LONDON TRIP REVIEWS

Sep 97

Last Monday, I went to see Phantom Of The Opera in London, with Peter Cousens, Josie Walker and Mike Sterling as the leads. I must say, they are probably all improvements when comparing to the previous cast, except for Megan Kelly, who’s one of my favorite Christines.

I was very excited to see P. Cousens, because I heard some good AND some bad things (most of them from Ali of course) about him. He IS much better than S. Bowman (a lot friendlier and he has a much wider vocal range for the part). But I must say, he hasn’t the "star"quality of e.g. Peter Karrie, Crawford or the Dutch Henk Poort. I particularly liked the ‘new’ things he added to the role (kneeling down when he gave the ring after PONR; crying and lying on the floor after he sent Christine and Raoul away; ...): those things were very touching and I hope to see them when I see future Phantoms.

Josie Walker was IMO a bit to old for the role, but her voice was very good indeed. She’s not special, so she’s probably not someone you will remember for the rest of your life. From what I’ve been told, she must be a lot better than Myrra Malmberg, but I haven’t actually seen her (only during her Cosette-run in Les Miz at the Palace). Mike Sterling was an excellent Raoul, and he has a very good and beautiful voice; I’d love to see HIM as the Phantom, because in the program it said he had done that part already in Manchester for a few performances.

For the rest of the cast, I must say I missed the old Managers (Kevin Wainwright and Mark Wynter), and I didn’t like the new ones. Jasna Ivir is still a heavenly Carlotta, and her acting improves more and more. Piangi was Patrick Togher, and what I heard from Christine Daaé he should be perfect, but was really horrible: I first thought it was an understudy, but it really WAS him. His top C was awful and he had obvious troubles with his voice during the performance; I noticed during the Hannibal that he told Jasna Ivir (in silence of course) that he had problems with his throat. I hope he gets better, because for the moment he shouldn’t play Piangi !!

Last Tuesday, I went to see the updated version of Les Miserables, when John Owen Jones was Valjean (alternate) and Alan Vicary (normally he does the Bishop-part but plays Javert until Ethan Freeman comes in). Silvie Paladino was Fantine and Gemma Wardle was Eponine. They were both very good and particularly Silvie was very good (she sounds a lot like Grania Renihan). The Thénardiers were Nick Holder (he was amazing, very different than others I’ve seen, but very funny) and Liz Ewing, who did a very good job too. Marius was Graham Bruce, but he was just awful. He ruined Empty Chairs !!!! Cosette was Annalene Beechey, and she keeps playing it with the enthusiasm of last year, when I saw her for the first time. Glyn Kerslake, one of my favorite performers in the West End, was still the perfect Enjolras: he should be given an Olivier Award or something like that, only for his efforts to make this part work !! I must mention Tim Morgan, because he’s the best Feuilly I’ve seen, and should get the part of Marius very soon IMO !!! Now, how was J.O. Jones, you ask ? Well, he’s much too young for my tastes, and doesn’t have a thrilling voice either. The one thing I liked him for, was the fact that he aged during the show, a thing I haven’t seen much before; the problem is that his voice doesn’t do this !!

A.Vicary was not as thrilling as McCarthey or Quast, but he’s not bad. I was very interested to see Ethan Freeman, but alas he wasn’t in yet. Maybe, I’ll catch him later...

O yes, the actual changes: well it’s much brighter and new now (the lighting and costumes that is). The musical changes were not disturbing (e.g. the new scene with Valjean and young Cosette),but I didn’t like it the way the little song of Enjolras during the battle on the barricades ("Let others rise, to take our place...") was speeded up!: it really ruined that lovely song. So, I think it’ worth the money to go and see it again, but probably you have to see it when Ethan Freeman plays Javert !!!

Finally, Thursday evening, I went to see Martin Guerre, when Glyn and Ma-Anne where doing the leads. I must say they were very good, especially Ms Dionisio ! I have seen the 3 versions, and my favorite is the 2nd one. I didn’t like the Solution very much and the Finale of Act 1 was a bit messy. The Act 2 finale wasn’t as stunning as the 2nd one, and not as intimate and moving as the 1st one. Besides that, I liked the death of Arnaud better this time, and Michael Cahill’s Martin was good, except the fact that he doesn’t have the amazing voice of the very first Martin Guerre, Matt Rawle. I missed the original Benoit, but I had the understudy for this part. The judge wasn’t as good as the original one either, but the priest was MUCH better than the first one! The 2 parents were good and I "(dis)liked" Pierre Guerre this time more than in the other versions: the part worked better now. Also Guillaume wasn’t bad, but Jérome Pradon was sadly missed. I didn’t see Ma-Anne in Saigon, but after this, I probably will !!!!

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to contact:

( Sept 97 / Sven Verlinden/sven.verlinden@skynet.be)