#Helen Aylott

[thediaryofatheatrekid]

Casting Goals: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (UK Edition Full Cast)

So I’m still waiting on this UK production of Great Comet and it could be done perfectly. You build hype by having a semi staged concert/workshop at The Other Palace and really hype it up, but make tickets affordable. Then if hype is good have a repeat engagement all the while producers can be building up funds to do a limited West End run. However, they should tone down the sets and not make it as extravagent as it was (They should still keep the tables and audience interacations and the stair case connecting the balcony to the orchestra, but tone down the extravagance if that makes sense) When they tone it down they can cut down on costs and possibly put it in a smaller theatre such as the Garrick or Playhouse. I think that Great Comet works better in a smaller environment and while it did do well at the Imperial on Broadway I think they should go back to a smaller venue like when the show first started out.

Amara Okereke as Natasha Rostova

John Owen-Jones as Pierre Bezukhov

Natalie May Paris as Sonya Rostova

Hannah Waddingham as Marya Dmitriyevna

Ben Forster as Anatole Kuragin

Renée Lamb as Hélène Bezukhova

Cleve September as Fedya Dolokhov

Niall Sheehy as Andrey/Bolkonsky

Charli Baptie as Mary Bolkonskaya

Adam Bayjou as Balaga

Killian Donnelly as Pierre Bezukhov (s/b)

Ensemble: Alexia McIntosh, Benjamin Yates, Carl Man, Courtney Bowman, Grace Mouat, Helen Aylott, Julian Capolei, Leah Hill, Luke McCall, Natalie Chua, Nicola Espallardo, Raymond Walsh, Rosa O’Reilly, Samuel Edwards, Stephenson Ardern-Sodje and Vicki Manser

Swings: Alexzandra Sarmiento, Amy Goodwin, Barney Hudson and Joe Griffiths-Brown

Covers: Natasha- Amy Goodwin, Natalie Chua and Rosa O’Reilly...Pierre- Adam Bayjou, Luke McCall and Raymond Walsh...Sonya- Courtney Bowman, Natalie Chua and Vicki Manser...Marya D- Vicki Manser, Alexia McIntosh and Grace Mouat...Anatole- Benjamin Yates, Samuel Edwards and Carl Man...Hélène- Alexia McIntosh, Vicki Manser and Grace Mouat...Dolokhov- Carl Man, Stephenson Arder-Sodje...Andrey/Bolkonsky- Stephenson Ardern-Sodje, Raymond Walsh and Julian Capolei...Mary- Amy Godowin and Rosa O’Reilly...Balaga- Raymond Walsh, Luke McCall and Stephenson Ardern-Sodje

[milliondollarbaby87]

Cast Zac Hamilton – Jean Valjean Nic Greenshields – Javert Katie Hall – Fatine Tegan Bannister – Eponine Harry Apps – Marius Bronwen Hanson – Cosette Martin Ball – Thenardier Sophie-Louise Dann – Madame Thenardier Leo Miles – Enjolras Joseph Sheppard – Gavroche Pheenie Markham – Little Cosette

Date: Monday 19th August 2019 Venue: Theatre Royal, Newcastle

Les Miserables is quite frankly one of the greatest musicals of all time for a very good reason, it blows you away. It’s been just over three years since I had the experience of seeing this on stage for the first time in the West End of London. I have been super excited about seeing the touring production as it is the new production and will be returning to London after the concert version and theatre refurbishment. Something this outstanding show manages to do so many times is fully break your heart, don’t expect your usually happy go lucky moments in this musical. We do get some light relief moments but it is hardcore from start to finish.

The emotions you go through is because we get to see the characters grow the chase between Jean Valjean and Javert is something else and you cannot help but be engrossed in what is going to happen between the pair. Will Javert manage to capture 24601 after ten years of being on the run? With this happening and a new life for Jean Valjean, he comes across Fatine, who he inadvertently lets the foreman sack her from her job. As she was sending money to support her young daughter Cosette, falling to the gutter and selling everything including her hair and her body to horrible men. This is when Jean Valjean comes across her again and sort of saves her from that life, but she is too ill. He vows to find Cosette and raise her for Fatine.

The Thenardier‘s manage to lighten the mood a little bit with “Master of the House” which really is just fantastically funny to watch. Just showing how far they are willing to go to make a little bit of money. Poor Cosette was left to be looked after by them which basically meant she was in a Cinderella type role of doing chores and the horrible jobs. We then get a flash forward and the men including Marius ready to take a stand with the barricade.

Something that is still very true for myself is that I Dreamed a Dream still totally breaks me and I struggle to hold it together. The placement within the story but then the lyrics to that song really do get to me every single time and this was no different.

The performances were breathtaking and I throughly enjoyed seeing Nic Greenshields as Javert and he totally owned the role. I was lucky enough to see him a few times as the Monster in Young Frankenstein and to see him in Les Mis really was such a special experience. Amazing stage presence in the role and his vocal range truly fantastic throughout, an amazing Javert that is for sure!

Zac Hamilton was on as Jean Valjean and I was very impressed with his portrayal, surely this role is one of the toughest to take on in musical theatre? The different emotions you must go through and do all of that while singing and acting together. A very intense part and I felt Zac really did it so much credit. You want nothing more than his life to have a little bit of joy.

Leo Miles was on as Enjorlas and was a true joy to watch in that smaller yet very important and effective role. An incredible voice and his stage presence was truly outstanding. Katie Hall broke my heart with her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream. Martin Ball and Sophie-Louise Dann really brining the laughs as the Thenardier’s which really all comes at the best times considering how heavy the show really is.

Tegan Bannister absolutely nailed On My Own and a joy to watch as Eponine. Harry Apps a very good Marius showing his character growth throughout. Bronwen Hanson as Cosette worked so very well with Harry Apps, in what is a very nice love story within all of the sadness. Joseph Sheppard was on as Gavroche and what a truly talented little actor he is! Not forgetting how utterly heartbreaking that moment is!

The production is so fantastic and it just shows that we do not really need the moving/revolving stage as this works so very well. We get all of the action and change of scenery throughout the story telling and it works out in such an amazing way. Seeing this show again really does confirm what a truly incredible musical this really is. From the production, the music, the lyrics, the acting and the heartbreak but also a few heartwarming moments as well.

So many outstanding songs I Dreamed a Dream, One Day More, Bring Him Home, On My Own and of course Do You Hear the People Sing?

The UK tour is currently at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle for a 7 week engagement! I am hoping I can make it make to see this utterly breathtaking show all over again.

Les Misérables (UK Tour – Newcastle) Review Cast Zac Hamilton – Jean Valjean Nic Greenshields – Javert Katie Hall – Fatine Tegan Bannister – Eponine…

[deboracabral]

Today during the les mis official Instagram takeover, Helen Aylott said she plays the part of “lesbian poet”, which is a real part that exists and I had to drop everything to draw her even though I have no idea what her outfit is supposed to look like. 

[esteliel]

As rehearsal begin, full casting is announced. Joining the previously announced Killian Donnelly as ‘Jean Valjean’ will be Nic Greenshields as ‘Javert’, Katie Hall as ‘Fantine’, Martin Ball as ‘Thénardier’, Sophie-Louise Dann as ‘Madame Thénardier’, Harry Apps as ‘Marius’, Tegan Bannister as ‘Eponine’, Will Richardson as ‘Enjolras’ and Bronwen Hanson as ‘Cosette’.

Completing the cast will be Joseph Anthony, Helen Aylott, Jamie Birkett, Keoni Blockx, Michael Burgen, Nicholas Carter, Mary-Jean Caldwell, Danny Colligan, Nicholas Corre, Megan Gardiner, Zac Hamilton, Jessie Hart, Teleri Hughes, Brian James Leys, Ruby Lyon, Leo Miles, Shane O’Riordan, Lee Ormsby, Jordan Simon Pollard, Corrine Priest, Aaron Pryce-Lewis, Janne Snellen, Ruben Van keer and Emma Warren.

(x)

[centrestagereviews]

Les Mis Tour Cast

Further casting has been announced for the UK touring production of Les Miserables.

Joining the previously announced Killian Donnelly as Valjean will be Nic Greenshields as Javert, Katie Hall as Fantine, Martin Ball as Thenardier, Sophie-Louise Dann as Madame Thenardier, Harry Apps as Marius, Tegan Bannister as Eponine, Will Richardson as Enjolras and Bronwen Hanson as Cosette.

The cast will be completed by: Joseph Anthony, Helen Aylott, Jamie Birkett, Keoni Blockx, Michael Burgen, Nicholas Carter, Mary-Jane Caldwell, Danny Colligan, Nicholas Coree, Megan Gardiner, Zac Hamilton, Jessie Hart, Teleri Hughes, Brian James Leys, Ruby Lyon, Leo Miles, Shane O’Riordan, Lee Ormsby, Jordan Simon Pollard, Corrine Priest, Aaron Pryce-Lewism Janne Snellen, Ruben Van keer and Emma Warren.

The tour is set to open at the Leicester Curve on 3rd November before touring to Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Milton Keynes with further dates to be announced. For more information or to book tickets head to the official Les Miserables website.

To read our review from Les Miserables London this June click here.

Image courtesy of Les Miserables Twitter.