The Prologue | Les Misérables

[@Ceej_MM]

Jesus Christ, the tempo is insanely fast here. Were they renting the theatre by the minute? What was the hurry?

[@cooper6381]

I’ve also thought about this…

[@FutureMeterologist]

They are just fast paced songs. That’s it 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@cooper6381]

@@FutureMeterologist they’re usually a little bit slower though

[@Rocketsong]

Seems fast to me as well.

[@leondegraaf9783]

I played this Les Miz production last year and think I can answer this. In the new staged production, the convicts are not carving stones but they are on a huge ship rowing on a stormy sea (and transporting the stones they carved) to shore. They row on the rhythm of the drum that a guard is beating. I thought exactly the same before I saw the new staged version, as if the conductor has to catch a birthday party after the show, but this rhythm makes perfect sense when you see the staging and I really like the driving force of the music which guides you straight into the the scene.

[@Andra_Georgia]

This musical deserves its place in the big book of musical history. It will never die.

[@overcomingthat2728]

Everyone else overlooks this but I am still upset that they didn't separate the parts for the movie. They had 500 people you couldn't find 4 people to sing those parts in "Look Down" So thank you for doing that.

[@benlikesbeans]

pretty sure they did do that in the movie idk tho

[@judithhickey6936]

Love " Les Miserables" . Best musical ever. Never get tired of watching and listening to this awesome and great musical. ❤❤❤

[@wrestlingexcellence2590]

ALFIE BOE is one of the greatest Jean Valjeans out there; if not the greatest. Not taking away anything from the original JV, Colm Wilkonson, of course but the timbre of Alfie’s voice really suits this character so eloquently. BRAVO, sir! No wonder they brought you back as JV after the 25th Anniversary celebration. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for Michael Ball but he will forever be the great “Marius” in my book, of course!

[@nonyabusiness2510]

he doesn't even come close to Colm.

[@cozycows]

Tbh I don’t like Alfie Boe as jvj, but I may just be Too Used to colm Wilkinson. I tend to like what I’m most used to (aside from Michael Ball, I just don’t like his voice ig. Sorry, I’m basically just dunking on your favs!😅)

[@RFazor]

I say Alfie n Colm are equal

[@wrestlingexcellence2590]

@@RFazor fair enough!

[@JaneDoe-im6fe]

I saw this live. The first time Michael Ball started singing I kinda had a fan girl moment. I had wanted to hear him sing live since I was a little kid and it was a dream come true. I got goosebumps when Michael and Alfie sang.

[@kayr805]

ik hearing michael ball for the first time is so magical

[@elisabethandersson7483]

My sister and I saw this at Gielgud Theatre, London, August 28th 2019. A memory for the rest of our life!!

[@amandaleighclauser9154]

I have been a fan of Michael Ball since I was 5 years old. I'm in my late 30s and he still has that presence and voice that still gives my adoration for him.

[@kaykeoliveira4481]

This prologue is so powerfull and amazing that I cannot describe how I feel watching it.

[@RFazor]

The greatest musical prologue of all time from the greatest musical of all time!

[@Thomas_H._Smith]

Earl Carpenter's buttery smooth voice as the Bishop of Digne is the most underrated part of this whole production.

[@nicolebezeau1174]

i know right!? I had the privilege of seeing his Javert live in Toronto 10 years ago! Hard to believe he can portray two very different vocal performances so beauitifully!

[@captsamsung]

I think Eric Carpenter is super underrated in general! I always love and appreciate his appearance on screen (whenever they record the stage productions).

[@elisabethandersson7483]

Mr Carpenter has a wonderful, clean baritone 🎼🎵🎶🎶🎵

[@zappedreviews3647]

I have been in love with this show for at least 12 years at this point - and no matter how many times i watch it this opening always gives me CHILLS

[@amangogna68]

The most fantastic musical ever ! ❤

[@johnmerklein3451]

This musical is absolutely superb. But, Phantom still rules!

[@N0M0PH0B1A]

After seeing les mis live in the west end I immediately found and listened to the soundtrack over and over and, not even knowing this show was the one i've listen to since then, found this video. I was genuinely so happy when I realised it was the cast I knew from the soundtrack.

[@MargaretBlake-t3w]

The best musical ever the music is amazing and all the cast are so amazing love it seen it several times

[@tigerzclaw3152]

my favorite prologue out of any les mis it’s so good!

[@williamfairchild7439]

Nice to see the full prologue from Les Misérables The Staged Concert

[@macyinthemist]

This is great! Will you continue to post more of this edition? Or even the full show, like with the Phantom? I would love to see it!!

[@kimberleygomersall9752]

the best musical

[@morgdaforg]

yall please i have 2 more musicals i have to get through before i get to take my part in a production of this masterpiece

[@OmegaEMP16]

Took my FLiiiIIiīīìGIiiiIIiIIhyte!!!

[@elliott4106]

Is it me… or is Ball’s rhythm/ timing out in parts of this? I don’t mean deliberately back-phrased, I mean like he almost can’t keep up…

[@cooper6381]

I believe you’re right. This one was so fast. But Michael Ball reminds me of Christopher Jackson in Hamilton. They both mess around with the rhythm, and it isn’t horrible, but it isn’t what’s written either. It’s much different in the first bits of Javert’s Soliloquy where he slows it down.

[@estevanproductions2064]

I noticed he played with the tempo a little. I honestly think Jean Valjean is at fault for why the interaction felt awkwardly slow He didn’t hold out any of his notes.

[@WEDurhamPE]

I love this performance.

[@wardrobespice]

Love Love Love ❤️ ❤❤

[@michaeljavert4635]

Wish you posted the whole thing, but maybe it's best you didn't, if they butchered the rest of it.

[@PaulaTroncoso-jj8ds]

Maravillosooo me deleita mi ser .....❤❤❤❤ Los ame....dede chile envio mis aplausos!!!!!!

[@naastyaaaaaaaaa]

BB❤

[@DemonTomatoDave]

How do they do it? How do the official channels for musicals manage to upload in mono?

[@henriklindholm7007]

Which production is this? I thought it was 25 anniversary when I saw Alfie, but Norm Lewis was Javert there

[@PS-DLMA]

2019 staged concert

[@INspectre691]

1:49 did the guy in the middle know he was gonna spit on his foot????

[@nonyabusiness2510]

he didn't spit on anyones foot.

[@INspectre691]

@@nonyabusiness2510 the guy on the middle guys right definitely spat on or around his foot

[@Yo-Me]

Is that Michael Ball?

[@GA-zx1nh]

It definitely is, I was like... Which version is this

[@williamfairchild7439]

@@GA-zx1nh The Staged Concert from 2019 and it was filmed at the Gielgud Theatre in London on Saturday 30th November and Monday 2nd December

[@jenniebackman]

Yes

[@Lukeyboy3001]

Jean valjean is Alfie boe

[@judithhickey6936]

Alfie Boe snd Colm Wilkinson both r great as Jean Valjean.

[@PaulaTroncoso-jj8ds]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@asianstamp]

Which edition is this one? What year was this filmed?

[@pontypeter]

25th anniversary concert version at the O2 arena, 2010

[@williamfairchild7439]

The Staged Concert from 2019 and it was filmed at the Gielgud Theatre in London on Saturday 30th November and Monday 2nd December

[@cattatra]

@@pontypeterI'm pretty sure its not that one, though that might be the same actor as Jean Valjean

[@K3MPS1]

Yeah, it's the staged concert from 2019. The 25th anniversary has Norm Lewis as Javert

[@jenniebackman]

The Staged Concert

[@jackiespeich.sport2001]

Can we get this concert on DVD or any streaming service?

[@teresahicks5737]

It's on amazon video streaming servise

[@speedyturtleproductions7537]

ValJean kind of looks like Ian from Smosh

[@thattheatrenerd1418]

Hahahahahaha I’ve seen Alfie Boe (he is Val Jean) 3 times and now that you say that… yeah i totally see it and am never gonna unsee it!!

[@jessicamacallister9272]

They skipped a part.

[@kaylahensley1581]

Alfie Boe is my favorite Jean Valjean.

[@havehope646]

To phantom to Cats

[@callietoh1226]

Omg is there the full show please

[@hananarnold]

Sky arts.

[@Smith559]

Is this a new Anniversary Concert??

[@williamfairchild7439]

This is The Staged Concert from 2019 that was on at the Gielgud Theatre in London

[@Smith559]

@@williamfairchild7439 thanks

[@williamfairchild7439]

@@Smith559 you're welcome and it was filmed there on Saturday 30th November and Monday 2nd December 2019

[@ganglimsheep]

오 8분 전

[@callietoh1226]

Where is this filmed?

[@thattheatrenerd1418]

This was in London, was able to attend it. Can’t remember the theatre but it was a small west end theatre (Saying this as a guy from NY Broadway theatres are in general bigger if I’m not mistaken.)

[@Marculator]

It was either the Gielgud or the Sondheim theatres. This was the concert during lockdown I believe and was staged at both as one of the theatres was being renovated.

[@Marculator]

I think, looking at it it was the Gielgud, that was where this cast was on as well so that makes sense

[@dealpianolucy]

Alfie Boe is great in Les Mis.

[@scottkuhn7435]

The convict soloists forgot they are chorus. The overacting for one sung line has gotten progressively worse over the years.

[@edwardjones2129]

Give them a break, I'd do the same thing if it was my only line in the whole show 😂

[@krypticpanda6670]

Heaven forbid singers sing and add flair

[@nonyabusiness2510]

I'm guessing you never saw the show live.

[@scottkuhn7435]

​@@nonyabusiness2510 I've seen it a dozen times. Not sure what that has to do with my comment. Listen to original broadway recording and tell me I'm wrong.

[@judithhickey6936]

That's your opinion. Doesn't mean it's true!!!!.

[@ForeverKnight71]

Wow, this is bad. 😬

[@edwardjones2129]

It isnt bad, they just are trying new things with the rhythm and pacing due to the fact that this musical has been performed so frequently.

[@ForeverKnight71]

@@edwardjones2129 It's bad.

[@nonyabusiness2510]

@@ForeverKnight71 not as bad as your opinons.

[@ForeverKnight71]

@@nonyabusiness2510 Oh, so clever! 🙄

[@crackerjack3762]

What exactly is wrong with this performance?

[@alexkrycek3359]

This is appalling 🤣🤣

[@Stardiplomaticincident]

No it’s not… this is probably the best version of les mis

[@alexkrycek3359]

@@Stardiplomaticincident it’s a mess. It’s far too fast, Ball is completely miscast. Dreadful

[@Stardiplomaticincident]

@@alexkrycek3359 wow. Two very mid reasons for why something is ‘appalling’ how very innovative. The song doesn’t have to be extremely slow for it to sound good. Also, when it comes to musical theatre, it doesn’t matter if the actor looks like their character or not as long as they can sing well. The actor of Enjolras in this show doesn’t look like his character, Enjolras is supposed to be blonde, short, bespectacled and clean shaven. However no one complains about him because he sings the role perfectly.

[@alexkrycek3359]

@@Stardiplomaticincident yet I’ve seen the show over 100 times in multiple countries and practically every West End cast since the late 90’s and Ball is up there with Jerome Pradon as the most miscast I’ve seen. Not just appearance, but voice, acting choices. Everything. The MD being on speed is really not helping

[@Stardiplomaticincident]

@@alexkrycek3359 and yet he got cast for this and others didn’t. Many people greatly enjoy his performance as him (including me, he is one of my favourite actors in the role) and most people greatly enjoy this rendition of the song and show, making yours an unpopular opinion