#George Blagden's best role or well I will not

[crowsandmurder]

Sometimes, I look through old Versailles photos and I MISS the epicness of the show with the wardrobe, the drama, the fighting, the brothers, all of it. I need to write him more here. I miss him.

[hoghtastic]

Is it me or is Alex bitching too much about his career. Like of course his career hasn’t taken off compared to some others like Travis fimmel or Alexander Ludwig. But among the late introduced actors in the show he is probably doing the best. He was a lead in that narcos Vikings show, which admittedly wasn’t great esp due to the issues surrounding the set and stuff. He still starred in that show, and he also starred in a show he produced himself, which was popular for a short while in his country. He was the lead in a successful ole bornedal movie and found himself in many small roles. He also got a role in an upcoming movie with a respected Spanish director. It seems like Vikings and the hype he got for his looks really got to his head. George blagden was a major character as well in the show and he didn’t have many notable roles given either apart Versailles. You don’t hear him complaining.

Thank you for sharing your opinion on this, anon! 😊 Personally, I agree with you. It seems Alex's career didn't go the way he expected it would after Vikings, and he almost sounds bitter about it (at least judging from the CC panel), instead of actually expressing gratitude for the opportunities he's actually been given and make the most out of them. 😕

[aromantic-enjolras]

Actors in Les Mis (2012), by me

Huck Jackman (Jean Valjean): Not even trying. Also, I haaaaaate his vibrato, but that’s just me.

Colm Wilkinson (The Bishop): It hurts very very badly to say anything bad about the guy who gave us the best version of ‘Bring Him Home’ out there, but he was badly miscast. He doesn’t have the right range for this role.

Anne Hathaway (Fantine): Less bad than I remembered, still not singing and I hate it.

Russell Crowe (Javert): Gets too much shit. Second best singer in terms of hitting notes in the first third of the movie. Cast in the wrong genre, sounds good when he isn’t trying to sound operatic and failing.

Sasha Baron Cohen (M. Thénardier): Still not my cup of tea. Less cringy than I remembered.

Helena Boham-Carter (Mme. Thénardier): She’s so pretty. Her singing is decent.... I guess.

Isabelle Allen (child Cosette): when the best singer in the first third of the movie is a literal child, you know your musical has issues.

Eddie Redmayne (Marius): Miss Hathaway, learn from your peers. You can emote as fuck, cry on camera and hit your notes. Well done, man.

Amanda Seyfried (adult Cosette): She sounds like a songbird (positive). Definitely learned to sing from his dad in terms of oversung vibrato.

Samantha Barks (Éponine): Learn from the pros, people. I actually thought “well, of course I like her more, she has the first solo of the musical..... wait what” at ‘On My Own’.

Daniel Huttlestone (Gavroche): I like the Gavroche we got in our show better, but he’s decent.

Aaron Tveit (Enjolras): BLORBO. BLORBO BLORBO BLORBO. Also, good singer, but I was mostly vibrating in my seat, I’m not objective here.

Honorable mention - George Blagden (Grantaire): GAY.

[maraschinocheri]

Best of What Could Be, 2020 :: This year obviously did not provide many opportunities for performances for any of the Amis or extended Amis, but there were a few things worth remembering, for all. Fra Fee’s screen career is growing by the day, with big budget films and a role in the Marvel universe on its way. Killian Donnelly was able to enjoy a short run as the Phantom in PoTO’s UK tour before it shut down, appeared with other West End musical stars on television in support of more recognition of the arts in the UK, participated in a few concerts, and of course welcomed baby Tadhg with Louise Bowden. Aaron Tveit got through a bout with Covid-19 shortly after the production of Moulin Rouge shut down with the rest of Broadway, but was later able to do some film work for television, and is the sole nominee for (and presumptive winner of) the Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Tony award this year, for his role as Christian in the show. George Blagden also welcomed a barricade baby this year, little Arlo, with Laura Pitt-Pulford, while also directing his first film, Lara, continuing to narrate audiobooks, working on The World’s Biggest Murder Trial: Nuremberg; and currently celebrating the release of How You Look at Me, and filming Rubikon in Vienna. Hugh Skinner continued to move quietly and well in television projects including The Windsors and Little Birds along with other pieces, and of course providing photo shoots for the ages. Gabriel Vick was lucky enough to perform in London this year with Can I Help You? while supporting multiple mental health and recognition of the arts initiatives.

Iwan Lewis was phenomenally busy this year, running the Barn Theatre in Cirencester, one of the first regional theatres to reopen, with creative safety measures in place and specially-scaled performances for all ages. The Barn also ran virtual performances for most of the year, while Iwan became a leading voice for regional arts companies in the UK (and of course lived at the bidding of Hugo the dog). And my particular extended Amis of interest, Jamie Muscato and Matthew Seadon-Young, found new creative paths while embracing older ones, too; Jamie performed in solo virtual concerts and with the Back Garden Busk, and looked forward to next month’s streaming of Lazarus; while Mat’s photography continued to share brilliant new perspectives and helped raise money for fellow performers via Funds for Freelancers auctions. Raising a glass now in hopes of a vibrant 2021 for all of the above, and for you as well.

[bestnoncannonship]

Alright..I'mma get in on this VC fancasting debate.

As a director, I often have a LOT of opinions on people's casting decisions. A LOT. (Someday, I'll write a novella on Ken Brannaugh's casting.) So as I see a LOT of fancasts casts based on how people look and few based on whether or not the actor can likely handle the role, I'mma throw my hat in the ring. (Warning....the more I write the less technical and more shitposty this is gonna get!) So here you go! The Vampire Chronicles series if I got to cast and direct it!!

The Brat Prince:

Most importantly....we gotta get us a Lestat. And the choice is clear:

Evan Williams: this fabulous shitposting aesthetic trash is as close to the one and only Vampire Lestat as we are gonna get on this plane of existance. He is all charm and quite light in his loafers and a complete mess.......but most importantly, he has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is able to play a character that does inexplicable and morally reprehensible things while still being read as highly sympathetic, likable, and even a hero. That's what I worry about most with Lestat. He really is a very terrible person who doesn't learn or face too many consequences. And he has to be very very very sympathetic. Not just "Oh I Stan that villain" likeable.....but a true hero. And it takes a very. Special. Actor. To pull that shit off. And this is it. This is the guy. He was hired to play an Iago-esque gay villain type in Versailles, STOLE THE SHOW OUT FROM UNDER GEORGE BLAGDEN (no mean feat as Blaggy was giving a hell of a performance) and made his character a beloved icon. Yeah....I trust him to lead a show. I trust him to be Lestat.

Nicholas L'enfant:

Okay not gonna lie I struggled with this one. There was someone else I wanted to see in this role....but I decided he was better employed elsewhere. And this is who I ended up with:

Yep. George Blagden. See...in the grand scheme of things Nikki is a very low-screentime role that has a LOT of impact on the story. And who better to trust with low screentime that the god of grantaires, who took a few small shots and lines and GAVE US A FULLY CHARACTERIZED GRANTAIRE in the Les Mis film. He is very sweet faced, and easy to like, can make being an on screen depressive fascinating instead of dull and has proven time and time again that he is the master of the complete mental breakdown, complete with horrifying but tragic crazy eyes. Also.....he bears a strong enough physical resembles to.....

Louis!!!!:

Our beautiful depressed dark angel with a vampire eating disorder who has no self esteem and is still in love with his abuser needs nuance. He needs soul. And he needs a sweet and delicate beauty. And so:

Alexaner Vlahos!!! The soulful eyes!! The delicate bone structure!!! The slight tones of simmering resentment!!! The ability to play a character that could have become VERY one note VERY quickly with goregeous amounts of nuance and sympathy!!! Vlavla has quite the varied resume. Mordred. Phillipe. Romeo. Captain Hook. To put it lightly he has a LOT of range and the one through line is he is NEVER boring. He plays a lot of roles that could very quickly become boring and one note (Romeo? Captian snooze right there!). But every second he's on screen or stage he is so completely alive in whatever he is feeling. I TRUST him to keep the entirety of Louis's brooding nuanced and fascinating for an audience and to physically and facially convey Louis's very important internal monologue that we will not be able to hear because this version is going to be from Lestat's point of veiw. I toggled with the idea of making him Nikki for a while....but ended up with Louis for 2 reasons. 1) he doesn't need the scripted plot drama Nikki has written in to make a compelling character and 2) he and Williams share such beautiful chemistry. Whenever they're together, even off screen, their focus shifts so that they orbit each other like bianary stars and any director can see that that's something that should be explored and exploited to add demension to the Louis/Lestat relationship and justify why they keep coming back to each other.

(And so ends the Men of Versailles segment of my fancast. So sue me. There's some incredible actors there.)

Let's return with

Gabrielle De Lioncourt:

The incomparable Alex Kingston, lately of River Song fame, though I met her as Elizabeth Corday, and Doctor Corday is driving this casting choice. I wanted an actor who was an appropriate age to play Williams's mother cause we don't fuck with that women are "old" at 30 shit in this house. And she can carry off the kind of "I will not hesitate to kill a man" BDE that Gabrielle requires without trying, but she's also proven herself comfortable and competent with the level of CAMP that VC requires. I can see her easily showing up on set for a few scattered episodes, slipping easily into the verse, and nailing the kind of woman who can put Lestat in his place then run back off to the jungle. Also....that De Lioncourt hair!!!!!

Marius "Daddy" Romanus:

Yep. This fuck. I can hear it now.... "Why isn't he lessssaaaat??? He's so blonde and prettttyyyyy????" Well....mainly because....I ain't sure this lil fuck can run a show as a very despicable but likeable hero yet. He's admirable. A good actor. A great villain. But not a hero and not heroically likeable. Personally, I'm of the opinion that in 10 or 15 years he will have grown into the ability to play something as complex as Lestat with likability....but for now.....DAMN is he a creepy imperial thing. He's got that "My house, my rules" vibe down. He's preditory. He's distinguished. He is Marius. And he's go the best Roman coin profile I've ever seen.

Armand:

N/A

Ok. Controversial decision....but I want to see a complete unknown as Armand. Send casting out to cast a wide net, scour the world for the Botticelli death machine. But definitely don't pull him from the pool of already famous younguns. Because your Armand needs to be deep. Skilled. And primarily UNSPOILED by the school of child acting that is forced upon child actors. (I was a commercial kid and child stage actor. It was terrible.) Go out and get some twinky fresh faced raw talent so you get depth.

Claudia:

N/A

Big old ditto on what I said above about child actors. A nice doe eyed unknown, preferably without a stage mom.

AKASHA:

Yikes. So many amazing choices!!! How do you follow Aliyah??

With literal human perfection Gina Torres of course!!! Again....I wanted to go with an older woman. Someone who would be seen as an authority to all vampires. Someone god damnned goregeous. And someone who I find intimidating. Also, since I'm skewing a little tall with this cast (at least as TV actors go) I wanted someone who comfortably stands among and above most of them! She's a seasond tested actor, and certified badass. And we know she can steal a scene. Besides if she can look regal as a queen in that weirdass dress they gave her in the serenity movie she can pull off whatever monstrosity costumes comes up with to follow the Aliyah getup.

Khayman:

Don't @ me but....I have a LOT of feelings about Khayman. I love his particularly breed of immortal insanity. I love the way immortality drove him mad into a childlike enjoyment and curiosity. And I knew exactly who has to be casted to play that combination of intimidating ancient and innocent curiosity:

This is Howard Charles. He is capable of playing both an intimidating giant and a sweet soulful cinnamon roll at the same time. I cannot sing this man's praises enough. Am I scared of him? Do I want to hug him? Both? He's also one of the best scene SHARERS I've seen on screen in a long time and that's very important in a supporting role.

Maharet:

Just because Anne Rice doesn't know shit about Mesopotamia doesn't mean we have to follow her in that. I wanted to pull from Middle Eastern or Indian populations for her to best reflect the look of the region in a time that's roughly in line with the pre-dynastic Egyptian mish-mosh associated with Akasha.

So I'm gunning for Indira Varma. When I say this woman has timeless beauty.....I mean timeless. She's as prehistorically hot as she is today. And she's such a strong actress, I want to give her a role that isn't 50% sex scenes. She's got both the warmth and the commanding strength to play Maharet. I would ideally like to get a dancer to play Mekare....someone who can handle the physical interp of the role. Probably an Indian dancer to match Indira Varma.

David Talbot:

In the newly declared tradition of Doctors playing Talbot:

This is the only current Gif I could find of Sylvester McCoy. Known to many as the Seventh Doctor. And to many as Ratagast the Brown. He embodies that sort of huffy aging britishness that David projects, but has the over the top personality that can give us those hints of the vitality of David's youth. Basically I can see this man telling stories about hunting tigers in India. Then when he gets the hot young Raglan James Body:

Luke Pasqualino. Swarthy young troublemaker. But for all the youthful good looks, he proved that he was able to play grace and gravitas as D'artagnion in the final season of the BBC Musketeers. I'd love to give him a chance to explore that deeper part. I also trust his ability to match the energy of a cast, which he did repeatedly on musketeers, and portray both the impulsive self aggrandizing Lestat in the Raglan James body and to play the DarkAU Musketeer type that is Raglan James himself.

That's literally all the Gifs I can put in a post. I know I skipped Daniel......but that's because I have surprisingly few opinions on Daniel.......he's very much a vanilla audience connecting character. I'd almost like to see an unknown in that role....just to see what we a new face could make.

And thus ends my casting of the Vampire Chronicles!!

[mermaidsirennikita]

I need to start new period dramas. Can you list your favs like which you recommend most? (Ive seen Reign) Thanks!

Sure!

Spartacus--set in Ancient Rome, obvious during the Third Servile War.  This is actually one of my top... five?  three? favorite shows of all time.  It deserves INTENSE trigger warnings for basically everything--gore, sexual violence, torture.  I will say that a lot of the general gladiatorial violence is purposefully over the top--originally because the show couldn’t afford realistic effects and they were like “fuck it, let’s go OTT and embrace it” and later because it basically was the Aesthetic.  Lots of slo mo and AAAARGGGGGHHHHs!!!!  Also a surprising amount of sensitivity towards the trauma the characters endure.  Like.  This is one of the only shows that I feel deals with trauma correctly for the majority of the characters.  They never really... “heal” in that unrealistic soft way.  But they do live.  It’s also surprisingly diverse, and the female characters are EXCELLENT, both the heroines and the villains.  The villains are so well-done too.  Well-developed without being portrayed as justified or excused.

Rome--set during the rules of the First and Second Triumvirates.  Definitely a “must watch” period piece.  It really set the tone for many that have followed, and few have matched or surpassed it.  It’s great drama, has one of the best female villains on TV of all time. I do really, really dislike its version of Cleopatra.  As a whole.  But I loooove its portrayal of Octavian and Antony, so--what’re you gonna do?

Vikings (season 1-2............................................ maybe season 3 in some spots though that’s still gotta fuck ton of issues)--set in early medieval Scandinavia.  Not a good show now, but I really loved it for the first couple of seasons and I think that those seasons, especially the first two, are still worth watching. Really, the ending of season 2 is quite final in a lot of ways.  So you could watch it like that?  Vikings was an extremely odd and trippy show in the first couple of seasons as well, which I enjoy seeing blended with its period piece setting.  It also has some really cool fight scenes and music.

Medici: The Magnificent--set in early-to-high Renaissance Florence.  Okay, so technically this is season 2 of Medici (the first season is called Medici: Masters of Florence) but season 1 frankly... sucks.  And season 2 has only one or two hold-over actors, and it’s set a couple of decades after season 1 ends.  It is, for all intents and purposes, a whole new show.  I love it.  This is a soapy show, and not every actor is greeeeat but Daniel Sharman is FANTASTIC in it, and so are the villains.  I really can’t emphasize how much I love Daniel Sharman in this role--and not just because he’s hot.  It’s also lovely to look at for the most part.  I really love the men’s costumes on this show too?  And the Pazzi Conspiracy is pretty well done.

The Borgias--set in High Renaissance Rome.  Oh, this show.  I loved it SO HARD once.  And I don’t anymore.  It’s very flawed.  But it’s fucking BEAUTIFUL in some scenes, and while it’s not the way I want the story of the Borgia family to be told, it does have some great moments, and some great performances for that matter.  (They should have let Francois Arnaud go Full Evil with Cesare, but whatever.)  It’s soapy.  There is an actual canonical incest pairing, and it’s played as totally romantic.  So heads up on that.  But this show did shape a part of me, so I can’t totally complain.

The Tudors--set in Renaissance/Reformation/post-Reformation England.  This show is so bad in some parts?  I still refuse to say that Jonathan Rhys Myers is putting on a good performance as Henry VIII. Because I don’t think it’s good acting.  But it’s like.  Entertaining.  There’s a scene where he’s like, trying to pole vault over a pond or something and he’s like “watch me lads this’ll be rad” and he just... ends up in the pond.  I think he gets sick and ends up screaming.  He does a lot of screaming.  But the women are very good in this!!!  Maria Doyle Kennedy and Natalie Dormer kill it in the first two seasons, and Tamzin Merchant is so good at playing up more than just the sexy lil thing role that this show wanted to give Katherine Howard.  She put a lot into fleshing her out.  I would say that the first two seasons are like, fun soapy shenanigans with a few genuinely good beats, and the last two are kinda dull except for when they relate to the downfall of Thomas Cromwell (who is very well played in this show) and Katherine Howard.

The White Queen/The White Princess--set during medieval England.  Do I recommend?  No.  No I do not.  Is it kind of incredibadly watchable at times?  Yes.  These loosely related minseries monstrosities are like, horrible feminism, horrible costuming, and occasionally really fucking good performances.  It’s about the Wars of the Roses (TWQ) and the early reign of Fuckboi In Leather Pants and A Pirate Shirt Henry VII.  Also, Richard III is a goth in this series.  There will be another installment, The Spanish Princess, once again with a whole new cast, very soon.  It will be about Catherine of Aragon.  Supposedly.

Versailles--set in 18th century France.  This does for Louis XIV what The Tudors did for Henry VIII.  But it’s marginally better because George Blagden is a better actor than JRM, and Louis XIV actually seems like he has a brain sometimes, and is generally an evil plotting cocker spaniel with his gay brother.  A typical episode of Versailles is basically Louis XIV having Somewhat Awkward Sexual Tension with said brother as they snipe at each other, until they agree to be friends and rule the French court through psychological manipulation.  Louis gives somewhat an absolutely withering glance.  They commit suicide before him.  Everyone is wearing a mask.  I mean, I have fun with it.  Though there is a VERY CRINGE STORYLINE in the beginning that is based on a VERY CRINGE LEGEND that always makes me hesitate to recommend it.

Alias Grace--set in 19th century Canada.  Essentially, this is a thriller and a period piece.  A doctor learns through a series of interviews about the heinous murders that Grace committed while a servant in a rich man’s house.  I really like this show’s exploration of class divides and women’s relationships with each other.  It’s preeeetty dark.

North and South--set in industrial England.  I always describe this as like...  Pride and Prejudice if Darcy had a more sexual vibe and was more working class, and if Elizabeth was tbh.............................. a bit dumber, if well-intentioned.  I love it.  The smoldering gazes.  The secretive glances.  The classic “woman rejects man’s marriage proposal, man is a broken husk” scene.  It’s great.

The Crown--set in twentieth century England-present.  This is one of the GREATEST DRAMAS EVER, frankly.  Like.  This show takes objectively petty arguments and turns them into something super epic and intense.  It’s all about the strength of the acting and the writing.  There is only one episode in the two (so far) seasons that disappointed me.  Plus, this show looks intensely expensive.  

Peaky Blinders--set in Post WWI Birmingham.  First two seasons ONLY.  But oh, they were great seasons of TV.  This show is about a crime family, and I absolutely love crime family dramas.  It also features Grace Burgess, one of my favorite characters ever.  She is a lady cop who sets out to seduce the main character, head of aforementioned crime family.  For The Law.  That is all.

Hopefully, this is a good starting point--ngl, most period pieces drop in quality after a couple seasons, so it’s hard to give a wholehearted recommendation.  

[racetrackshiggins]

mmmm all of them for les mis :P

i read this and immediately said “jesus fucking christ alec”

but okay, here we go

First song you listened to? i dreamed a dream, iirc

Favorite song? as someone who got to briefly play cosette for a thing, in my life/a heart full of love (objectively not the best ones in the show but DREAM ROLE!!!!!!! AND I SANG THEM FOR AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE so)

Least favorite song? castle on a cloud i guess?

Favorite scene? can i say every scene with my boys? bc yeah, p much every scene with my boys. and cosette. i love her

Least favorite scene? when everyone’s dying lol. more serious answer: the random song they added to the movie, i hate it

First impression of it? WOW SUCH A GOOD SHOW let me listen to it on repeat for a ridiculously long time (this might actually have been the show that started that pattern for me)

Favorite character? cosette and grantaire (you cannot make me choose)

Least favorite character? the factory foreman or bamatabois, i guess

Favorite original cast member? probably rebecca caine, though i haven’t listened to the olcr in a long time

Favorite non original cast member? jan forrellat as marius (DON’T @ ME OKAY), also samatha hill as cosette

Favorite actor portrayal for [insert character]? see above.

Least favorite actor portrayal for [insert character]? honestly one of the only actors i don’t like of the ones i’ve seen/heard is frances ruffelle as eponine

How’d you hear of it? i don’t really remember, it’s been so long

Rating from out of 10? solid 9/10 (mostly bc i still haven’t been able to untangle the baggage from fandom even after 5+ years)

Favorite spoken line? n/a, bc i don’t remember the very few spoken lines in the show

Favorite sung lyric? there are way too many to list tbh, but i really love grantaire’s verse in drink with me, it’s a really great moment***

Dream cast? a random combination of every single production’s casts

Greatest weakness? hmm. i,,, actually can’t think of one atm

If you could change one thing, what would it be? see above

How long have you followed the show? at least since 2008 when i saw my cousin’s hs production, then was in one of my own later that year i believe

Favorite cut thing from previews/prebroadway? i’m going with the movie on this one but ***HOW DARE THEY CUT GRANTAIRE’S VERSE IN DRINK WITH ME, i’m still bitter (but thank you to george blagden for my life - the password is musain)

Favorite change from previews/prebroadway? i think cutting “i saw him once” at whatever stage that was done (between london and broadway i think) was a good choice even though i think it’s lovely

Pre-Broadway or Broadway? really no opinion there but london did have the REVOLVING. STAGE. i miss you already

Have you seen it live? YES i saw the us tour on july 10th, 2012 and it was wonderful. random thing: the set malfunctioned during javert’s suicide

Do you own the cast recording? i own the olcr and obcr as well as many recordings i technically should not have

Do you own any physical merch? i have a shirt somewhere, and my playbill from when i saw it

Unpopular opinion about it? while i thought acting-wise they were both fine, hugh jackman was way worse than russell crowe vocally in the movie. his bring him home is actually painful to listen to (is this still unpopular though??)

Favorite post-canon headcanon? don’t really have any? i just want cosette to be happy, that’s all i care about

Favorite backstory headcanon? also don’t really have any, sorry

Favorite ship? i’m super basic i know, but e/r

[lifestooshortnottobewhoyouare]

Some thoughts on Company (the 21.02.19 matinee)

This was the third time I’ve seen this show and it never ceases to get better. It has quickly become one of my favourite musicals, so it’s high time to write down some thoughts.

Every now and then you get really good tickets for a low price, so I ended up sitting in the second row and needless to say, it made the show all the better (and so much more emotional).

I noticed this the second time already but at the very beginning, some of Bobbie’s friends enter the stage through the auditorium and it’s glorious. The faces of everyone in the stalls realising what is going is the best.

The curtain went down after the first 15 minutes because of technical issues and after a while, it was announced that Mel Giedroyc wasn’t feeling well and her understudy, Francesca Ellis, was getting prepared. She got ready in 10 minutes and she was spectacular. 

After having seen Mel Giedroyc in the role two times, it was also really interesting to see Sarah portrayed differently. The chemistry between the two actors seemed completely different, even though all of the dialogue was obviously the same. I loved it. 

Another Hundred People is one of my favourite songs for a million reasons (the fact that George Blagden sings it not the least of them), but the choreography is what blows me away every time. It’s so beautiful. 

The different couples in the choreography are spectacular. I love how at least half of them are not straight.

I also noticed for the first time that during the song, when all the actors pair off and kiss, there is a group of three people all kissing each other and I love that. 

The conversations that Bobbie has with her three love interests never get less ridiculous and I love it.

Getting Married Today was as funny as ever and I will never get over the priest suddenly coming out of the fridge.

I'm at the point with this show where I'm weirdly proud of people laughing at the funny parts? It's weird but I just love this show so much and I'm so happy it's doing so well?

Patti LuPone was as amazing as always, but do I even need to mention that?

After having seen it three times, I still don't understand the show plotwise and it frustrates me so much. Why are there three birthdays? What do they symbolise? I don't know and I hate it.

As much as I love the Cast Recording, I have to admit I was a little underwhelmed by it, especially by Being Alive, which is my favourite song in the show. I had completely forgotten how emotional it is to listen to this song live, but wow, Rosalie Craig blew me away. Her performance was spectacular and she was actually crying (so much that her mascara was smudged during the finale). It was absolutely beautiful.

She got a standing ovation during the bows and it was so deserved. 

During the bows, all three times I’ve seen it, Rosalie Craig and Patti LuPone have always talked to each other and walked off arm in arm and it’s my favourite thing. 

I will love this show forever and I'm not ready to say goodbye to it but I'm also pretty certain that was the last time I've ever seen it.

[jemsjadependant]

4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 23, 31, 34, 35???

4. The Broadway version, mostly because that’s the one I saw!

5. So Les Mis is my favorite musical, and I honestly don’t know what I’d change.  I guess I’d making the lighting a little brighter (based on the recent Broadway revival and current North American tour productions).  I’m a huge sucker for facial expressions in acting, and I’d want all audience members to be able to see the faces of the cast!

8. Top three Broadway actors (in no particular order): Ben Platt, Aaron Tveit, Michael Arden; Top three Broadway actresses (in no particular order): Christy Altomare, Lea Salonga, Eva Noblezada (also Hailey Kilgore)

12. I’m gonna say both romantic and platonic cause I can’t pick just one lol!  My favorite romantic duo is definitely Peter and Jason from Bare: A Pop Opera, and my favorite platonic duo is Esmeralda and Quasimodo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

13. For Forever tbh (just based on the cast recording as the question suggests, if we’re talking actual staging in the show I’d say Waving Through a Window).

14. Boublil and Schonberg, indisputably.

15. I think it would entirely depend on which Broadway fave I was meeting because they have all had impacts on my life in different ways.  This question is also assuming I would be able to speak coherently, and if I met Michael Arden, I’m not sure I’d be able to.

18. Catherine in Pippin and Sonya from Great Comet.  Or Darlene Watkins in Titanic.  If this is disregarding singing ability/vocal range/gender, then I could also do just about anybody in Les Mis too.

23. So the first one that came to mind is a meta-ish moment that the production of Brigadoon that I’m working on has kind of added in.  Since Jeff is onstage for Almost Like Being in Love for some reason, we have him HILARIOUSLY reacting to Fiona’s entrance when she starts singing, as well as now when Tommy starts singing to him too.  We’ve been in rehearsal for over a month and it still KILLS me every time.  Also the ending of Pippin.  Oof.

31. Get ready folks.  I’m dreamcasting as many roles as I can in Les Mis.  I might use some people who have already played the roles if I have to, but I’ll do my best to not do that.

Jean Valjean: John Owen-JonesJavert: Patrick Page (I know the ages of those two don’t line up with Hugo’s canon but I need it to happen)Bishop of Digne: Colm WilkinsonFantine: Christy AltomareCosette: Denee BentonThenardier: Gavin LeeMadame Thenardier: Jenny Galloway (she is and always will be Mme T)Marius Pontmercy: Joshua GrossoEponine: Ciara ReneeEnjolras: Hyoie O’GradyGrantaire: George BlagdenCourfeyrac: Chris McCarrellCombeferre: Charlie BradyJean Prouvaire: Charlie StempFeuilly: Jay Armstrong JohnsonJoly: Nicholas BaraschLesgles: Killian DonnellyBahorel: Alistair Brammer (I know he’s technically not in the musical, but I wanted to include him because he is just as valid as the other Amis)

34. Michael Arden 100%.  His directing of the revival of Spring Awakening is what made me want to go into directing, and I’d love to thank him and just learn about his experiences as a performer and director (cause Hunchback is one of my favorite musicals).

35. Oh I’m a SUCKER for large ensemble numbers where different parts layer on top of each other and they all come together in one beautiful blast of sound and harmonies (like in One Day More, Esmeralda, or the Tonight Quintet).

This was SO fun but way more challenging than I was expecting!  I LOVE IT

[hellenicnymph]

my opinions on vikings so far

i am currently about to begin the 17th episode of the 5th season so i want to share my thoughts so far. warning: spoilers!

1. this show is getting boring. while i understand that ivar has to be the antagonist, i miss his strategy making. his good war tactics honestly are refreshing and to see the show succumb to just hack and slash tactics in the later episode hurt my brain so much. the catapults and fire strategy vs. king harald barely counts in my book bc i find ivar’s stategies to be better.

2. speaking of ivar, the fact that the writer had to make him incompetent in battle strategy in an earlier episode where he and king harald had to fight the protagonists fucking hurts and is extremely unnecessary. 

3. i genuinely don’t mind ragnar dying in season 4. he was getting old and is sick and not as competent as he was before. he is also not a responsible king to his people anymore. he has to be replaced at some point.

4. the episodes for seasons 4-6 should have been cut to 10 episodes each. 20 episodes feels too long,

5. aethelwulf deserved a better death than FUCKING BEE STING. he is a good warrior. at least let him have an honorary death in battle.

6. i really dislike judith so far. SHE MURDERED HER OWN SON! i understand her motivations but this is just terrible.

7. speaking of judith, i understand her wanting to be more free in medieval britain but SLEEPING WITH YOUR HUSBAND’S FATHER AND BEING HIS MISTRESS??? REALLY??? are there no more men in fucking wessex she can at least have a good relationship with? terrible and questionable writing, but i guess it makes sense for a questionable character like her?

8. i feel so bad for aethelred, man. his younger brother was always favored by his grandfather, then he was forced to refuse his rightful throne. i understand alfred is better at statecraft, but he just deserves better, you know?

9. i was honestly so devastated when athelstan was killed off. he was my favorite character.

10. however, despite that, i don’t hate floki for what he did. it was terrible for him to do, but it made sense with his character. i also don’t mind ragnar and the rest of the cast forgiving him.

11. siggy’s death was fair, but she should have been killed off earlier. she honestly served no more purpose in the story because we all know she will never be queen again.

12. thyri, gyda, angrboda, and siggy II deserved better. 

13. the earl haraldson arc in season 1 should have been resolved in episode 4 max. he wasn’t very well-written as a villain.

14. they should have utilized vladimir kulich more. he was great in his role tbh.

15. i hate travis fimmel’s acting. he isn’t a good actor in my opinion. his line delivery, intonation, and mannerisms as ragnar is awful. 

16. georgia hirst is terrible as torvi. her acting is also bad. her line delivery is very subpar. her sister, maude, who played helga is SO much better.

17.  ragnheiður ragnarsdóttir also is subpar at line delivery. 

18. jonathan rhys meyers is so good in swordfighting but his line delivery and acting as bishop heahmund is awful, which is odd because he seems to be acting for a long time now.

18. katheryn winnick, clive standen, george blagden, gustaf skarsgård, linus roache, amy bailey, and  alex høgh andersen are honestly very good in their roles. they are my favorite actors so far. thorbjørn harr, peter franzén and jasper pääkkönen were also very good in their roles.

19. i still wish they cast more scandinavian actors in the earlier seasons since it is quite off putting seeing people who do not look scandinavian at all, but since perhaps they didn’t have the budget to do so, i understand the casting of non-scandinavians in the show.

that is all for now. i will add more later.

edit: 

20. floki, rollo, lagertha, and ragnar’s character are all ruined. bjorn’s character was wasted. thorvi is pointless and unneeded.

21. seasons 1-3 were the best. i think i would just consider season 3 ending as the real ending to the show.

[lazilygloriousmusic]

People Who Have Ruined My Life With Their Talent:

A list of amazing life-ruiners that exist in this earth in no particular order: 

Aaron Tveit - Do I even need to explain?  His emotional manipulation, his voice, his dancing, his one hand clapping, his charisma, not to mention his face.  He was basically my gateway drug into the world of musical theatre.  PROUD TVEITER TOT noitsnotastupidnameshutup.  WHO CARES ABOUT YOUR LONELY SOUL.  heheheheheh.

Darren Criss - HIS HAIR.  Also, his voice, his acting skills, and his disco dancing. Also, who else can teach themselves that many instruments?  And all the languages he speaks?  While creating the best music festival cough ELSIE FEST cough ever?  And writing totally awesome songs while killing it in pink sunglasses?  He is SUPERMEGAFOXYAWESOMEHOT and dapper.

Telly Leung - In my opinion the most underrated Broadway star ever.  His vocal runs kill me.  HUGE Asian role model to me (I’m Chinese) and a pretty freaking good dancer.  His cover of Firework (by Katy Perry) killed me.

Arielle Jacobs - One of my first female celeb crushes (Im pan). Basically a real life Disney princess.  Absolutely gorgeous, great fashion sense, and amazing channeling between her voice and emotions.  

Sara Bareilles -  Amazing songwriter and performer.  Her cover of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is one of the most soulful things I have ever heard.  Waitress is one of my favorite musicals EVER.  Beautiful inside and out.

Kara Lindsay  - Beautiful voice, great breath control.  I got to see her perform in Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre, she was absolutely FABULOUS!!!! LISTEN TO HER SING WATCH WHAT HAPPENS FROM NEWSIES.  Great transitions between feeling nervous and feeling excited and hopeful.

Robbie Kay - My very first celeb crush.  Basically my gateway drug to OUAT.  Fabulous eyebrow acting.  Super charming and a great actor, if only I could see him sing and dance........

Dustin Lance Black - My favorite screenplay writer EVER.  I’m a huge fan of Milk and When We Rise.  All of his writing and speeches are super well thought out and passionate.  Great LGBTQ+ activist. 

Harry Shum Jr. - OMFG HIS DANCING.  LIKE JUST THE WAY HE MOVES.  His style of dancing is super original and fluid, I just love it.  And his ability to show emotions on his face, like MAGNUS BANE PLEASE.  Not to mention his voice, who says Mike Chang can’t sing?  Not the best technically, but still deep and smooth.  Also looks really good with glitter and cats ; ).

Honorary Mentions (AKA People who I just couldn’t write about) - Matthew Daddario, Anna Kendrick, George Blagden, and Jeremy Jordan.

Anyone else spend most of their life obsessing over these people?  

[bellesepoques]

=> File: Raphael

NAME. Raphael NICKNAMES. Angel of Love, Chief of the Guardian Angels, Angel of Heat, Guide of Sheol, Prince of the Virtues, the Angel of Science and Knowledge, Guardian of the Tree of Life, Angel of Compassion, Angel of Force, Angel of the Melon Bush, Angel of Baptismal Water, Angel of Wednesday, Chief of the Order of Virtues, Governor of the South, Ruling Prince of the 2nd Heaven, Overseer of the Evening Wings DATE OF BIRTH. 18th June (AGE PLAYED (HUMAN). 33) GENDER. Agender (appears mostly in male form) SPECIES. Angel / Seraph / Archangel OCCUPATION. Chief Healer of Heaven LANGUAGES SPOKEN. All

HEIGHT. 180cm (5ft9) CHARACTERISTICS. Blue eyes, black curled hair, usually with neatly trimmed beard, sturdy body type; when extended: three sets of wings (six wings), glistening like sunshine on blue water (FACE CLAIM. George Blagden)

ATTRACTION. Aromantic / asexual HOBBIES. Gardening, playing harp, canoeing, reading, watching humans

TRIGGER WARNINGS. war

BIOGRAPHY. created from earth and stardust, raphael came into being as third archangel in existence, younger brother to both hêlêl and michael. in his first years, he tended to stay very much in the background; doing as told but otherwise exploring his abilities by himself. most of the time he only spoke when directly addressed.

raphael got trained in the art of warfare as well, but had a far harder time to take his sword as hêlêl turned on them. he was a healer, not a soldier, so save for a few encounters where he had to fight, he stayed on the backlines, providing what he could do best -- medical support.

the war got won with many casualties. raphael’s heart bled as he heard the screams of his banished brothers and sisters, and the guilt in him grew stronger every day. not only did he blame himself for not being able to help his traumatised brethren, especially michael and gabriel, more, he also asked himself why he hadn’t seen hêlêl’s descent into madness sooner. he became convinced that would he have been not so self-centered, the war never would have happened.

haunted by this assumption, raphael became more active on earth. no matter how much and what fallen angels and demons destroyed and hurt, raphael actively tried to restore. he healed earth and humanity, and became a companion to latter both mentally as physically. at the same time, he assumed the role of the middle ground in the triumvirate, and tried to meditate between hell and heaven if tensions became once again too high.

nowadays raphael is still found very often on earth, either in hospitals or in charity institutions, helping out where he can. he tries not to engage with demons directly, a feat not always working, but instead either attempts to banish them before or clean up their mess afterwards.

CHARACTER. raphael has a very calm, thoughtful character. he thinks before he speaks and puts weight into every one of his words. his ultimate goal is to restore peace on earth, and while capable of fighting, prefers to help and heal. he is convinced that only the golden middle will be their way to win this war, not being too harsh on their enemies, but also realising that being too soft is also not furthering their goals. he loves to listen instead of talking by himself, but as soon as someone learns to know him better it becomes clear that he still is filled with guilt and grief. still, in the end he is an archangel -- if bothered enough, he can retaliate.

VERSES. verse i: main. biography as stated. verse ii: human. raphael is a human and either works as a practical doctor or at a hospital. verse iii: human ii. raphael is a doctor at the us navy. corresponding with ;verse: alea iacta est. / michael iii. verse iv: scifi. raphael is one of the rulers of the empyrian star system, however much friendlier than his younger brother. corresponding with ;verse: hinc itur ad astra. / ;verse: michael iv.

TAGS. face claim. | roleplay posts. | quotes. | aesthetic. | headcanons. | verse i: main. | verse ii: human. | verse iii: human ii.| verse iv: scifi.

[inkcaviness]

I dare you to answer all the asks for that ask thing u reblogged today. Do it! (just. do. it) XD

(tell feli im gonna fight her)

Spotify, SoundCloud, or Pandora? none of these really

is your room messy or clean? messy. very messy

what color are your eyes? mainly blue but. muddy

do you like your name? why? uhh yes. just bc?

what is your relationship status? too busy dying and being dead

describe your personality in 3 words or less: tired, yells, forgetful 

what color hair do you have? brown

what kind of car do you drive? color? uhh an old black bmw

where do you shop? for clothes or…groceries or…what. i dont really usually shop i guess?

how would you describe your style? “i only have one pair of jeans this sweater was on sale. its ugly and i love it”

favorite social media account: like?? my own or someone elses?? im confused so im just gonna ignore this question 

what size bed do you have? small. very small

any siblings? no

if you can live anywhere in the world where would it be? why? colorado just bc its nice there

favorite snapchat filter? dont have snapchat

favorite makeup brand(s): uhh i like makeup factory and art deco? but i dont really do enough makeup to like…have a favorite brand…

how many times a week do you shower? uhm. 7. at least…

favorite tv show? gilmore girls

shoe size? 42-43 european size, i think that 9 ½ in america?

how tall are you? 176cm which i think is 5″9?

sandals or sneakers? sneakers 

do you go to the gym? does gym class count 

describe your dream date: probably going to the natural history museum but just bc no one ever wants to go with me. im very excited about natural history museums 

how much money do you have in your wallet at the moment? like 20ct i think

what color socks are you wearing? one is pink and the other white with yellow dots

how many pillows do you sleep with? one

do you have a job? what do you do? no

how many friends do you have? uhhhh like 10-15 i guess but i never know when you go from being acquaintances to being friends 

whats the worst thing you have ever done? i have done nothing wrong ever but one time i had to pick up the dead and decaying body of a baby cat off the street and that definitely counts as “the worst”

whats your favorite candle scent? all of them 

3 favorite boy names: no

3 favorite girl names: no

favorite actor? george blagden

favorite actress? margot robbie

who is your celebrity crush? dont have one

favorite movie? love actually

do you read a lot? whats your favorite book? i dont read as much as i used to and i have too many favorite books, i cant choose one

money or brains? lol money

do you have a nickname? what is it? i have. too many nicknames. jooosten, nougat, parental overlord, hans,…there are…more

how many times have you been to the hospital? twice i think

top 10 favorite songs: im not doing this now

do you take any medications daily? no

what is your skin type? (oily, dry, etc) dry 

what is your biggest fear? murky water

how many kids do you want? none

whats your go to hair style? well i mean. my hairs kina shaved off atm so

what type of house do you live in? (big, small, etc) relatively big

who is your role model? dont have one

what was the last compliment you received? uhhh idk

what was the last text you sent? “you’d know if you knew her”

how old were you when you found out santa wasn’t real? i cant remember ever really believing in santa oops

what is your dream car? i want a rusty pickup truck for The Aesthetics 

opinion on smoking? i really dont like smoking like. youre actively destroying yourself. but if you really have to smoke dont do it around other people, especially not kids, if they cant go away. i guess then you can do whatever you want

do you go to college? no

what is your dream job? haha i dont even have one 

would you rather live in rural areas or the suburbs? i think suburbs bc that way youre not completely in he middle of fuckass nowhere

do you take shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels? yes

do you have freckles? no

do you smile for pictures? yes

how many pictures do you have on your phone? a lot

have you ever peed in the woods? uhh probably

do you still watch cartoons? yes

do you prefer chicken nuggets from Wendy’s or McDonalds? never been to wendys and honestly i dont really like chicken nuggets

Favorite dipping sauce? mayonnaise i guess

what do you wear to bed? uhh just whatever tshirt and comfy pants i’ve got lying around i guess

have you ever won a spelling bee? no

what are your hobbies? drawing writing and dying

can you draw? ehh yea 

do you play an instrument? no

what was the last concert you saw? none

tea or coffee? tea

Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts? hhhhhhhhhhhh……….starbucks but thats a tough one

do you want to get married? ergh not particularly 

what is your crush’s first and last initial? honestly idk if i really have a crush right now im kinda mehh about the person i liked bc idk if its even really still a crush and im getting far too caught up with that anyways the initials would be v and k

are you going to change your last name when you get married? honestly that depends on the last name of the person id marry

what color looks best on you? i have no idea. if anyone can answer that question for me feel free to speak up

do you miss anyone right now? not particularly 

do you sleep with your door open or closed? closed

do you believe in ghosts? not really but who knows

what is your biggest pet peeve? lol i have so many i dont even know

last person you called: my dad

favorite ice cream flavor? chocolate 

regular oreos or golden oreos? regular 

chocolate or rainbow sprinkles? chocolate

what shirt are you wearing? an aglionby academy shirt lmao

what is your phone background? yurio and otabek 

are you outgoing or shy? shy

do you like it when people play with your hair? yessss

do you like your neighbors? theyre okay

do you wash your face? at night? in the morning? yes, both 

have you ever been high? no

have you ever been drunk? not really 

last thing you ate? uhh bread 

favorite lyrics right now: dont really have any 

summer or winter? winter

day or night? night 

dark, milk, or white chocolate? white chocolate

favorite month? december 

what is your zodiac sign. aquarius 

who was the last person you cried in front of? i dont really know, i do my best not to cry in front of people honestly 

this took like 5 years but im done