterwards.  John had a great sending off and standing ovation at curtain call.  He even took his mask off!

There was a crowd of us at stage door.  We waited patiently and amicably despite the rain.  It was a nice atmosphere compared to packed stage doors in the past!  I saw those again who I saw last night and also some of their friends which was nice.  Eventually, John Owen Jones came out and took a photo of all of us (I was in the photo lol!),  We then waited out turn to give our thanks, got our memorabilia signed and posed for photos.  There were some interesting gifts which were acknowledged by him from his tweets.

Me with Lawrence Connor, Director

Waiting for John Owen Jones!

Stage Door Crowd!

Me and John Owen Jones (Last night)

Vivienne, Pearl & friend with John Owen Jones

Group photo of us with John Owen Jones

Phantom in Edinburgh (Billboard in Leith)

The following day was some kind of anti climax from the night before.  However I did have a walk to Leith to see the docks area and the Ocean Terminal.  I saw the Yacht Britannia but I did not want to pay their extortionate admission fee to look around.  So I just took photos from the Ocean Terminal's viewpoints and also you can look out to the Firth of Forth and the distant Forth Bridge.  Leith, for a long time, was a run down area since the decline of the docks activity in the 1970s.  Extensive regeneration has taken place in the area and it is such a pleasant area to wander round and taking in the history through its building.  There is a good choice of restaurants for one to chose from.  There is still a tired feel to the high street and residential area though  It was an interesting way to spend Sunday afternoon.

Leith Sights

 Photos from the Historic Dockside, Ocean Terminal and Town Centre

On Monday I caught the train down to Berwick Upon Tweed, a town on the Scottish/English Border where I planned to spend a couple of days before returning home.  After a 40 minutes journey I arrived and walked to the hostel near the River Tweed.  I could not check in the dorm so I had to leave my luggage went out exploring.  I visited the Town Centre and its walls where there are great photo opportunities.  I also paid a visit to the Tourist Information Centre and asked the staff what they recommend I should do during my visit.  I eventually checked in my dorm and went out again to do some grocery shopping for my meals.  After cooking dinner and relaxing I settled down for the evening!

Berwick Upon Tweed Town Hall

Old Bridge, Berwick Upon Tweed

I had one full day in Berwick so I took full advantage of it and did the Lowry Trail.  I had begun the train in the town centre in mixed weather including rain! I then crossed the river towards Tweedmouth, a nearby village, and Spittal Beach and as walking the weather cleared with sunshine. When I reached Spittal beach I was greeted with sunshine, blue skies and blue sea! It was magical!  I had fun spotting the portraits.  I had managed to find them all except for one, the lighthouse, as the area was cordoned off.

Berwick Sights

 Photos from theTown Centre, Tweedmouth and Spittal Beach

The following I went home via First Class on the train.  I had got a cheap deal and I thoroughly enjoyed being pampered with a comfy seat, wifi and free food and drink including wine!