Who Sang the "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" Bridge the Best?

[@LaundryFaerie]

I like Redmayne's performance. Doesn't matter to me that he wasn't belting or that he "couldn't sing" the notes in full voice (as I'm seeing people complain). His performance makes me believe that he's actually *listening* for the voices of friends he'll never see or hear again. Nobody else sounds like they mean that line -- they're too busy belting it out to hear anything else.

[@kentahagiwara3006]

Well granted that performance isn’t really for Broadway... if it weren’t in a movie setting people would just say it’s bad because he’s not that great of a singer

[@saphira4366]

I guess that's the difference between a movie, where the focus is on emotion etc. and people will still hear you when you're whispering your lines, and a broadway performance, with more focus on great singing and belting. I like both.

[@romyr6846]

I love eddies rendition!!

[@ryandowney7211]

It's hard to compare his performance to the others, because even though Les Mis is a stage production set in the style of realism, the intention of the film was to make it as realistic as possible. He's distraught and in shock in the movie, so he's not belting in close ups. It wouldn't make sense... also since they filmed it all live. He gives a great performance, singing may not be amazing, but again he's playing the character in a completely different medium haha

[@bunnymad5049]

@@kentahagiwara3006 He's not that great "a" singer. You Americans and your "of" in all the wrong places and not belting it out doesn't mean he can't sing. It takes far more physical control, vocal flexibility and skill to do what he did. Anyone can yell.

[@Euphman06]

You can hear Eddie's survivor's guilt. The rest treat it as anger, but he is very reflective, emotionally unstable and withdrawn.

[@rideoutsean]

You wanna see survivor's guilt? Watch Andy Mientus. I think there's a video recording of him out now.

[@kagebunshin4380]

But it can be anger too. Anger at the futility of it all, anger at the circumstance, at loss.

[@davidadams2395]

Where in Ball's performance is anger expressed? I could feel and hear only torment, guilt, and the weight of such loss. I love Redmayne as an actor, but I wasn't fond of his singing in the movie. I really didn't care for Les Misérables being adapted to film.

[@mskimyu]

Eddie's performance is appropriate for the screen only, the shot is very close to his face so a head voice is enough to showcase the emotion, along with his face, it's more primarily acting - secondary singing. It's different from musicale theatre, which is more "CHARACTER SINGING" (in case you dunno) - the voice is being showcased more to give out the current state of emotions. While on the musicale stage depicts an agonizing, despairing, miserable matured Marius conflicted with love and nationalism- the movie depicts a wallowing Marius who is in love and lost his friends. And, yes, Eddie will really stood out since he's the only one who made the movie. The rest, except for the crying jonas, portrays the Character Singing and Vocally Acting Marius, most especially, Michael Ball. So, Ball is the best for me.

[@Umm.Art0]

I love how Eddies was so different from the rest. Instead of belting the high notes, he used his head voice which gave it this emotion, which should be appreciated.

[@oliverdelica2289]

But you can belt and act at the same time?

[@trenae77]

The beauty of Eddie’s is that since it was film he could offer more subtlety than a live performance allows. That being said, all had their own individual merits and were well done.

[@meggypeggy9142]

I like it but I think its more effective when Marius is more angry at that part of the song. He thinks it's unfair that he lived and they died. I think it makes him more emotional to belt it

[@jovaliantproductions]

@@meggypeggy9142 I always thought the next part is where he would be the angriest

[@jaybonn5973]

It should but that doesnt save the musical

[@georgiasmith8433]

Chris McCarrell is literally so under appreciated as Marius

[@Slay96866]

Georgia Smith gotta love good ol Percy jackson

[@deannahayward4600]

YESSS !!! He was amazing.

[@beast65]

he's just a good kid a good kid whos had a bad run

[@doreman0365]

Omg I’m so used to him as Percy Jackson that I was blown away that he could nail Marius 🤩

[@Mark_E_M]

I have a problem with the people who don't sing this song with the proper emotion, like they don't think of the words they are saying! It's a song about a guy who just lost MANY friends that were killed for standing up for what they believe in. My 2 favorites: Eddie Redmayne and Michael Ball.

[@burntrosechick]

Saaaaame, Ball gave me shivers...and despite the different medium...Eddie sung in his head voice because he didn't have the range chest voice apparently. Which I've see used plenty of times on stages locally. It's effective and evocative in such a way. I'll never forget the first time my singing instructor complemented our children's choir, and then lead with, "but it means nothing without heart. It's like when you apologize, you have to feel it, mean it."

[@samb3209]

Michael Ball is just 👏👏👏

[@paufabrega3476]

What about ramin

[@essirintala294]

Eddie may not be the best singer but there's raw emotion in his performace

[@paulhayday8212]

Yes!

[@miyaatherton8326]

I honestly cried when I heard Chris McCarrell's version. It's sung so beautifully but it also holds so much emotion. I feel like he deserves more recognition ❤

[@katliutoo]

It's not really fair to compare Eddie Redmayne's version to the others, as it was for a different medium. What's effective for a movie wouldn't necessarily be effective for a stage. For the stage versions, my vote is for Hadley Fraser.

[@kimmychan1967]

Exactly

[@sethbondi8479]

That is so period, I love everything thing he did, except for the word “barricade”, but other than that, he was the best out of all of them!!

[@gregghanson6095]

EXACTLY right!!

[@dawnballard4553]

Well, then you have to separate the concerts (Ramin and Colm) from the performances, cause that is a totally different performance.

[@gregghanson6095]

@@dawnballard4553 agree

[@klaeverfamily]

Eddie Redmayne gave the most emotional performance, and his vocal control is amazing as well. He shows what the song is about, and that's why I like his the most.

[@dumbdumb8526]

I like how the Les mis movie had the best emotion out of all these singer comparison thingies (other than Eponine, Lea Salonga, IS Eponine and should’ve been casted). Honestly, I’d take emotion over perfect singing any day

[@JoshWitte]

Yeah, but did you see him in Jupiter Ascending 😬

[@userhasnousername]

@Alex Arand I think he could've if he wanted, but the emotion proved to be more important for his interpretation, as is with the rest of the cast in the movie lol

[@epo1980]

You obviously never heard it from a real singer.

[@viktorhammering6102]

I agree to some degree, he is doing it in a movie where he can “get away” with dropping the biiiig “the very words that they have sung”.

[@ariespharaoh747]

My answer to everything is usually Ramin, but in this case it has to be Michael Ball, his was the first time I actually cried at the song. But Hadleys though...beautiful

[@saintmikhaiellawilliam8021]

that's not fair RAMIN is singing it in his own style (given that he sang it in a concert/show), rather than playing the character marius (which obviously would be different)

[@ariespharaoh747]

@@saintmikhaiellawilliam8021 that's fair but even with that in consideration my favourite versions are Michael's and Hadley's

[@saintmikhaiellawilliam8021]

@@ariespharaoh747 ohh, i love Hadley too...maybe if the clip of ramin singing was during a theatre run then we could compare..

[@littlecricket3140]

@@saintmikhaiellawilliam8021 I agree. Had there been a sound bite of Ramin actually in character he might have compared better. As it is I do agree with Aries Pharaoh, Michael and Hadley although I would say Hadley and Michael.

[@littlecricket3140]

@@ariespharaoh747 I did not think it was fair. He was out of character. On the other hand I do believe even if he was in character it would be Michael and Hadley, yet to me, Hadley a little more.

[@abbeybercasio2283]

When I watched Eddie Redmayne’s scene in the movie, I ugly cried. Made me realise the real meaning of “empty chairs and empty tables”. But on the stage, it’s Michael Ball for me.. his tone and his expression are perfection. He has these eyes that always seem to be crying...

[@Waterunleashed]

Michael Ball hands down. The way that the song fills his chest create a sound that the others can’t beat.

[@MrsEJV]

Waterunleashed I absolutely love Michael Ball. Not just his voice - the whole person. But I loved him playing Javert in the movie - it was simply a cameo, totally wrong for the part - and I loved it. Javert does NOT have dimples, everyone knows that! Alfie admitted to struggling to keep a straight face at times. They are such obviously good friends. I've seen the show enough that the only one who grated on me was Nick Jonas. He made my teeth ache.

[@roserankin6441]

You hit the nail on the head!! The song does fill his chest!

[@sunny70299]

There is something about the way the orchestra rises with his voice that gives me shivers. I've never seen anyone other than Michael Ball manage to get that much power behind those lines.

[@PippaAT]

@@sunny70299 Have you heard Jonathan Antoine sing it? He wasn't part of the show, but watch it on youtube and give yourself a treat. x

[@sunny70299]

@@PippaAT yes he did a good job

[@leonardmarianino4556]

Michael Ball has the best voice for Marius. Commanding tenor.Eddie Redmayne for acting .

[@undead.rising]

Michael Ball is a very strong/high baritone.

[@corneliarobinson656]

To loud.

[@elliehopesuzanne]

Yes Michael Ball Michael Ball Michael Ball Michael Ball!! He is amazing! He's also such a sweet person! I met him last year and he's... I can't think of the right words, but he's like an excited puppy! 😂🤩

[@craigk621]

@@corneliarobinson656 turn the volume down then 🐈

[@littlecricket3140]

So I'm going to make all you all mad. I think Michael is great but my pick is Hadley. There I said and now I feel free.

[@epo1980]

michael ball. either he sings loud with energy, or quietly with pain, expresses the best. and i kinda lke his voice better than the young guys. not because his older, but because these young guys just not as good as he is.

[@ilsaruthen5478]

Michael has a warmth to his voice that sets him apart from all the other singers. Many of them sound alike, but you always know when you're listening to Michael. His voice is unmistakable.

[@laurelsferrazza]

Michael Ball is a National Treasure!!! His rendition of Empty Chairs at Empty Tables is incomparable 🙌🏼

[@joc_tamai]

0:00 Ramin Karimloo (2013) 0:27 Chris McCarrell (2015) 0:56 Andy Meintus (2014) 1:23 Fra Fee (2012) 1:52 Eddie Redmayne (2012) 2:20 Colm Wilkinson (1997) 2:42 Andy Coxon (2012) 3:00 Johnny Purchase (2013) 3:23 Adam Jacobs (2007) 3:48 Jon Robyns (2009) 4:15 Gareth Gates (2010) 4:42 Nick Jonas (2010) 5:07 Michael Ball (1995) 5:33 Craig Mather (2011) 5:50 Scott Garnham (2011) 6:07 Alistair Brammar (2011) 6:22 Hadley Fraser (2002)

[@rhiannongrace5046]

2:42's Andy Coxon!

[@tatianabarreto1613]

3:00 Johnny Purchase made my heart clench

[@mzpatintexas8329]

Add Jonathan Antoine to your list. If you haven’t heard of him , check out his U-Tube site .... Jonathan Antoine.

[@terryehanlon3574]

Michael and Hadley Fraser. I loved Eddie Redmayne in the movie.

[@Midalah]

Hadley Fraser, Ramin Karimloo, and Michael Ball. Though Ramin will always be Enjolras for me more than anything.

[@gomidorrewennoster1825]

Midalah ✊🏽

[@kyleburgess2834]

He’s my favorite Valjean.

[@ruiyanzhu3290]

RAMIN IS ENJOLRAS NO OBJECTIONS ACCEPTED

[@laurenvalencia_6]

kimsala76 they were both in the Phantom of the Opera together. Ramin was Phantom and Hadley was Raoul!

[@lexiel920]

Easily my favorite Enjolras

[@ВикторияЛучкова-ы6п]

I love Ramin so much. He has such a beautiful voice. But, he's not Marius. He's a great singer, but not Marius. It's not his role. Who is the best performer of the role of Marius? Andy Mientus! Damn it, what a voice !! Amazing combination of strong vocals and beautiful timbre. His performance of the song is the strongest, professional and emotional. I love Andy in this role very much. Andy is Marius. They are all magnificent. But nobody can compare with Andy.

[@quinnbenz987]

he's more of a valjean/enjolras than marius

[@abialston8476]

Виктория Лучкова he’s phenomenal

[@cosettethompson7028]

toby miles can compare to him tho 🤠🤙

[@nicolasgralewicz4727]

Andy is incredible! It's a shame a lot of people know him as Michael Arden's husband who "only got a role in Spring Awakening because his husband directed it"

[@elizabethcalland-brooke1132]

Him as the phantom of the opera 🤩🤩

[@woobond273]

Michael Ball will always be the benchmark. Love Colm Wilkinsons version, his voice is so special. Eddie Redmayne has actually 'acted' and added passion to the words. I actually cry when I hear his version.

[@WOWitsANT]

Michael Ball is literal perfection. He was in the dream cast for a reason. Also... I never knew Adam Jacobs played Marius. He sounded great as well.

[@kristenholloway8057]

I'd love to hear Adam sing it now, I heard him live last year at Disney and I think his voice has matured SO much

[@gigigiooo]

Wow I didn’t understand the emotions required for this song that you guys were talking about until Michael Ball came up on the video. He got it. I even got goosebumps.

[@madisonkramig4121]

I feel like you can’t fully appreciate Chris’s rendition of this song without listening to the “my friends, my friends don’t ask me” part.

[@lesham4616]

YES ABSOLUTELY THAT PART GAVE ME SUCH CHILLS HE NAILED IT

[@denvastevens4337]

Absolutely no one can come up to Michael ball. They are all good which shows what a master Michael is.

[@kaitlinmoore7913]

y'all sleep on chris mccarrell!

[@kaitlinmoore7913]

an intellectual !! his marius just seems so much more boy-ish and in my opinion it makes this song so much more emotional

[@elizabethmaloney2239]

Definitely my favorite no tea Ramin

[@ic2513]

he was hitting them damn notes 👏🏾

[@Slay96866]

Gotta love good ol Percy jackson

[@jaidenmarquez8245]

HONESTLYYYYYY

[@bluejaesplus]

I think they all have amazing voices, but the most Marius Marius to me is Andy Mientus. He fit his role and i felt like he really portrayed this love struck, awkward boy who get hardened by the cause and reality of it. I felt like so many of them sounded like their voice was somehow strained but not in the way the character should have just like a tightness? They all did so amazing though

[@spacebum]

Some great performances, a couple not so great, but the best was the original Marius, Michael Ball.

[@sarahpalmer2212]

Yes! He is the one who first made me fall on love with Marius!

[@ioioiotu]

Just lol at people here preferring Eddie over Michael Ball. They must be tone deaf.

[@isissarmiento9995]

Yes! His acting and singing skills are perfect for Marius

[@FluffyCakes79]

Totally agree! He IS Marius - all others followed in his footsteps.

[@sunny70299]

I almost wish they had included his versions from the Original Cast Recording (when he was 23) and the Complete Symphonic Recording (when he was 26) side by side with his 10th Anniversary version (33) just to compare how he did it each time. If his voice and performance changed any over the years.

[@kuroro4958]

It’s amazing how different actors can create a new image and interpretation for Marius. I always imagine him to have such great boyish charm but a strong voice seeing as he is one of the student protesters and he really carries himself with so much confidence. But my all time favorite would always be Michael Ball, the original Marius. He has such an amazing voice and he really made me fall in love with the character. 💛

[@jc_ny5018]

Thank you for posting this. Without a doubt, Michael Ball IS Marius Pontmercy. He owns this song. The other gentlemen are lovely, but no one else has ever come close to Mr. Ball as Marius.

[@tomdaviesathome24]

Acting - Eddie. Voice - Michael. Fit for character - Andy. Why oh why did they ever think to cast him?... Nick 😂

[@joeypotter6051]

@@shailenewilcox1415 I remember going into the cinema to watch the 25th Anniv edition, and looking at the programme and buzzing that Lea Salonga was playing Fantine (I'd seen her as Fantine on Broadway and had been raving about it ever since) and then I have this vivid memory of seeing Nick Jonas listed as Marius and being like "oh....well, I don't know what he'll be like, I'm going in with an open mind..." He was average at best and then didn't even attempt the belt in Empty Chairs (which I'm grateful for in a way) and I was like "NOPE." I've seen him do some good work as an actor but he doesn't have the voice for this.

[@roserankin6441]

@@joeypotter6051 Nick Jonas had a softer voice, compared to the others. At times he looked like he was straining, in the 25th anniversary video. He needed to sing and act stronger.

[@ianluk6385]

@@roserankin6441 he doesn't have the capability to do that. He doesn't have the training he would need to do either of those things. Acting alone, sure, but acting while singing and through singing, hell no. Dude can barely hold a solid tone, you think he can ACT while he does it?

[@oohbaguette299]

I love Nick, but he looks like he is holding an invisible box the whole performance 😂

[@sethbarton6530]

I hate when people rush over the chromatic alteration on "now." It's such a beautiful note and some people just throw it away. Best note of the song and one of the best in the show

[@geowynleda4641]

There is only one Marius, Michael Ball. He set the standard others can only hope to reach.

[@AIRIKSN666]

I honestly like Eddie’s the best. He went falsetto on the high notes. A lot of people think that if a guy has to go falsetto for a note then that means they’re weak. Not at all. I felt that eddie’s hit for me in the fuckin heart the most.

[@dennismood7476]

For this particular piece of music , the most disciplined and strongest voice is not required. That's why Eddie's version made such an impact. It gave the most emotion rather than a "cultured " resonating voice

[@jonathanm.9801]

Christian Erickson I think he also sang it falsetto because it worked for the movie. A lot of the other people had to sing this for either a musical setting or a vocal performance in front of a big crowd, which forces the performers to be big and dramatic for the audience to really feel the emotion. Eddie had the ability to record this in a studio, which would be able pick up more subtleties. I don’t think it was a matter of “showing their manliness and power” as to why the others performed the climax in chest voice. I’m not saying any performance was better or worse, but I just think the choice of singing falsetto for this depends on context as well!

[@TheXLAXLimpLungs]

@@dennismood7476 I think in terms of quality of voice, that johnny purchase or whoever did the best but as a whole with emotion etc I think eddy was pretty good if not the top

[@rachelrourke5538]

@@jonathanm.9801 I believe I watched interviews with the director and actors, stating they sang straight to the camera. It was not recorded and then done in voice over. The director chose to do it in that way, for the raw emotional performance to come through on screen.

[@lukestarford7608]

Rachel Rourke yeah. The person directed it. Chose to the whole film in live action. Meaning no voice over at all. ( it what got them the opportunity to actually make a movie of it. ) Apparently, they did 25 takes. ( most of them were in a row. )

[@v_oaklyn1127]

I love Eddie’s as it is so vastly different. I agree his use of his head voice and control makes for a more emotional performance of the song.

[@CocoCrispieeee]

As a vocal coach and voice teacher, I can say that Michael Ball sang the song the best and most correct way. His diction, timbre and quality were the best. Andy Mientus’ was the second best, especially knowing that his voice doesn’t usually allow for this type of song. He’s more of a pop singer (hence his being on Smash.) The third was Hadley. Again, like Michael, he was trained vocally for theatre and broadway, so that shouldn’t surprise me. Andy is only higher purely because of the emotion that was exuded at the apex moment. The worst were anyone who pronounced too much R in hear and too much A in became and didn’t put a dictatorial space between the T in at and the D in dawn. There should be definite space between those two words.

[@ilsaruthen5478]

If Michael Ball sang the song the best and most correct way it was purely by instinct. He often mentions that he's never taken voice lessons - basically just learned on the job.

[@sunny70299]

Michael Ball is actually not trained vocally at all, which makes his performance even more jaw dropping.

[@woodturningguru8857]

Michael Ball Is by far the best hands down.

[@tonyscheinman3538]

I have to give the prize to the original Marius Michael Ball ... he set the standard and very few others have reached it.

[@emilylee7940]

Eddie for reality and heart wrenchingness. Michael for sheer beauty and greatness.

[@reganellewhite]

i think andy mientus is probably my all time favourite marius, however, i also love chris mccarrell’s performance, he’s amazing, fra is so precious i love him (even though he sounds more like an enjolras), eddie was brilliant as marius his emotion is incredible, and of course, michael ball will always be one of my favourite mariuses

[@jaimeesummer5334]

I know Fra Fee irl! He's so talented

[@Mesozoic_mammal]

I had the chance to see Chris live. He was amazing, a brilliant combination of voice and emotions. First time I really felt Marius emotions and pain.

[@sarahtatianaalampay9752]

DEFINITELY hadley fraser or michael ball. i love ramin but nothing will ever beat his performance as enjolras.

[@roserankin6441]

Michael Ball for sure. Ramin was a fantastic Enjolras!!

[@TimeandMonotony]

Agreed.

[@bananenneus1540]

@@roserankin6441 yeeeees

[@livissupercool2768]

Everyone’s saying Eddie and I so respect that but oh my gosh Chris McCarrell really showed how he was still a kid at heart especially when he changed to sing “at the lonely barricade, at dawn”. He sung it so well and maybe I’m being biased because I love him but I really think he was one of my favourite Marius’.

[@deedragongirl]

I feel like slapping Nick across his face and saying "WRONG! SING AGAIN!"

[@billserrani]

He’s a rock singer, not a theatrical singer. different voices

[@elenaescobar3308]

@@billserrani he began in theater

[@billserrani]

elena escobar Thanks I stand corrected..

[@madisonharrill1935]

elena escobar well to be fair he was only a kid then. After years of not using that style of vocal technique, you prob lose it some. I’m not an expert just my idea lol

[@AgFish86Zip90]

Oh good, I was not the only one thinking that. He had worked with a vocal coach when he was cast as Marius for the 25th Anniversary production. I had to increase the volume of the tv to hear him.

[@estherrosi-kessel5192]

Eddie, Chris, and Andy ❤️ honestly I’d watch Eddie Redmayne play anyone I love him so much

[@anyonefromateezorscarlett6735]

I agree

[@danyxy4077]

Definetely Michael Ball, love him as Marius

[@ohnoimsam9634]

Just wanna thank you for putting Michael right after Nick so we can recover

[@darladack]

All great voices - but no one can beat the original Marius: Michael Ball!

[@paulaeasterling4054]

Michael Ball, Michael Ball, Michael Ball any day and every day. Saw him in the original cast what was amazing. The 10th anniversary is by far the best. The film Eddie Redmayne, Anne Hathaway, hugh Jackman where fantastic as as a film, but oh dear it was so let down by Russell Crowe his voice is to weak. There all good but not as amazing as Michael Ball, Ruby Henshaw, lea Salonge, and the rest of the 10th anniversary. Thank you for reading

[@jonc3295]

It's Ruthie, not Ruby

[@QueenofSnarks]

@@jonc3295 It's also Henshall and not Henshaw!

[@carollund8251]

Yes Michael Ball forever.

[@samb3209]

10th anniversary is such an iconic cast! Also my absolutely favorite Javert

[@paulaeasterling4054]

@@samb3209 absolutely crow just kills it. He's meant to hard and ruthless and crows voice is just so weak

[@gabbyp.9016]

People don't like Nick but let's be honest. Nick Jonas portrayed a young innocent boy who wasn't ready for war well. He has a youthful voice and I'm surprised that he was able to do as well as he did. And Eddie's performance was not live (I have been corrected it was live) as well as in a film, so I wouldn't say it's quite the same. He did amazing none the less, and I want to make it clear that I'm not hating on anyone. All of the performances were very impressive (esp Chris McCarrell omg his is absolutely insane)

[@shaunaclancy8576]

Pretty sure Eddie’s performance is live. Most of the singing in the movie is live.

[@KristenCardinale]

@@shaunaclancy8576 Yes, all the singing in the movie was recorded live on set.

[@Sweetzerlandia]

I actually quite like Nick but when you're putting him up vocally as Marius versus Michael Ball it's just no contest.

[@angellind7162]

Thank you for defending Nick, I totally agree whit you that he sounds more like a boy than a man, which might not fit Marius songs, but his character. I also think he sings good, but not really this genre of music.

[@MrsEJV]

Nick Jonas was the biggest mistake Cameron MacIntosh ever made. I heard him interviewed about it and he was pressured by Jonas’ father, but I can’t imagine anyone holding that amount of sway in the final decision. He was an embarrassment. It’s Michael Ball’s role. When Michael sang Marius in the finale as it should be done it was a cringeworthy moment, comparing him to Jonas. that he congratulated Nick before leaving the stage was certainly gracious of him.

[@nanwijanarko1969]

Eddie was great and I got chills, he was my first Marius. Yes, I am of those millenials introduced to Les Mis thanks to the movie. But I prefer Michael Ball and other 10th cast way better.

[@claireobrien3861]

Oof if you were introduced during the movie. Why are you here.

[@joeypotter6051]

@@claireobrien3861 To learn more about other versions, settle down

[@joeypotter6051]

The 10th Anniversary cast is the definitive cast honestly, I live for that recording

[@jocelynstokes7223]

Oof my first Marius was a teenage boy in a high school production 😂

[@gregghanson6095]

Nan, so glad you have moved on fro the movie. It was a shadow of what this show it.

[@hannahdickson504]

i love Ramin, but honestly his voice just doesn't quite fit the part. Maybe i just struggle to see him play a character that is so drastically different from The Phantom. He definitely lends his voice toward a darker sound which i find doesn't really work with Marius. However saying that, his Enjolras was fantastic.

[@oliverdelica2289]

He did play Marius as an understudy for Hadley Fraser

[@evedixon8586]

Thanks for making this complication. Andy will always be my favorite Marius, but I love Micheal Ball and Chris McCarrel

[@batekush8135]

Marius will always be Michael Ball for me though others sing it very well!

[@rfm231]

Eddie. It's perfect. It will never be performed better, ever, not possible. If I live to 100 and listen to it everyday, every time I'll struggle to not sob.

[@mills7079]

Andy Mientus is vocally superior and brings forth the best emotion in my opinion, his timbre can't be compared. However, Eddie Redmayne's performance in the movie was also brilliant. No matter who plays the part I am brought to tears every time!

[@ToolGirl616]

Eddie Raymond's performance in this scene was one of my favorite of all the movie. His conviction and passion was incredible. I cried

[@mz24601]

Me: "hmm I wonder if Ramin is going to be included." Ramin: *is first one in video* Me: 🤩🤩😍 Also, he just sings it so effortlessly. He doesn't have to strain to get any of the notes out and make them sound amazing

[@reibo1528]

Michael Ball is second to none.

[@DarkAngel40]

While I will always love Michael Ball's performance of "Empty Chairs", I do have to give Eddie some props because he performed it like a man who had just lost everything and everyone he held dear to him. He put a lot of emotion into his performance and it really came across. I wish some performers would do the same.

[@joeypotter6051]

Yes but where was the part where he gets angry at the futility of his friends' deaths? Even leaving aside the belt, it was a letdown in the film that the performance lacked the build to anger and slow resignation of the song as written. I get changing things up - and it worked for I Dreamed A Dream - but this was a fail from the director IMO. (Not blaming Eddie, he did as he was told I'm sure.)

[@Jfad18]

I’m sorry, and I’ll make a blanket statement now, I love Eddie Redmayne. Love him. BUT ARE YOU GUYS ALL ON GLUE?!? While yes his falsetto gives it a new spin on the emotional side, THE BELT is a staple!! It not only important for them to get the hurt, and pain of this loss BUT also the anger of survivors guilt. There’s a power and anger to the belt that makes this number 100% well rounded. Michael Ball will forever have understood this material the best. And if you know the composer Claude-Michel you know he wrote the belt into that for a reason. Eddie did not have the range for that role. Like most people cast in that movie they were just not the right fits.

[@joeypotter6051]

YES YES 10000x YES! I just wrote a rant above about how the movie version of the song has no build in it, it is just sad the whole way through...it needs to be sad and then get ANGRY! My friends my friiiiiiiiiiends... it's devastating. In film I was looking forward to watching Eddie walk around the deserted room, looking at all the actual chairs and tables that were there (as opposed to onstage where one has to use one's imagination) and at that moment to get angry and start kicking chairs and pushing things over and just showing his rage over the futility of his friends' deaths. And then slowly go back to his grief and maybe stand a chair back up and sit down on it and end with his head in his hands. Like there are so many things you can do on film that you can't do onstage and they did none of it. So disappointing. I like Eddie's emotion but the song didn't fire for me in the film, which is a shame because it's usually my favourite song in the entire musical.

[@Jfad18]

Joey Potter Right!!! I mean all these comments saying Eddie is their favorite compared to the dozen or so TRAINED broadway actors, I was floored!! Grief has so many stages and you need to show all of them and Eddie just didn’t hit the mark! Thank you for being on the same page. I was going crazy lol!!

[@marina_Iuna]

I will never understand how you can like the movie. *shudder* Michael Ball will forever be Marius!

[@ProFoolman]

I thought I was losing my mind for a while there, I think people like the movie version because the performances feel safer / watered down for a larger audience, and the emotion can be seen in the face a lot more due to obviously acting for a camera and not a hall so maybe that helps people connect to a character without having to think about musical subtext. Just my guess though personally not a fan of the film, how people can sit through Russell Crowe as Javert is beyond me..

[@joeypotter6051]

@@ProFoolman OMG me too, Crowe was horrific. Perhaps they are not the people who have listened to the 10th Anniversary concert version over and over and over again, and who haven't had the good fortune to see Norm Lewis perform the role live on Broadway (and Lea Salonga as Fantine, just blew me away).

[@mollyandris7036]

Chris McCarrell's version gave me chills! And since everyone is talking about Eddie's version, I'll say personally I don't like his as much. It's supposed to be a big belt out moment and his just stayed the same. I'm also an advocate for casting broadway singer/actors in movie musicals, so maybe I'm just a bit biased haha

[@mollystarczewski1794]

Honestly I personally think that the “bad/ugly” singing in the film made is more raw and believable...it was an actor approach to the song. When I watched the film I was cringing at that vocals at times, but it felt more real to me because it wasn’t about the vocals and more about the story.

[@mariev6108]

Thanks for this compilation vid. Now I can say not only do I like Ramin, Eddie, and Michael Ball but Chris Mccarrell too.

[@lorrainethepain]

I was blessed to have been in London in 1985, a few weeks before the official opening and saw it at the Barbican in late September. I'm kinda partial to Michael Ball, for that reason...

[@DallasARCH79]

Definitely Hadley Fraser or Chris McCarrell

[@moonhowler1]

Michael Ball - I get chills every time I listen to him sing it.

[@annewithane406]

Chills! Thank you! Colm, is brilliant. All are unique and beautiful! Nice work on compilation!

[@Natilra]

Colm Wilkinson and Michael always sound amazing but Hadley Fraser delivers it almost exactly how I would imagine it. Andy Mientus and Johnny Purchase are my runners up.

[@sophiacampos1012]

I met Chris McCarrell after I saw Les Mis with my school in 2016! He is such a genuine kind person with a phenomenal voice!

[@sophiacampos1012]

Shailene Wilcox he’s the best!

[@helenrees1268]

Michael Ball, closely followed by Hadley Fraser. Put simply, anyone apart but Jonas.

[@sunny70299]

I've listened to this through a couple of times now and my number now is still Michael Ball, his voice sends shivers down my spine. Though my fave Michael Ball performance of this song is the Complete Symphonic Recording from 1988. No other Marius has ever been able to sing this song like him...yet (because you never know) Being the creator of Marius he obviously has a connection with the song the others don't. He had to fight for it's inclusion in the final version of Les Miserables we know today, as it was almost cut to save time (yes really!) I read an interview with the orginal Cosette, Rebecca Caine, were she talked about how odd (in a good way) it is to hear actors on stage still sing harmonies and scales and fills the orginal cast improvised in rehearsals 30 years ago.

[@samanthac5761]

Michael Ball. Chest voice without strain, so emotional

[@orlaghniamh]

Andy mientus no need for any questions.. hands down man andy mientus is the best marius

[@Branflakes1522]

I would’ve killed for a cast recording of that cast. Ramin Karimloo, Andy Mientus, that entire cast was perfect

[@lelastompr3114]

Michael ball❤️❤️ he’s got the emotion but still with the power

[@leaf.onthewind]

I really like McCarrell's "beCAME", Mientus's "words", but overall Garnham is my fave :) The best Marius ever still remains the French '91 Jérôme Pradon (listen to Seul devant ces tables vides, you're welcome)

[@AccioMaggie]

definitely chris mccarell! that man is so talented💕

[@lucaskitamura614]

Michael Ball. Such an amazing performance, representing the grief, anger, disappointment and "guilty relief" of Marius. Runner up: Andy Mientus. Eddie is quite a lovely actor, but the singing falls a little short there. Ramin and Colm are amazing, but Marius is just not their role.

[@무화과-li1]

I love ramin karimloo, hadley fraser, michael ball

[@kyraandrea3986]

For vocals, I really enjoyed Karimloo, McCarrell, and Ball. The one caveat is that they don't really embody "Marius" to me - except McCarrell, whose youth makes him a good fit. But Michael Ball's delivery of the song is just iconic, lbr.

[@lauramackenzie1157]

Love Eddie's. His is a film performance not stage like the rest. He is an actor not singer but the power and emotion in his voice is perfect and gets me every time. It's effortless and beautifully done

[@Suspended4thYT]

Michael Ball ... by a country mile. #MrVibrato

[@victoriaodegaard1]

Oooh Scott's voice is so much brighter than a lot of the other voices. It caught me off guard. Chris, Michael... and Alistair, I really liked how he delivered it are my favorites of the stage versions but props to Eddie for holding his own in Les Mis and I want him to stop feeling bad about his voice. He can sing... maybe not broadway belt sing... but his voice is really sweet and on pitch.

[@babygirl4u2nv826]

The best voice Chris Mccarrell best, performance Eddie Redmayne breaks my heart every time!

[@kaiayeoman3669]

*Kind of unrelated but also still related bc it’s about the song :* I’m doing a production of Le Mis (it was postponed bc of COVID19, sad times) as Eponine, and I’m close friends with the dude that’s playing Marius and siehsbsnsnsm let me tell you that this song hits like 10x harder when it’s a friend singing it. Bc my friend is a phenomenal actor and was practically sobbing in it and sisjbebsbsbsbs literally all of the leads were sobbing.

[@captainhysterics9609]

Andy Mientus is the best Marius of all. It's a pity that I posted a video with him later than you did it. Then he would have a video with the performance of this song. And yes, good job)))

[@elliewaters2213]

Even as a kid this was always my favourite song just the mix of beautiful vocals and heartbreaking emotion

[@davidanthony4960]

Michael hands down,.. all the others sound like they came from a "classically trained factory" all sound the same no character.. Michael was not trained like they were.. so he has this edge and slight rough around the edges type voice.. which made it more real and less "forced"

[@sunny70299]

It's incredible to hear THAT voice and know it's never been trained. Just wow Mr Ball *bows down* Even lovely Eddie Redmayne, who I assume is the least experienced on the video had to undergo months of vocal training to prepare for the film.

[@cbrusharmy]

Michael Ball is always the correct answer, kids.

[@songkebongke]

Michael Ball is the best Marius. Great Voice. Colm's is also fantastic! Captivating voices. You could feel every word they say.

[@hapipadi]

1. Adam Jacobs (3:25) - Overall, I think he hit those notes very effectively. I love his tremolo. I also like the contrasting sounds between his fortissimo and pianissimo. Maybe, he can be easily overshadowed by bigger names in this list, but listen to him... 2. Eddie Redmayne (1:52) - His version is so unique and so emotionally connected, because it is in film... unlike the projection required in theater, there is an advantage that he can be heard well even in great modulation, which is really excellent for his voice. I also love the airiness in his sound... 3. Chris MacCarrell (0:29) - Clean execution, great modulation in the end. I was a bit distracted by how he pronounced "dawn". 4. Ramin Karimloo (0:01) - Quite the studly Marius, with a rather studly voice. I love his modulation on the part: "... in a lonely barricade at dawn..." 5. Michael Ball (5:09) & Colm Wilkinson (2:20) - I saw his entire performance of this in the 10th anniversary edition; he has such an excellent voice. Very nice baritone. He just doesn't look like a Marius; more like Marius' dad. :). Also I can't forgive his overacting in "A Little Fall of Rain". Colm Wilkinson has a great voice, not squeaky, but I can't help but mentally cast him more as Jean Valjean. These two singers will always have a place in the history of this musical, though. (Gareth Gates version is not only squeaky, but also what's up with those heavy breathing moments? It's too much acting on vocals. Nick Jonas was not bad, but he had to chop an important line this way: "Became... Their last... Communion..." and that really ruined it for me. Everyone else tends to be just fine, but mostly too squeaky for what I prefer Marius to sound.)

[@adrianacedillo4948]

Nothing beats the original, Michael Ball! He's the best!

[@araw_buwan]

The quality of Andy Mientus' audio is so messed up here, but GOD is his performance heart-wrenching. Seriously, do yourself a favor and watch a bootleg of him as Marius. You will not regret it.

[@practicallyperfect2941]

Eddie Redmayne’s version made me cry - it was so full of emotion and heartbreak. It may not stand against the others in this context but OMG in the film he was amazing! Ramin is an an amazing singer - just so passionate! Michael Ball is amazing too, love him …. but Jones comes last for his performance in the 26th anniversary show - he just couldn’t hold his win against Ramin (or Boe) in that performance!

[@lucyalbaumann]

Acting/character: Eddie Voice: Andy. God he’s so good. Or Johnny.

[@constantinemuse1]

Michael Ball has that feeling and emotion when He sings. He understands the meaning of the song. Another singer who does his best performance of this song, It's Mario Frangoulis.

[@keaton_]

Honestly, Nick Jonas did better than I expected him to. I was expecting a Sebastian-Bach-Gethsemane-level failure, but Nick’s voice actually wasn’t that bad. Clearly not his style, but the innocence and naivety fit the character well.

[@gabbyp.9016]

exactly!!

[@ianluk6385]

Are you kidding? Dude can barely hold a solid tone. "The color of despair" was simply egregious. It might be fine if he could act, but he kept the same damn face on the whole time.

[@MrWill9002]

@@ianluk6385 but wasn't he still a teen at the time? If so, don't fault him for that because remember, Marius was a teen in the book too

[@ianluk6385]

@@MrWill9002 Yeah, and? Pretty sure Marius in the book isn't meant to sing well. Also, Alfie Boe wasn't very old, and NOBODY IN THE BOOK WOULD BE SPEAKING ENGLISH.

[@MrWill9002]

@@ianluk6385 Alfie Boi? I never said anything about that guy. And the point is, Nick seems be getting rather unfair criticism for his performance

[@XprPrentice]

I'm heartened to know that some of these singers have as much trouble with pitch as I do. (I'd forgotten that I sang this attempting to get into the theater department in college. I got in, but it wasn't, I've since found, for my singing...)

[@fatherterry1017]

honestly, i had thought he was an odd casting. but he embodied marius so well and his emotion was addicting.

[@elisabethnerolk2283]

LET THERE BE NO DOUBT WHAT SO EVER ABOUT THE FACT THAT MICHAEL BALL WAS AND IS THE BEST!

[@melissareid640]

Nick, I just love his voice and his passion.

[@HotEmoKaulitz14]

Ball is def #1 Eddie is great with the emotion. I do love Nick Jonas’s version. I LOVE Ramin but he’s absolutely Enjoras

[@cc-do2df]

The emotion in Andy’s voice is what gets me. He has my vote

[@kentahagiwara3006]

Michael Ball is simply unmatched. He’s just the best Marius. Period.

[@duncanevans8937]

Kenta Hagiwara I agree, but Eddie sure comes close, it’s almost like you can feel the pain he’s going through

[@mladdict406]

Yes

[@cindybresaw5294]

period.

[@isissarmiento9995]

Yes

[@kentahagiwara3006]

Duncan Eddie really can’t sing as well as Michael... There’s no close second here