John Owen Jones was fantastic and I was lucky enough to see him twice. Kerry Ellis was the first Fantine that I saw.

Got free tickets for Maguerite from the company that I use for regular group bookings to the theatre and really looking forward to seeing it again. The cast were outstanding.

Anyone seen the last CM production of Oliver with BH as Fagin in 1997/8? BM kept making references to Dame Edna it was a farce did not like that production one bit. Another west end performance I hated was Darren Day in Grease what a lot of old s%*%!

Oh, the magic words "Philip Quast" lol. I met him once and was stunned speechless. He is the most talented, not to mention sexiest, man alive. My best mate worked with him on a show a few years later and I was sooo embarrassed

Colm Wilkinson is also my fave Valjean too, the most sublime voice I have ever heard.

I didn't get to go to the concert, I was only about 11 at the time so young too lol, and I was counting on the 20th at Wembley that never happened. I think had I actually been there it would have been simply too exciting for me to handle haha.

My ambition is to see all of the cast live in some show or another. I have managed Ruthie Henshall, Michael Ball, Philip Quast and Jenny Galloway and some of the chorus...even worked with a few lol. I must see Colm but he doesn't do that much over here

Like you say, when you see it on stage live it is different but for me doesn't compare to the concert - that was just one of those once in a lifetime events that I damn my parents for not buying me a ticket for

Arrgh, I may have to watch it tonight now hehe

I would have hated BH as Fagin - how unprofressional!

I must disagree re Darren Day though. I saw him in Grease, not expecting much as I never really rated his cr@ppy pop career lol, but he blew me away. Even my Dad and my lil brother couldn't believe it was him because they liked him so much

I saw Yul Brynner in The King and I in the London Palladium.

Now you all know I'm an old f*rt.

I am!

I'm seeing some shows on Broadway this week actually Qiute excited!

Marguerite seems to have got great reviews from what I have heard, not that I pay attention to critics but hopefully it will have a long life. Boublil and Schoenburg musicals are always worth giving a go. I have seen Marguerite has been on at tkts but think that may just be during previews.

John Owen Jones I loved, didn't much like the guy who I saw in Jan and last year. Think I saw Kerry Ellis play Fantine actually. Not many can compare to Ruthie though!

Lucky you I would have loved to see him he was so charasmatic

Oh man I am SO jealous! I keep meaning to save up enough money to do 2 weeks of solid theatregoing I got invited to New York as a kid (loads of family over there) and turned them down...boy do I regret that!

Can any West End buffs confirm this. Did Hugh Jackman play Gaston in Beauty and the Beast while Michelle Gayle played Belle I am sure it was him but he was not famous at the time

I already have it! But thank you! I do love Les Mis, but I've just not got around to seeing it just yet (it's on my must see list though). Martin Guerre has some fantastic music too. The only Boublil/Schoenberg one I don't like is the Pirate Queen (i think that got panned too).

I know he (HJ) was in Oklahoma with the National Theatre production - it would be around that time.
Last edited by jackbauer<3 : 26-05-2008 at 21:18

What ones do you plan to see. Is West Side Story still on there?

Have been going to the west end for many years 2-3 per year but like other things ballet and opera too. First thing I saw on the west end was Billy Liar with Micheal Crawford he was terrific. I support local productions too and travel to see touring productions.

I don't THINK so, I know he played Gaston in Australia though...

I think it was around 1998? I can't really remember but I am sure it was him. I tell everyone it was anyhow... HJ that is

I never knew he had been in musicals but I always thought I had seen him in Beauty and the Beast unless I dreamt it which is very possible.

Actually *flashback*, wasn't it John Barrowman??

I have seen:

Joseph (twice in touring productions)
Jesus Christ Superstar (x2)
The King and I
My Fair Lady
Grease (x2)

and various local productions inclduing Oliver, Grease and Sound of Music

Love going to west end but don't often get the chance

I just Googled it and yes it was! Lol!

Philip Quast is wonderful as is Colm Wilkinson. I saw CW as Judas in JCS many times. He is an awesome performer.


Jesus Christ Superstar Godspell Barnum Billy Miss Saigon Blood Brothers The Sound Of Music Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat Chess Les Miserables Hair Cats Hairspray Chicago West Side Story Oliver Sweeney Todd Song And Dance (Tell Me on a Sunday) Tommy The Phantom Of The Opera Grease Evita John, Paul George Ringo and Bert Chess Jack the Ripper Jeeves Bar Mitzvah Boy Flowers for Algernon

Maybe it was! I must do some research and find out. I am a big fan of JB and as we were in the cheap seats could not quite see.

Don't forget Steve Balsamo as JC - look at this if you haven't heard his amazing 3 and a half octave voice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-rre_BXxC0

Even more amazing as he was not rained when he did this!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just remembered seeing the posters of him with Michelle Gayle, lol.

As for Hugh Jackman, I don't think it could have been him as he was playing Gaston in Oz, then came right over to do Oklahoma, UNLESS he did a limited 6-wk run or something and that's why he isn't credited anywhere...athough my mate worked on Beauty and she definitely would have told me if she had worked with him, I'm sure of it lol. I would!

I saw Billy with Michael Crawford. Elaine Paige was also in the cast (pre Evita) as one of Billy's 3 girlfriends.