Vocally, Thaxton is the only one who can stand up next to Karimloo. Throw in the fact that he looks like Enjolras ought to, and he blows basically everyone else out of the water.
@AceofGallifrey Huh. I don't see Karimloo as the measure for all things as Enjolras, he's good but mediocre compared to others' vocal performances, he doesn't have their strength, control and calm authority, Thaxton in particular shows that. I think claiming that he is 'the only one who can stand up' to someone who gives an inferior performance is a bit odd.
@UnMizable Oh, certainly Karimloo's technique isn't as good, and his characterization isn't as good, either, not by a longshot. However, his actual VOICE, the qualities his voice possesses (seeing as he is, in fact, a genuine lirico-spinto tenor unless I miss my guess) lend themselves very well to the character. I'm not saying that he HIMSELF is a better Enjolras. Simply that the voice he is the bearer of is a better fit for the character- both youthful and heroic.
@AceofGallifrey I know what you mean, but personally, I prefer baritones or baritenors that can deliver the same 'spinto' kind of intensity as a tenor but have more gravitas and can actually sing the lower passages - DYHTPS for example - with a full voice. It's rare but when you've got a baritone like that I think it really serves the role.
@UnMizable Anthony Warlow, for example. He's one of the few baritones I can really appreciate, vocally speaking, in the role. But that's what you get when you have a proper operatic voice cast in any role- it just gets better for having that classically trained voice!
I just think the more metallic quality most tenor voices possess is a far better fit for the character. It lends Enjolras a heraldic quality that I think is really necessary.
@AceofGallifrey From experience and having heard many different tenors in the role, I don't think they tend to sound particularly 'metallic', most of the time the approach is too soft and airy and comes too close to Marius's role in the show.
But I definitely agree on the classically trained voice - Thaxton is opera trained as well - it serves and suits the character, as long as the performer doesn't overdo it. And that's what I get from Warlow on the CSR unfortunately.
@UnMizable I'm just speaking of the qualities that the tenor voice tends to possess when I say metallic. It's a brassier sound, not as round or rich as your typical baritone, but it has a more triumphant quality. You have to have a quality tenor, of course, or you get the "airy" effect you're speaking of.
Of course I just tend to prefer an operatic voice PERIOD, having been raised on opera and being opera-trained myself, but I think it's a singing style particularly well-suited to this show.
I find it funny how all the Grantaires' I have heard have really amazing deep voices, yet I, a 15 year old GIRL was cast as him in my school show. :L I can barely reach the low notes in this song, and I have to sing 'Drink With Me' up an octave to reach it. :L
@FarmoreSpel Hate to burst your bubble, but as good as he was, that's not the audience. Those are the other students on stage. ;) The audience just applauds "Red and Black", and, occasionally (although not here) the "Lamarque is dead" part (after all, this is not Wicked where they applaud and cheer for random lines)...
@LegsandJump Oh, don't worry, no bubble-bursting here. I figured as much, after I watched actual footage of the scene. It was just my stupid for commenting before I actually saw the scene. :)
Okay, thank you - Thaxton just looks quite different on the videos on Youtube (darker hair and other hair style), that's why I asked... the guy I saw in the theatre in July looked like the one on the picture, so it must have been Thaxton anyway ;-). Was no more sure because of the videos...
Oh yes, saw it in July. It was one of the best performances I've seen in my life, and since there are two theatre critics in my family, I've seen much good theatre :-). I was sooo impressed, especially by the barricades part. Great music, great melodies and staging all the way through. The singers/ actors were fantastic, but Eponine and Enjolras were just incredible!! Already dreaming of seeing it for a second time... ;-)
Does anyone know for how long the current cast will play? I'm going from Norway to London this July to see Les Mis again..and it seems like a great cast! :-)
who are they? cause the les mis cast change hapened like back in january and on the website hasn' changed from that time, still says jimmy johnson, jakeie marks, Jon Robyns, Leanie Dobinson
current main cast: Jean Valjean - David Shannon (old cast) Javert - Earl Carpenter (old cast) Fantine - Rebecca Seale (new cast) Marius - Alistair Brammer (new cast) Cosette - Katie Hall (new cast) Eponine - Nancy Sullivan (old cast) Enjolras - David Thaxton (old cast) M Thénardier - Martin Ball (new cast) Mme Thénardier - Lorraine Bruce (new cast) Grantaire - Martin Neely (new cast) ...
Cheers for the upload again! I found my program and it is David who i saw. Probably the best Enjolras i've seen, i just hope i've done the part justice, ill upload it once i get a proper recording!
Higham is first understudy for Grantaire. Pictures are scans from the brochure, I found them on some LM forum, there are a few in LM section of Delfont Mackintosh website too. Will upload Look Down asap.
ok, so i saw the show tuesday with this cast. richard woodford was playing javert (and he was really good), so does that mean keith higham was playing grantaire, or is there another understudy before him?
Amazing, you are an absolute star for uploading. It is the same cast i saw btw. I can remember the Marius being the same one int he picture. Thank you very much!
Vocally, Thaxton is the only one who can stand up next to Karimloo. Throw in the fact that he looks like Enjolras ought to, and he blows basically everyone else out of the water.
AceofGallifrey 7 months ago
@AceofGallifrey Huh. I don't see Karimloo as the measure for all things as Enjolras, he's good but mediocre compared to others' vocal performances, he doesn't have their strength, control and calm authority, Thaxton in particular shows that. I think claiming that he is 'the only one who can stand up' to someone who gives an inferior performance is a bit odd.
UnMizable 7 months ago
@UnMizable Oh, certainly Karimloo's technique isn't as good, and his characterization isn't as good, either, not by a longshot. However, his actual VOICE, the qualities his voice possesses (seeing as he is, in fact, a genuine lirico-spinto tenor unless I miss my guess) lend themselves very well to the character. I'm not saying that he HIMSELF is a better Enjolras. Simply that the voice he is the bearer of is a better fit for the character- both youthful and heroic.
AceofGallifrey 7 months ago
@AceofGallifrey I know what you mean, but personally, I prefer baritones or baritenors that can deliver the same 'spinto' kind of intensity as a tenor but have more gravitas and can actually sing the lower passages - DYHTPS for example - with a full voice. It's rare but when you've got a baritone like that I think it really serves the role.
UnMizable 6 months ago
@UnMizable Anthony Warlow, for example. He's one of the few baritones I can really appreciate, vocally speaking, in the role. But that's what you get when you have a proper operatic voice cast in any role- it just gets better for having that classically trained voice!
I just think the more metallic quality most tenor voices possess is a far better fit for the character. It lends Enjolras a heraldic quality that I think is really necessary.
AceofGallifrey 6 months ago
@AceofGallifrey From experience and having heard many different tenors in the role, I don't think they tend to sound particularly 'metallic', most of the time the approach is too soft and airy and comes too close to Marius's role in the show.
But I definitely agree on the classically trained voice - Thaxton is opera trained as well - it serves and suits the character, as long as the performer doesn't overdo it. And that's what I get from Warlow on the CSR unfortunately.
UnMizable 6 months ago
@UnMizable I'm just speaking of the qualities that the tenor voice tends to possess when I say metallic. It's a brassier sound, not as round or rich as your typical baritone, but it has a more triumphant quality. You have to have a quality tenor, of course, or you get the "airy" effect you're speaking of.
Of course I just tend to prefer an operatic voice PERIOD, having been raised on opera and being opera-trained myself, but I think it's a singing style particularly well-suited to this show.
AceofGallifrey 6 months ago
I find it funny how all the Grantaires' I have heard have really amazing deep voices, yet I, a 15 year old GIRL was cast as him in my school show. :L I can barely reach the low notes in this song, and I have to sing 'Drink With Me' up an octave to reach it. :L
PinStripePineapple 8 months ago
They all have funny faces in the picture... XD
I love David Thaxton and Jon Robyns' emotion while they're singing. It's something I feel was lacking in the 25th Anniversary Concert
violetsrblue0708 11 months ago
It's kind of funny how the audience claps after every other word Enjolras sings.
David Thaxton is just that epic. :D
FarmoreSpel 1 year ago
@FarmoreSpel Hate to burst your bubble, but as good as he was, that's not the audience. Those are the other students on stage. ;) The audience just applauds "Red and Black", and, occasionally (although not here) the "Lamarque is dead" part (after all, this is not Wicked where they applaud and cheer for random lines)...
LegsandJump 1 year ago
@LegsandJump Oh, don't worry, no bubble-bursting here. I figured as much, after I watched actual footage of the scene. It was just my stupid for commenting before I actually saw the scene. :)
FarmoreSpel 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
The Dutch cast is in this song so much better,
But still these guys are singing fantastic
chabaman7 2 years ago
You've never seen David Thaxton live...?
He's better than Freek or Dieter imo...
TLKthing3 2 years ago 2
Okay, thank you - Thaxton just looks quite different on the videos on Youtube (darker hair and other hair style), that's why I asked... the guy I saw in the theatre in July looked like the one on the picture, so it must have been Thaxton anyway ;-). Was no more sure because of the videos...
timaenot 2 years ago
The easy rule is: If he was fantastic, it was Thaxton. ;o)
But yeah, his hair a bit different in the videos.
Anyway, did you enjoy it?
LegsandJump 2 years ago 4
Oh yes, saw it in July. It was one of the best performances I've seen in my life, and since there are two theatre critics in my family, I've seen much good theatre :-). I was sooo impressed, especially by the barricades part. Great music, great melodies and staging all the way through. The singers/ actors were fantastic, but Eponine and Enjolras were just incredible!! Already dreaming of seeing it for a second time... ;-)
timaenot 2 years ago 3
Does someone know who is the blonde guy on these pictures?
timaenot 2 years ago
That would be David Thaxton as Enjolras.
LegsandJump 2 years ago 5
just saw this cast two days ago, they were amazing, especially David Thaxton!
freakandgeek19 2 years ago 16
Im going to see this the 27:th june :D I hope that Nancy Sullivan still will be playing Eponine ^^
swedishglamgirl 2 years ago 2
is there supposed to be a cast change soon?
Fiyero06 2 years ago
Does anyone know for how long the current cast will play? I'm going from Norway to London this July to see Les Mis again..and it seems like a great cast! :-)
Turegutt36 2 years ago
Current cast changes on 20th June unfortunately, but there are some staying on, including David Thaxton :-)
KirstyEarl 2 years ago 7
OK....do you know who is going to be in the new cast? Going after the 20th June, so...curious, you see.... :-)
Turegutt36 2 years ago
yeahh does anyone know who's stayin on?? I'm going to see it at the beginning of July..
LesMizFreak1 2 years ago
according to the les mis website everyone is still on from the earlier this year cast
Fiyero06 2 years ago
re: main cast
there's a new Thénardier, Mme Thénardier, Marius, Cosette and Grantaire
LegsandJump 2 years ago
oh, and a new Fantine!
LegsandJump 2 years ago
who are they? cause the les mis cast change hapened like back in january and on the website hasn' changed from that time, still says jimmy johnson, jakeie marks, Jon Robyns, Leanie Dobinson
Fiyero06 2 years ago
LegsandJump 2 years ago
who else????????
im goin on 22nd
cpjc08 2 years ago
thank you so much :) i've been after some audio of Keith as Grantaire for ages :) he sounds awesome! As do Jon and DT. Brilliant.
kaiteyblair 2 years ago 3
Cheers for the upload again! I found my program and it is David who i saw. Probably the best Enjolras i've seen, i just hope i've done the part justice, ill upload it once i get a proper recording!
Cheers
JoshA1990 2 years ago 7
dont mean to be a bother, but do you have the prologue from this cast too?
rebelteen666 2 years ago
Sure, will upload it.
Water0Lily 2 years ago
thanks so much!
rebelteen666 2 years ago
Higham is first understudy for Grantaire. Pictures are scans from the brochure, I found them on some LM forum, there are a few in LM section of Delfont Mackintosh website too. Will upload Look Down asap.
Water0Lily 2 years ago
thanks so much
rebelteen666 2 years ago
you are my hero! thanks! :]
dundmifflite 2 years ago
ok, so i saw the show tuesday with this cast. richard woodford was playing javert (and he was really good), so does that mean keith higham was playing grantaire, or is there another understudy before him?
rebelteen666 2 years ago
where did you get these awesome pictures from, and where can i get some? lol.
dundmifflite 2 years ago
Do you have "Look Down" from this cast?
dundmifflite 2 years ago
omg, i just saw this like two weeks ago. Thank you so much for uploading this, they were freaking amazing, and i'm like in love. haha.
dundmifflite 2 years ago
Amazing, you are an absolute star for uploading. It is the same cast i saw btw. I can remember the Marius being the same one int he picture. Thank you very much!
JoshA1990 2 years ago
No prob, I'm glad you liked it:)
Water0Lily 2 years ago