Any Les Mis reviews?

Hi all,

I'm just wondering whether anyone has bothered to write reviews on Music Spectrum's Les Mis yet...

I haven't seen it yet. Will sometime this week though.


The Review Master

If you mean official reviews... i'm not sure. not that i'm aware of (as of sunday night)

unofficial? there are a few audience responses @ the unofficial website discussion server, else there has been word that others found it "better than the west end production"... oh, and Glenn Wheatley will also be seeing it next week (who?)

;o)

[Alan!]

Sunday Times were at the show today so I guess a review should be upon us shortly. "The Press" including 'The West Oz' were meant to be there on Thursdays Opening Night. 'The West' didn't make it & they are being chased up by our PR peeps as we type. I'll get back to you guys with which "Press" were there.

paulie

So...did Les Mis end up selling the 14,000 tickets they estimated, or were there even more? How did it all go?




crg


~<8>-/====/-----------

14,000 would indicate that we had full houses virtually every night, which we did not, but every night was pretty full, and pretty vocal. The print reviews we got were quite favourable, including one in the West by Geoff Gibbs.

How did it turn out? Well, about half the cast were happy and will probably return again to a Music Spectrum show, to line Pat Barton's pockets (his daughter informed me that he was able to perform renovations on his house from one of his previous ventures with Omnibus), and to do a show in a good venue like the Regal. Good luck to them I say, and it was the great people in the cast that kept me turning up to rehearsals.

The other half will never, ever, as long as the Earth keeps turning, become involved in a Music Spectrum show again - even if we were paid for the next show. In fact those of us in this half wouldn't be particularly surprised if there is never another show done under the title of 'Music Spectrum' again considering the (very public) deterioration of relationships amongst the heirarchy of the organisation throughout the entire duration of rehearsals and the run.

The show itself was very, very good - first and foremost because of the excellent performers and additionally because of Nicole, the amazing voice coach, SM Carol, and Paul McCarthy the MD. Unfortunately, people assume it was the strength of the direction (which it most certainly was not - I wasn't the only one who changed what I was doing once we were out of the insane and incompetent clutches of Jane Pike), and Music Spectrum even drew a comparison in the West review to Opera Viva.

Oh please.

Do yourself a favour - don't audition for these people, and not just because of its highly unethical, though strangely legal, financial structure.

Now that I have finally got that off my chest, Britannicus at the Blue Room is also going to be a very good show, but because it is co-op EVERYONE is getting paid (if enough people rock up), and in the very capable (if somewhat gassy and hyperactive) hands of David Meadows, it's shaping up to be a corker that everyone is proud to be involved in.

Starts Thursday 15 November, 9:30 in the Blue Room Studio, and runs for three weeks Thurs-Sat at 9:30pm. One show on Sun 25/11/01 at 7pm.

Amanda Chesterton

I hereby retract my comments 'insane and incompetent' when referring to Jane Pike. It was probably a tad harsh. Please excuse...I've had far too much caffeine today.

Man, I wish we could get a preview button...:-{

Britannicus is going to be good! I'm not bitchy in that at all - on or off stage! :-} (there's a first time for everything!)

Amanda the Chagrinned

What the hell is :-} ? I trully hate those things. Amanda, for the love of god, shut up. You are only embarrasing yourself. Most people agree with your thoughts on MS - i really haven't thought about it too much but I probably do too - so just leave it. We got so much out of Les Mis and idiots like yourself who think that they deserve better are trully disillusioned. Exception: those leads who trully were brilliant - Dockers, Justin, Paul (not a closed list) Was it only me to notice that those who stole the show (undeniable talent and secure) didn't complain? I find that interesting but that sort of thing, um.. humilty, is lost on you.

You have pissed me off so much in the last few months but this arrogant and self righteous outburst is really too much.

When you direct, produce and actually perform well (oh, and keep the cast, crew, audience, reviewers and this site happy without any bitching) in a show let us all know and yep, we'll all be there for you. God knows you haven't achieved this yet. Of course this is just my oppinion - feel free to completely ignore it. It may, however, do you good to listen once in a while to those around you. Maybe, just maybe, you're not as good as you think you are. Get over yourself and just have fun.

Looking forward to Britannicus, I can't wait to see Anthony.

;-) will be shot if he doesn't stop winking.

PS. Feel free also to interpret my not putting my real name here as complete cowardess on my part - I am scared of you.

I apologise for posting this here but 'tommy' has refrained from leaving his email, for a misguided fear of receiving a tirade of hate mail from me.

tommy wrote:
-------------------------------
> What the hell is :-} ?

Embarassed smile for having shot my mouth off (again).

> Amanda, for the love of god, shut up. You are only embarrasing yourself.

Dang right - hence the embarrassed smile.

> We got so much out of Les Mis and idiots like yourself who think that they deserve
> better are trully disillusioned.

I think an awful lot of people in the cast deserved an awful lot better - I think I got a pretty good deal on the whole. A lot of very talented people in the chorus did not, however, including your buddy Anthony who feels even more pissed off about the show than I do. I'm just a lot noisier than he is about it (as I am in most things).

> Exception: those leads who trully were brilliant - Dockers, Justin, Paul (not a closed
>list) Was it only me to notice that those who stole the show (undeniable talent and
>secure) didn't complain?

I admire them and their stoicism. I wish I could be that decent as a person, but I simply can't be, especially when I see a lot of good friends getting a raw deal.

>I find that interesting but that sort of thing, um.. humilty, is lost on you.

I have oodles of humility. Just no tact and a complete lack of rein on my mouth (fingers?).

> When you direct, produce and actually perform well (oh, and keep the cast, crew,
> audience, reviewers and this site happy without any bitching) in a show let us all know
> and yep, we'll all be there for you. God knows you haven't achieved this yet.

I have absolutely no interest in directing or producing, so I'll probably disappoint you in that regard. Performing well? That's entirely subjective but I have Jarrod's comment 'her talent matched only by her cleavage' to keep me in blissful ignorance of my lack of skill as a performer. And if you'll just cast your eye over my postings over the last year or so on this site, I have been in many shows, not one of which I have ever bitched about. Les Mis has been the only one I have ever criticised here, or anywhere for that matter. If you're talking about reviews I've written - who the hell wants to read an arse-kissing review?? And I don't recall ever being bitchy - I've always tried to keep criticisms constructive and outweighed by positives.

> Of course this is just my oppinion - feel free to completely ignore it.

Me? Never...

> It may, however, do you good to listen once in a while to those around you.

I do - all the time. What the hell's that supposed to mean? You're leaping to very unfair conclusions.

> Maybe, just maybe, you're not as good as you think you are. Get over yourself and just > have fun.

Show me one post where I have blown my own trumpet and I will crawl off under my well-worn rock. I have absolutely no opinions about myself as a performer, and I do, as you say, just try to have as much fun as possible. Having fun is rather difficult, however, if you're unhappy in a show, constantly worrying about whether performances are going to be taken away from you, and seeing experienced, talented people get shafted (myself NOT included). I wax lyrical about my lack of skill/talent/ability confirmed entirely by my repeated rejections from drama schools, but you'd probably just think I wasn't listening to people and not getting over myself.

> Looking forward to Britannicus, I can't wait to see Anthony.

He's unreal and well worth the price of admission, as are everyone else in the cast. Me, I'm probably as crap as usual so you can just close your eyes in those bits.

> PS. Feel free also to interpret my not putting my real name here as complete
> cowardess on my part - I am scared of you.

I'm not a pussy cat, I'll grant you that but I have a sense of humour and am the first person to take the piss out of myself. Please - come to Britannicus and identify yourself. I might even buy you a drink and not grind the glass into your eyes afterwards.

Amanda Chesterton

Dear Not-Actually-Tommy,

Can I ask why you are afraid of Amanda and what you think she's going to do to you? This kind of fear, (quite prevalent on this board as many arguments regarding anonimety (OK, I accept that is probably mis-spelt) and cowardice attest), confuses me. If people don't feel comfortable enough to express opinions here, perhaps it's something we need, belatedly, to address. In the words of a now thankfully demised overrated political blowhard, please explain?

Leah

What is wrong with Australia and Australians? Not only are people worshipping Leaders who prey on meanness, but now we have actors worshipping actors who don't complain. Is it somehow noble to not complain? It takes a lot of strength to stand up for what you believe in. I think Ms Chesterton should be congratulated for her stand!
What did you learn from the story of Les Mis "Tommy"? Did you really understand it??

Cheers
Nath




Thou villainous fool-born ratsbane!

yes i agree with you Nath,I think if people believe in a point of view they should stand up for that point of view. But so often it is not a personal viewpoint that is being expressed it is a personal attack on people. Also if you have a certain point of view it is your right to express it as the way you feel, but it is not alright to negate other peoples point of view because you don't agree with them.

I suppose Amanda's choice of words was a little less than... Diplomatic? But she did reply immediately with an acknowledgement of that.

Cheers
Nath



Thou spongy guts-griping pumpion! (that button's just SO much fun!)

Tsk tsk Heather!

I completely agree with Amanda. Maybe that is why you will forever remain in the "chorus".

:p

Hmm.....this is intriguing....."annabel" is Heather..... and "tommy" in another post had a Notre Dame address.....

Hmmm...........well well......... I only know of 2 people who go there... both equally as untalented as the other......

Hey hey! ;-}



Thou artless elf-skinned hugger-mugger!
(WOO-HOO!)

Outing people whilst remaining anonymous yourself there Mr or Ms *yawn*? A little rich don't you think?

Yup! :-)

Hmmmm....

Funny how such subjects spawn out of a question as simple as:
"Any Les Mis Reviews?"

This situation seems to be getting alittle heated....Me thinks me will stay out of it...not that I was ever in it......



The Review Master

I agree with you Review Master. Personally, I think the only point worth debating is Jarrod's hypothesis that Amanda's talent is matched by her cleavage.
I am full of admiration (and a few other things) for her cleavage, but I feel her talent is the winner. Sorry to disagree with you Jarrod, but it's my sensitive side coming through.
Then again, it could just be that I have seen a lot more of her talent and Jarrod has somehow gained some sort of advantage over me. If this is so, I expect photos or at least a very vivid description be email very soon Buttercup!

one thing i cannot stand is hipocrites - and people who spend waaaaaaaaaaaaay to much time on the internet. as i am the one to have started this whole thing i shall face my fears and provide my email address, hopefully, this will stop the madness.

Amanda, please forward all hate mail and talcum powder to the above address.

tommy wrote:
-------------------------------
> Amanda, please forward all hate mail and talcum powder to the above address.

Will do, although I prefer flour. It sticks to the mail sorters better and is more difficult to remove when wet.

;-)

I apologise for the smiley 'tommy' but, considering the world situation and George W's attraction to the Big Red Button, I thought it only wise.

Amanda Chesterton

P.S. Dean - the sentence did read 'talent EXCEEDED only by her cleavage' but I told him to change that to 'matched' when he forwarded the review to me, scrawled breathlessly on a pair of my underpants he was returning, or people would start to talk...

Anything I say here can not be construed to have originated from or be authorised by the original Amanda Chesterton. Any similarity to any person, living or deceased, is purely coincidental.

Thou venomed toad-spotted pumpion!

So Tommy hates hypocrites and people who spend waaaaaaaaaaay too much time on the Internet, huh? Guess the regular dirty laundry airing of the Buttery-Chesty-Schulze threesome is pushing you closer and closer to that clock tower. Myself? I just can't stand people who are intolerant (yep, here comes another "World's Funniest Man Award").

(And if Mel Brooks had only written, "So, I see your Schulze is as big as mine!" Just think of what might have been....)

Bit of an in-joke there too, for all you folks playing at home. Of course, Amanda doesn't actually wear any underpants. Even if she did, they'd have to be hand-me-downs from Mike Myers to fit one of my reviews on them. Top marks for all of you who realised that I was breathlessly returning one of Amanda's bras (again, with one of my reviews, this is the whole full-cup style, rather than one of those shelf-top jobbies she wears between the hours of dusk and dawn). And don't judge us! Struggling thespians, even those as talented and fiery as Amanda and Dean, have to make ends meet between those few-and-far acting jobs in Perth.

With posts like this, I'm sure my time is fast running out. When finally offered my choice of death, I can think of no other way to go than Sesame Street's - curiously appropriate - word for this week: Embosomed.

JB


Thou fobbing knotty-pated mammet!

Now that's just too close for comfort....

Ahhh.......then my work here is done, and I rest my case.

And learn how to spell; Hypocrites has a "y".

Thou villainous doghearted minnow!

Thanks for the back-up people.

I have now made peace with 'tommy' and have my laundry taken care of for the next 12 months to boot!

Pax - and I'll see y'all at Britannicus (starting tomorrow night, Thurs 15/11/01 9:30, Blue Room Studio; 9:30 Thurs-Sat for the next 3 weeks, plus a 7pm show on Sun 25/11/01), won't I? Lotsa cleavage for ya Schoots & Hot-n-Buttery...

Amanda Chesterton

PS Who the hell is 'Amanda Chestybonds' and how does she/it know my uni nickname?

HOLT! or I shall expose you for the villain that you are! Why are you so tired sir *yawn*? Too much flag waving? I believe it is now my work that is done. Good day (puff of smoke and evil laughter)

Bwhahahah............and who is richard?

Ahh dear......aaaaaaaaaaanyway........ people I assure you that you are in for a treat when I publish my "Les Mis Experience" on my website. (And it will be MUCH WORSE that Ms Chestertons remarks)

I dunno if I still should. I have built a bridge but am still very bitter.

But as always, if my public demands.......



(oh and I was wrong (YES I ADMIT IT!!!!!!) about the person I thought tommy was - imagine my SHOCK when I found out who it was, although, judging by what happened onstage once, he might be confused about who he is! ehehheheheeh.........and the "no talent" comment doesn't go anywhere near that man - talent FLOWS from him :) Love ya work Mr A!)

With David Meadows (the thinking man's Malcolm Crisp) directing, I thought it would be more than cleavage on show!
Either way, I will be there. Can't wait for the bow!

thanks Simon. This has been a baptism of fire for me! In the future, as I said to Ms Chesterton, I will think before I type.

I shall see you around.

I have one very important thing to say to you Amanda

THANK YOU :-)

One tinsy winsy little correction to all those that think Pat got the money....Jane never left the partnership even though she quite publicly said she had(in front of you and me one day Amanda) Not so...Jane and her husband were and still are partners with Pat. The Partnership is soooooooo good that Jane has been threatening legal action on Pat basically since the "get go"

So stay tuned because one day if the mood takes me I may very well reveal all...oooops no I didnt mean my cleavage...thats your job

Hope to see you soon and will contact you very soon Malcolm

Carol Lange

Well that pretty much says it all......... This disgusting behaviour by people (so-called "producers") like this needs to be stopped.

Stay tuned for my expose on my website - those people who care... http://www.simon-holt.com/performances/lesmis/experience

Maybe we could chat Carol?