[Orestes Fasting]

(This idea started on the "Les Mis to be revamped" thread about the new UK/European tour, and kind of hijacked it so I'm giving it its own thread.)

So, as some of you may have noticed in the tour thread, Les Mis is going to be in Paris from late May to early July 2010. Which means it's going to be in Paris on 5 and 6 June, AKA Barricade Day. And it's at the Théâtre du Châtelet which is in central Paris very close to where most of the book's action takes place, and this is the show's 25th year, and we have an entire year to plan ahead. It's like the stars aligned for a Great Big Fan Meetup in Paris.

If you're at all interested in getting yourself to Paris on the 5th and 6th of June to see the show (it'll be in English btw), meet some other fans, and stand on the real-life actual Pont Notre-Dame imagining a guy in a greatcoat jumping off the quay, please reply to this thread! Even if you're not sure whether you can make it, I'd like to see how many people are interested.

This can be as simple or as elaborate as we want it to be--anything from an unofficial meetup to practically a full-on convention. It'll depend on how many people are interested and what y'all want to do. I'm going to be studying in Paris all year, so I can show people around and translate things and give the real-life version of the Mizzie Tour if desired.

Useful links:

Théâtre du Châtelet's 2009-2010 season - Les Misérables is already listed.

StudentUniverse - Massive discounts on airfare, train fare, hotels, car rentals, etc. for university students and faculty. I love this site; it got me a one-way plane ticket to Paris for about $350 including fees.

Kayak - Discount airfare and price comparison for those not affiliated with an institution of higher education

Budget hotels in Paris - Exactly what it says on the box.

[Eppie-Sue]

Great idea to actually start a new thread and thanks for the info!

Okay, once again: count me in. I'm one of the fortunate ones who are already in Europe, so unlike many others that showed interest I won't even have to travel across the Atlantic Ocean but only across the Channel, so that won't be a problem.

As I said before, I have this amazing vision of dozens of Mizzies laying down flowers at the Pont Notre-Dame and rue Mondétour, wearing sideburns and red vests and waving flags, screaming "Down with Polignac!" and all.

[Catherine]

Yeah, erm, sort of pencil me in, because I don't know if I will have exams around that time, so not sure. But if I'm free up, you'll definitely see me there.

[lesmisloony]

If I get into the study abroad program I'm in, meaning I'll know for sure in... early April? Or something. I half-applied last year, so I know how to do most of the paperwork already...

A Les Mis convention. That would be... epic, for lack of a better word.

[marlalp]

Is anything known about the cast? Will it be the original production, or a revival?

I studied in Paris for a year, and would welcome an excuse to go back.

[eponine5]

I've heard that the JOJ might be doing at least the Cardiff part of the tour... if so I have to see it!

And I'd love to go to a mizzie meet up in Paris if only my exams were finished by that point...

[Fantine]

It sounds like a really cool idea... I'll only have to take the train to get there, and it would be lovely to visit Paris again! I'll keep it in the back of my mind

[CabaretGirl]

I was plannig to return to Europe next summer if my budget allows me, so who knows?

[Lara]

If my plans that summer change, I'd definitely go.

[Madeleine]

That is a fantastic idea, and I would love to go.

I was in Paris in April and spent much of my time trailing around the city being a Les Mis geek. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

It sort of depends on uni exams, but I doubt I would have them at a weekend.


Edit: Some of the cast has been confirmed: John Owen-Jones as Valjean, Earl Carpenter as Javert, and Gareth Gates as Marius.

The best link I can find at the moment is from Gareth Gates on Facebook.

[flying_pigs]

Gareth Gates.....as Marius......
Oh dear!
But, JOJ and Earl Great pairing!

[Madeleine]

[Eppie-Sue]

Earl as Javert! Yay! And I love that I might actually get to see JOJ as Valjean, everybody's gushing over his performance so much...
Gareth Gates as Marius... meh. I have no real opinion of him, the only thing I actually associate with him is THIS and the fact that apparently he is Joseph right now. And I don't really trust actors who were in "Joseph" and enjoyed their time (which is mean).

[Lola-Grace]

Gareth Gates as Marius - this makes me wince for some reason. I was always rooting for Will Young...

He has silly spiky hair and Marius in my mind will always be a curly boy

[flying_pigs]

Yeah Joseph closed in May
Well Alistair Brammer is a former Joseph and people seem to think he's ok, so I'll give Gareth a chance!

[Lola-Grace]

Well I'm off whoever it is

Wish I could go to Paris, but Manchester is looking much more economically viable

[flying_pigs]

John, Earl and Gareth confirmed by The Stage:

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/24856/gareth-gates-to-star-in-tour-of-les

[kozafluitmusique]

I'm going to try to see if I can be in Holland early June and hey I saw this maybe if i do go to Holland then , I could take a train down.

[What you own]

[Orestes Fasting]

Hmmm. Obviously we can't plan too much until people's plans are more exact, but I'd like to get a general feel for how much organization everyone wants. We could just do it as everyone seeing the show and swinging by the stage door on the 5th and/or 6th, with optional Mizzie Tour activities during the day and dinner at the Cafe Procope or something. Very casual. We could have some sort of identifier, like "everyone who's here for the meetup wear a tricolor sash," and enlist fans with sewing skillz to make and sell the sashes. We could set up a PayPal collection for anyone who wants to pitch in, and use the proceeds to do something nice: I was thinking if we raised enough we could offer free drinks to any current or former cast members who show up and put up with a bunch of hyperactive fans, and if there's any left over (or if no cast member is crazy enough to take us up on it) we could put it towards dinner or museum fees or, I don't know, buying everyone souvenir t-shirts or something.

I don't want to drive anyone off by organizing this too tightly, but with a bit of extra planning we could have some cool additions to the meetup. So it's up to you guys how much extra planning you want.

[mezzo_soprano]

I'd love to go.

However I have no money.

(and I'm only 17.)

[KatyRoseLand]

I'm so in. It would be amazing. And I love the tricolor sash thing.

[Eppie-Sue]

I'm definitely thinking red vest/tricolor/flag on my part. I can't help it. And yes to Mizzie tour and yes to hyperactive fans. About the drinks, well, I don't have a PayPal account, but I think it's sweet and I would just hand in some cash once we meet up. But only if Enjolras is not being played by a pop star.

[Orestes Fasting]

Well, the nice thing about PayPal is it's fairly flexible--there's probably an address you can send cash or a check to to contribute to the fund.

And I wasn't thinking of the tour cast specifically, more like anyone who's been in a pro production. Former London barricade boys for example. I just figure this is probably as close as the Les Mis fandom is going to come to having a convention, and while we won't have the funding and organization to snag celebrity guests like most conventions have, if enough people are willing we could issue a general invitation to current/former cast members on a more casual basis: "we can't really pay you to sit behind a table and sign autographs, but if you want to come chat about the show with a bunch of interested fans, drinks and/or dinner are on us." I don't know how likely that would be to actually happen, but I suppose the invitation is worth issuing.

[lesmisloony]

I'll help any way I can! I have some mediocre sewing skills and a pretty good machine. And I love the more-regulated idea. I reckon even if I don't get in to study abroad I'll probably do what I can to go to this event because it's a once-in-a-lifetime type thing.

[Jolllly]

Wow, I so want to do this...Been planning on going to Paris for years. And with all this, this being perfect Les Mis time to go this next year, being with other mizzies who know what they're doing in Paris and where to go and how to get there...That's amazing. Definitely gonna save up money and see how that works out. This is truly an awesome idea.

I'd love to help if I can, even if that's just by donating money.

[Rose Des Enfers]

Pencil me in too! I was going to apply to study in Russia next summer, but I suppose this would cost about the same and be just as educational

[Orestes Fasting]

[eponine5]

I have first-hand information about this tour!

- First of all, it seems like they are actually re-designing it. Actually.

- There will be no rotating stage so that'll be a big difference. I'm going to pretend it's because of their amazing artistic vision for the show rather than just to make it cheaper or fit in smaller theatres

- the same cast will do the entire tour, so JOJ will be in Paris

- There's good and bad news about the orchestrations:
good: It will be a bigger orchestra than in London
bad: I'm sure you've guessed already

[eliasatsalome]

AAHHHH!!!!!! Im one of the poor souls who lives and asia and therefore cannot watch Les Miserables unless the tour plans to go to asia *ahemahemphilippinesahemahem*


SEND ME TO PARIS ON BARRICADE DAY!!!!

[Mademoiselle Lanoire]

[MlleTholomyès]

[Quique]

So I'm guessing I'm gonna be the only dude there? :S

[wtfchuck]

If I'm free at the time I would absolutely love to come, chances are I'll be still finishing off at college then though

Sounds like fun though. I'm looking forward to pictures of lots of red flags and crazed Mizzies.

[Moci]

[Orestes Fasting]

[Gargamel]

Oh my G...

i was just saying to myself: it's been a while I haven't looked at musicals.net to read abour les misérables.

And I read that thread...
The idea of going to see Les Misérables in Théâtre du Châtelet just made my heart explode!!!

I really think I am going to plan a trip to Paris to see that.
I was in Paris last 5-6 june, and of course, I went on rue Mondétour to be there at that time.

There is only ONE thing that bugs me: It will not be in french!
That would be quite odd to see Les Misérable in Paris and in English...

But well.... THÉÂTRE DU CHÂTELET!!!!
probably my favorite theatre in Paris... That place is just wonderful! It is a historical place!

[Stephany]

I'm in! I'm so excited to hear that Les Mis is coming back to Paris and this seems the perfect opportunity for a big meeting! Can't wait to hear more about the cast.

[Rose Des Enfers]

[Orestes Fasting]

Question! Would anyone be interested in purchasing group tickets to one of the shows? Théâtre du Châtelet sells tickets at a 10-20% discount to groups of ten or more; there's less of a chance of getting good seats, and I'd have to book early (I'm thinking December at the latest), but we'd be in a big group of other fans.

Seven or eight people have already expressed interest elsewhere, so if I get a few responses here I'll go down to the theatre and ask about availability for 5 and 6 June.

[KatyRoseLand]

I think that would be a really good idea.

[Stephany]

Orestes Fasting - I'm in! I've already got my ticket for May 27 but would be thrilled to see it again with a group of fans. Let us know if there's anything we can do to help you with the organization.

[lizavert]

Definitely interested. Anything that makes this trip a little easier on me.

[jdeng]

I may need a ticket or two, pls give me a shout when you have decided to go booking, either for the show or travel tickets. Thanks in advance!

[Orestes Fasting]

Okay, I've been in contact with the Théâtre du Châtelet. We are probably going to be booking side/rear balcony tickets for €38, and we will be split into groups of four or six.

If you're definitely in for group tickets, please send an email to barricadeday2010@gmail.com to say you're in. Include your forum username and, if you feel comfortable doing so, your real name. (I promise I will keep it private.)

Go ahead and email if you want group seats but your travel plans aren't 100% sure. The tickets will most likely be transferable, so if it turns out you can't make it, another fan can reimburse you the cost of the ticket and go in your place.

[Lauraa]

I’d love to go but my parents don't want me to go to Paris by myself with a bunch of people I don’t know...

Buuuut I will try to persuade them, when are you likely to book the tickets?

[Fantine]

Wow... I really need to look it up and see where I could stay if I go to Paris and how much it would cost me... I would love to go.
Didn't you post something about hostels earlier, Orestes?

[Orestes Fasting]

I've booked the tickets for the evening of June 6th. At the moment there are about five places still available in the group; the final price is 36€ per ticket. Send off an email to barricadeday2010@gmail.com if you want one, and I'll send you a PayPal request for the cost of the ticket.

The theatre needs to be paid by the end of the month, which means I need to have everyone's ticket money by the 23rd or so.

And again, the nice thing about group tickets is they don't have your name attached. Which means that if your plans change and you can't make it to Paris, another fan can buy your ticket off you.

Fantine: I don't know much about hostels in Paris, but I know of a couple cheap hotels, and I'm sure many hotel- and apartment-sharing agreements will be worked out soon between the people who are going.

[Quique]

I wish to go.

I'm quite...small. I can fit snugly in various medium sized carry ons and tote bags. I don't snore and will be happy to sleep in the hotel closet or bathtub.

I kid.


Well, kinda.



Not really. :S

[Orestes Fasting]