LesMisForever
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I wanted very badly to love this musical. I booked before reviews come out, and before checking whether it was on TKTS or, not (It is now, and I felt rather badly about paying £30 for Upper Circle , when you can get Stalls for £32.50 now)
I have to say though that I was very disappointed with the show. It is not a bad show, but fell well below expectations (for me at least).
The story is very weak. Well, the idea is not bad, but how it is written, and developed. I am also very unhappy to see it associated with “La Dame aux Camille”. Marguerite’s sacrifice in the novel is real, and voluntary. True, it was after an emotional blackmail by the father, but it was voluntary. Here, it is forced, and can hardly be called a sacrifice (Basically, the German general, who is Marguerite's lover, founds out about the affair, and in the process capture Armand' sister who is part of the resistance. He forces Marguerite to write a letter to Armand telling him she doesn't want him in exchange for letting Armand's sister live, and stopping the arrest warrant on him). In the novel, the father had no power over Marguerite. She decided to make the sacrifice, because she felt her association with Armand will harm him. In the musical, she had no power whatsoever. If anything, that scene actually made Otto looks good. He could have killed the sister, still pursued Armand, and held Marguerite and done whatever he pleased to do with her. He had all the power, she had none, apart from the fact that he actually loved her, and that really puts him in rather good light. The whole notion of sacrifice is that you give up something when you don’t have to. This wasn’t the case in the musical, and that changed the CORE of the whole story.
The entire first act failed to make me care, or moved about any character either way. Indifference towards characters is actually worse than hate. The second act was much better, and I started to connect with characters, but it was too late to be moved.
The music was beautiful, and full of ballads (which I normally adore), however, there wasn’t enough change in pace, or style, and that ultimately dulled the senses (unlike Les Miserables. I KNOW it is a different composer, but the connections of the creative team are heavy with Les Miz). I think it would be nice to listen to it on its own though. There wasn’t any song that was really amazing, captured you, and didn’t let you go. I guess “China Doll”, and Marguerite’s lament towards the end on how she got there were the best, but i think if you had some emotional contact with characters you might have enjoyed them little bit more.
The singing was the best thing in the show. Both leads were extremely good. Ruthie is fantastic, and she looked WOW in that red dress. A dream woman indeed, lol. What a man needs more? Beautiful, great figure and great voice. I don’t do stage door, but I made an exception and went there. She actually looks smaller in person, than on stage. She signed my “Les Miserables” copy on “Fantine” page. For me, she will always be “Fantine”.
The set, and design were very nice.
There are many great things about this musical, but a certain Hollywood producer once were asked what was the key to success, he replied "The story, the story, the story"
So, what is the verdict? With very heavy heart, and big frustration on a wasted opportunity, I will give it 2 stars.
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JIJane
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Must agree with a lot of the review above me.
Plus points - Alexander Hanson as Otto, great performer. The set and costumes were stunning. Chorus were all stunning.
Minus points - lack of any decent/memorable songs, couple too many samey sounding trios and duets. I can't remember anything, reminds me a bit of Woman in White. Julian Ovenden looks great and has a huge voice/range but he lacks subtlety for me. That said, maybe he was asked to sing the score "Les Mis" style but I am just not a fan of that type of gratey shouting. As for Ruthie - she works extremely hard and doesn't do anything "wrong" as such BUT - she also didn't really touch me. She looks perfect and acts well (if not spectacularly) but I just didn't "get it". Maybe it is the writing and faults in the book.
"however, there wasn’t enough change in pace, or style, and that ultimately dulled the senses"
Exactly.
Saw Jersey Boys last night, not a great show but I enjoyed it more than Marguerite, which I think just does not work as a show (even though everybody in it works very hard and does their best). And the bloke playing Franki Valli in London is amazing and made the show for me last night.
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I'm really interested to see if B&S can finally recapture the magic of LesMis and Miss Saigon. I really loved their earlier work.