Les Mis

Ok, CALM DOWN.

Chloe, once again I am sorry that you were so utterly disappointed in the show. Perhaps we should have added some spirit fingers in for good measure. Nonetheless, you are entitled to your opinion and thank you for critiquing.
I'd just like to add that John Milson (who I was excited and honoured to work with in this production) is indeed moving on to bigger and better things. The Sydney Opera House, to be exact. I'm sorry you have such a problem with his direction but having worked with him I can safely say that the man KNOWS his @!#$. Any actor would benefit from working under his direction. Secondly, he knows this show inside-out and back-to-front. Yes, his interpretation of it is rather different from Tervor Nunn, and all the Tervor Nunn copies. This does not make it a bad show, it makes it different.

Yes - we did have hiccups with the sound. This was unfortunate. I'm not going to apologise or make excuses for it. All I can say is that our stage manager Liz, as well as the entire backstage crew including the Regal staff worked tirelessly to get this show up and running in the theatre in such a short amount of time.

One last thing - I don't know if you are aware of this, but you're arguing with one of our Urchins. We are all very proud of the show we put on, the kids included. Once again you are free to your opinion, but there's no point in getting into a posting war. Chill.

If anyone has an fresh reviews on the show, we'd love to read them. Particularly if they have anything to do with the actual performances. :)

And by Tervor Nunn, I of course mean Trevor Nunn.
Bad fingers, bad.

so can i tell u your wrong then?

If you feel you need to, again. We already know your opinions on the show so why you feel the need to keep telling us is beyond me. That said, go ahead.
The same goes for you, though. Just because you say I'm wrong, or the show was wrong, doesn't make it a fact. :)

Chloe S

Why are you bothering to get heated about this ? Of course you're entititled to your opinion and no one has the right to tell you otherwise. Doesn't it truly say something if "Charlotte" has to keep popping up defending what people are saying about the show?

And Charlotte I'm sure if you go through all the threads yourself you'll find there are actually some reviews about the performances, not just about the MS Society (count the negative reviews too). Alot of the reviews are generally saying the same things and it's not always about bad technical issues, ie sound. ;)

I have seen the show myself but really can't be bothered writing a review as it would just echo what other people have written. Take a wild guess... (not literally though)

Chloe

If you did your research on John Milson, what he has done, and what he is doing next, you would indeed realise that you are wrong.


To The cast of Les Mis:

I'm sorry I didnt to see your show, I am overseas however, I have heard on all accounts from many people both in theatre circles and from the general public that it was fantastic and you should all be proud.

Congratulations

O.K., here is my opinion, since at this time is seems so important to convey oneÂ’s impression on this current thread.

The MS SocietyÂ’s production of Les Mis . . . Loved it! Was it as good as Broadway . . . No! London . . . No! Professional Touring Cast . . . No! Would I go see it again if I could (MS Production) . . . Hell yeah! Were there sound problems . . . Yes! Was I really THAT bothered by it . . . No! Were the performances of the cast good . . . I thought so! In the end did I have an enjoyable evening out with my lovely friend while taking in a show presented for a good cause and put on by a solid cast of local talent . . . YES, DEFINETLY!!!!!

Chloe Spalding . . . Hello, build a bridge! But remember this is only my opinion and oneÂ’s opinion can neither be wrong nor right due to the fact that like arseholes we all have one!

i just dont understand why everyone has fully paid me out cuz i told people to stop bagging the MS,
i can understand why people have enjoyed the show, and i havent gone and told u that u all shouldnt think that way unlike people have made me feel,
all it seems is that people have shut me down cuz i sed i didnt enjoy the performance, and that people shouldnt start bagging the MSS cuz its not the right thing to do.
all of u have sed ur entitled to your own opinion BUT...
that doesnt seem to make sense?!
so i apologise for sticking up for the MSS and would like people to continue on writing reviews for the show encolsed with your OWN opinions, and ignore the fact u may get shut down for it

Chloe Spalding wrote:

> this performane is the 2nd i have seen from John Milson and
> have created very low respect for him as both shows were
> poorly directed, with boring blocking which led to no
> conflict, intesity and was at times just boring
> it seems he took the approach of keeping everything minimal
> and didnt want to experiment or be too creative...either that
> or he just plainly did a half assed job
> so there is my review
> overall quite a poor performance, poorly directed, and
> terribly unadventurous or lacking in creativity
> Chloe

Once again, this is your opinion, no disrespect towards you at all. But I hardly believe JM has deliberately done a 'half assed job'. I admit to having not seen this show. And Im not sure which performances you've seen Directed of his. But John Milson is a man whom I think you should have a little more respect for. John has been awarded the Order of Australia for his contribution to the theatre. He's also been the head of musical theatre at WAAPA for several years. I believe he still teaches there now, however dont quote me on it. He's been asked to Direct numerous amount of shows Australia wide, and even recently had an article published about him in 'The West Magazine'. Fair enough, perhaps this show may not have been his best. We all have our fair share of poor performances. Any actor/director would be quite naive to say they haven't had the odd bad season. But perhaps show the man a little more of the respect he deserves.

SJS

firstly chloe clam down WOW this is really heated and secondly do you know that facts about how much it would be to mic up everyone. allot! and the amount of preperation it would take at the sound desk to coralate when the mics should be on or off. come on guys let do this review thig right. let give people there view on the show. and leave it at that non of this fighting online on an innocent review page

Fine,
john milson is great
the show was excellent and i had so much fun
i felt that the show was the best i had ever seen and wanted to the join the actors on stage
there, what u all want to hear :)

I think everyone should show more respect to everyone.
It's all gotten a little silly, and I for one can't actually remember where a lot of it started???
Everybody is entitled to their opinion. I reiterate, as someone already has said, one of the posters is one of our younger cast members- with the passion and love of youth, but shall we say, a less refined access to debate. A cool and calm head from all is required...

For my money-
I didn't agree during rehearsals with several of John's ideas, mostly because they were different to what I have seen before and liked. However, having the advantage of 'seeing' the show 11+ times, I think they did- but not in every show! Something as different as this version was often required us all to be on the ball for the full 3+ hours of every performance. The fact it wasn't perfect only proves that we were a mostly amateur cast doing our best- and mostly this was excellent.
and it got better every show- thus I noticed mostly the reviews have improved the later in the season people saw the show.
It also proved to me that no matter how clever you think you are (I think I am!), there is always someone who knows more!
Sound was a major problem- in virtually every show. I suspect this was a poor equipment issue, having many years faultless experience of working with these sound guys in other gigs. That said, every notes session involved discussion on turning your head and speaking at the floor mikes (just in case). When people did this (not all could have body miking all the time) it was still possible to hear lines.
One matinee my mike had died for one of my larger scenes. Despite this, my friends in the audience told me they still heard every line I sang. This was thanks to hearing this note constantly for the previous week.
Again- another learning experience for us all.
John's major issue in this show, and I don't think he'd have issue with someone saying it publicly, was that we simply didn't have enough time in the theatre itself before opening. Due to the enormous set/technical requirements of a show of this size, we literally were only able to run 2 proper dress rehearsals before opening, the first without lights having been plotted and without makeup, the second with only half the show plotted. Therefore opening night was the first time we ran with lights, sound, costumes and full sets. This was a source of massive frustration for John, and I suspect another learning experience for the MSS crew.
It was also very scary for me as a performer.
No matter how great the director/crew/cast, sometimes miracles cannot be performed

So all in all, a good show to be involved in, and I must say- mostly reviewed extremely fairly. It was not perfect, and sometimes some of it was downright ordinary. But we all learned, and I think the vast majority of the audiences has a cracking good time, based on all the feedback I have received. hopefully musical theatre throughout Perth will continue to be stimulated and grow from this experience, (and healthy and freethinking debate continues to thrive in this country.)

If us creative people can't manage to debate freely, how do we expect the politicians etc to manage it...?

yours in peace
Nev

Nifty,

I love you.

No no no m'siuer!!!

Thankyou also to everyone for their comments -- it's always good to hear feedback, whether positive or constructive.

Love,
The Whore -- you all know who I am.

Chloe Spalding wrote:
>
> Fine,
> john milson is great
> the show was excellent and i had so much fun
> i felt that the show was the best i had ever seen and wanted
> to the join the actors on stage
> there, what u all want to hear :)

I Agree with Neville. 'Tis getting a bit out of hand. Had no problem with Chloe's review. No disrespect to her opinion. Just thought a background on JM would be interesting to note. Regardless of whether the production was fantastic or not. This site is dedicated to discussion of current performances etc, however we tend to get caught up with our opinions. Just look at the CHESS review for WAAPA. That went beyond the point. Lets keep the opinions in regard to the performance at hand, and not so personal. I guess a few of us are responsible for that.

...why cant we all just get along....

Much RESTECPA to you all.

SJS

Oh Nifty, where would we be without your lovely self? And a tenor too...

Aw, shnooks. Poor Chloe.
No really, I have no sympathy. We don't live in a Nazi state and no one is forcing you to change your opinion. It's an INTERNET. MESSAGE. BOARD. Don't take people's comments to heart. Actually there are quite a few people who seem to agree with you. Don't victimise yourself so that people will stop disagreeing with you. It's called a discussion.

Wow Tim,
Thanks heaps we worked really hard to make Les Mis all it can be. It's a pity you didn't fly back to see it but I understand your doing some pretty important things at the moment. Your really lucky. So thanks for taking the time to tell us what you heard. Did you hear all good stuff over there????

I come on this site as most people do to read and write reviews, if thats what your here for, great, if it's to fight with everyone about each others reviews do us all a favour and go onto msn or something. Its really quite pathetic and alot of these messages are wastes of time on everyones behalf.

I whole heartedly agree, this site has lost its way. I view this website as more of a comedy page where stereotypes come to life, nothing more. Its great for a laugh but sadly can't be taken the least bit serious.

All the threads inevitably wind up as cat fights or young talent time and the reviews are nothing more than gushy ego boosters and when they aren't they get attacked for not being 'supportive' enough.

Thankyou posters of the Theatre Australia forum for bringing a smile to my face every now and then when I have nothing constructive to do.

Bravo!

P.S.
I'm happy to be proven wrong with any of the statements I have made. In fact I welcome them.

Hey guys,
I didnt get to see the show,
Could you please tell me what Cosette was like? I auditioned for the part but didnt get in!!! Just wondering how she went and if she was good...Be honest.
x

How were the actors/actresses, cosette in perticualr
cheers

I DID NOT GET TO SEE THE SHOW, HOWEVER I DID HEAR FROM SOMEONE WHO SAW IT WHO IS WELL KNOWN IN THE DRAMA INDUSTRY THAT COSETTE WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC SHE HAS THE MOST AMAZING VOICE.
WELL DONE TO ALL AT LEAST YOU GOT IN AND HAD A GO

Cosette's voice was very lovely and she looked th part too, which helped a lot
she did a good job

couldn't hear her , could of got better

I could hear her when her mike wasn't turned on. That's classical training for you. Are you sure you were listening?

Got someone better for free? Doubt it.

What show were you watching? She was great! I have it on good authority that her voice was so strong (classical training) they actually turned her mic down every night to make her sound softer. One night her mic failed and apparently she could still be heard from the back.
Also, I think it might be a little confusing for people if you are commenting on Cosette and also calling yourself "Cosette", when clearly you are not one and the same.
As for the real Cosette, all class.

I am guessing that most of you are referring to the recent Perth production of Les Mis but 'cosette' is not as the posting came from Victoria.

See the top of her post: cosette (---.vic.bigpond.net.au)

How was the young cossette?

How was Young Cossette?

I'm still wondering what people thought of the adult Cosette?

There are some posts about it. She was fab. Stunning voice and stunning looks.