#carley’s soliloquy

[leninisms]

“coke is better!” “pepsi is better!” wrong. squirt supremacy.

[mwahahahahahahaa]

Les Mis 10th July 2019!!!

So good! Fantine's voice was amazing (so was everyone else’s, but I just loved Carley Stenson’s voice?)

Things I noticed :

When Valjean sang 'Cosette will have a father now', he paused before saying 'father' and booped her on the nose

He did this again in his death scene, the bopping, can't remember exactly when but it was really sweet. I think it was 'Yes Cosette, forbid me now to die! I'll obey' and then he booped her nose as he sang 'I will try'

When Fantine was being arrested and singing to Valjean about being sent away, she was clutching his shirt and shaking him in anger. I think she spat in his face at one point?

One of the women was reading over Fantine's shoulder before the woman came to steal it

Thernadier in master of the house kept smacking women on the bum and then pointing at someone else, as if I needed more reasons to hate him.

Similarly, Madame Thernadier kept trying to hit Cosette :(

When Red and Black happened, I think Prouvaire had a notebook in front of him on the table? I liked that.

I wasn't great at being able to tell which Amis was which-without specific lines mentioning them it's hard-but at one point a woman came on and was spun around by one of them, so I've decided that was Musichetta (though it could probably also be Bahorel's laughing mistress) (or just a random student but I like connecting it to book characters)

Grantaire was to the side a lot with a bottle, as expected.

When they sang 'don't let the wine go to your brains!' he raised his arms as if to say 'who, me?' and someone else stole his bottle. The minute Enjolras looked away he took another one out from under the table

When Eponine went to get Marius and take him to Cosette, she went to Grantaire first and spoke to him and he called for Marius.

In her death scene, everyone continued as if nothing was happening (apart from Marius ofc) until Grantaire came on, he took some wine from the table and was walking across the stage when he saw them. For a moment he stared before hurrying to get other people to go and try to help, he looked really upset by it. It seemed to again hint that they were friends (which I know isn’t book canon, but a lot of the fandom like the idea including me)

After Eponine died, Gavroche went over and lent his arm and head against the wall with his back to the audience and didn't look up for a while, reacting to his sister’s death.

After Gavroche revealed who Javert was, Grantaire picked him up and carried him round in piggy back. It was really cute. He did this as he sang ‘Bravo, little Gavroche you’re the top of the class!

After Attack on Rue Plumet, when Eponine and Cosette are briefly introduced, they just kept staring at each other through the gate as if they both recognised the other, not just Eponine.

When Valjean was letting Javert go and Javert refused to believe it, Valjean ended up pushing him back against the wall to try and get him to go.

When Eponine delivered the letter, she snuck through the gates when she couldn't see anyone, only for Valjean to come up behind her and grab her thinking, presumably, that she was there for nefarious reasons.

After she gave him the letter and she was turning to go, he grabbed her hat off her head (revealing her long hair) before telling her to be safe.

During Drink with me, Enjolras was at the top of the barricade but was watching Grantaire. When Grantaire was singing and it became clear how upset he was, Enjolras rushed down the barricade and stopped the other student from arguing with Grantaire, and they stood facing each other with the last two lined of the verse directed at Enjolras, before they grasped each other and hugged tightly. They took a while to pull away and it was really lovely

Enjolras was played by Joe Vetch in this performance BTW, he usually plays Feuilly I believe? I'm not sure who played Feuilly instead.

In Master of the House, when Thernadier was singing at the side at one point he refilled a bottle to resell by peeing into it. He then gave it to a drunk guy who didn't seem to notice - but then when they were all toasting at the end, Madame Thernadier switched the drinks so Thernadier ended up with the urine bottle, which he drank from and then threw up. Just what he deserves, really!

In the scene where Marius and Cosette first meet and the Thernadier's recognise Valjean, whilst Thernadier and the others were fighting with Valjean, Montparnasse grabbed Cosette and tried to drag her away (presumably kidnapping her?) but Marius stopped him and punched him in the face.

When Fantine was singing 'Come to me' she left the bed and crawled towards where she thought Cosette was and it was heartbreaking

When Fantine was in the factory and Valjean was trying to leave, she went up to him and kept trying to show him the letter, pleading with him

Also when Fantine tried to get the letter back from the woman who took it, the woman pushed her away and shouted 'Get away from you, you slut!'

During Fantine's arrest, the other prostitutes were gathering around her and trying to check if she was alright and protect her

For Javert's suicide - it really built up to it. He was quite composed and stern for most of the show but after the barricade, you saw him walking around it and seeing all the carnage, before looking for Valjean and trying to get in the sewer. He couldn't lift the grate, but you could see that his uniform was rumpled and undone, and it seemed even more undone as it went on. When he and Valjean were facing each other and Valjean was asking to take Marius to safety, Javert was falling apart, shouting lines. 'the man of mercy comes again and talks of justice' was bitter and mocking, thrown at Valjean like a weapon. Javert wasn't even standing up straight, it was as if he was physically fighting with himself and he could no longer pretend to be the stern upright figure he had been because he had no idea how to deal with Valjean being good. It was really emotional and made his emotional turmoil so clear and heartbreaking, especially as it led into Javert's soliloquy. Whilst the way they show his death might not be the most effective - lights to make it seem like water on the stage, he falls to his knees while reaching up and then collapses on the ground and rolls off stage slowly as it revolves and the lights are whirling round - his acting was amazing.

When Eponine had taken Marius to see Cosette, he spun Eponine round in the air and it was really sweet. 

 I know it happens every production, but the Enjolras death is just. so. impressive. The way they just dangle so still and it’s just??? It must be really difficult and take a lot of skill and every single Enjolras does it???? (I wanna try and do it) Anyway it looks amazing

I’m sure I’ve forgotten a dozen things I wanted to say about how great it was but if I remember anything more I’ll add it. Posting this on the 13th July, which unfortunately is the last day the original production will be shown. The show was amazing and I loved it so much. I wish they weren’t changing it, because honestly it is perfect as it is. 

The cast were also so sweet - I met some of them at the Stage Door (not everyone because obvs some just want to go home). I’d never gone to a stage door before so it was a really exciting experience. They signed my programme which is so amazing! 

Charlotte Kennedy was really sweet in particular, she was leaving and I didn’t want to bother her because it looked like she just wanted to go, but she saw me looking at her and holding my programme and came over and offered to sign it, she was lovely. Joe Vetch was really nice, and pronounced all the names perfectly! Raymond Walsh was also really nice. Dean Chisnall was very friendly and talking to everyone, and Elena Skye was great as well, and Ben Tyler was really nice! Everyone was really nice and lovely and it was amazing to meet them. 

Anyway Les Mis is awesome and the current cast are amazing - I loved them all. I gave them a standing ovation the moment the applause started at the end (usually I’m too anxious and wait until more people are doing it). I hope they have enjoyed their run in Les Mis and that the next iteration is just as wonderful. 

[grandrsachilles]

Here is my Les Mis experience

(its really long but what the hell)

I was sat on the 2nd row so I was so close to the stage and at times the cast were no more than 5ft away and it was crazy

As soon as the first note to ‘Look Down’ played I was crying 

Valjean and Javert screaming their names at each other

The way they had the stage rotate as Valjean was walking round finding work was so awesome

The Bishop and Valjean ?? Is this a ship?? There was definitely something going on there, the way they looked at each other whilst the Bishop had his hands on Valjean’s chest (Valjean had his hands over the Bishop’s) and when the Bishop went to leave the stage they still held hands until they couldn’t anymore

‘Valjean’s Soliloquy’ was amazing, the first time we really got to experience Valjean’s vocals and Dean Chisnall’s voice is AMAZING and I teared up

I loved how in the factory Fantine had one friend who stuck with her and held her hands and tried to reassure her when she had been thrown out until she was dragged away off stage by the other women 

Also the factory workers were a mixture of men and women though it was only the women that were horrible to Fantine

‘I Dreamed A Dream’ was pretty emotional, Carley Stenson’s voice was so powerful

‘Lovely Ladies’ was done really well I liked how the prostitutes were all in the centre stage and there was smoke and it was really cool with all the effects and how they had Fantine coming back with short hair

AND BAMATABOIS I cannot stand that man he was so horrible to Fantine and how the women rallied against her trying to comfort her after she attacked him and he threw her onto the floor

The cart scene was incredible, how everyone was running around the stage and then when the cart had fallen some of the cast were practically right next to me like rolling and tumbling 

How they did ‘Who Am I?’ was pretty cool, how he was alone but then he was standing before the court showing his 24601 brand on his chest

Fantine’s death scene was really sad, how she got out of bed and collapsed and Valjean carried her back to bed and she died in his arms and that bright white light that shone on her once she had died got me real good

THE CONFRONTATION I loved this part and how they chased each other around Fantine’s bed?? And Valjean picking up a chair and smashing it on the floor and then threatening Javert with a chair leg what a man

Little Cosette was so adorable, her voice was incredible for someone so young 

The Thenardier’s were so funny throughout the entire thing, just small comments and actions

‘Master Of The House’ was really good and there were multiple laughs during the performance 

‘The Bargain’ was also pretty funny, the things the Thenardiers did when Valjean wasn’t looking like the faces they made at each other and afterwards when they had the money and Mdm Thenardier was rubbing it on herself and Thenardier grabbed her and they ran off stage

THE DANCE SCENE VALJEAN AND LITTLE COSETTE HAD AFTERWARDS WAS SO BEAUTIFUL and how she changed super fast into a nice dress and Catherine

‘Look Down’ was really good again and when Enjolras and Marius appeared !! And some of the ensemble were right next to me again which was awesome

Marius and Cosette meeting each other was really cute and he tried to help her during the robbery scene

Montparnasse like grabbed Eponine during the robbery and she attacked him and pushed him away but then he helped her with the robbery and his outfit was just so Montparnasse?? Like top hat and a better tailcoat than all the others??

When Javert appeared during this and Valjean had gone, Patron-Minette and the Thenardiers were all on the floor next to Javert and Thenardier crawled towards Javert’s feet as he sung ‘in the absence of a victim dear inspector may I go..’ And Javert just glared at him and he shuffled back towards the others really quickly and whispered guess not to the others

‘STARS’ WAS AMAZING once again the vocals were incredible, the Javert was an understudy played by Lee Van Geleen and he was an amazing Javert

‘Red and Black/ ABC Cafe’ was soo good, Samuel’s voice he’s such an awesome Enjolras like his voice was just perfect for this role and THE HAIR he was amazing but when Enjolras said ‘dont let the wine go to your brains’ he stared at Grantaire who stared back in disbelief and pointed to the guy behind him 

Grantaire then continued to lovingly stare at Enjolras throughout the song (minus the parts when he was annoying Enjolras with his lines)

GRANTAIRE PUT THE BOTTLE DOWN 

Grantaire literally sulked and sat down and read a newspaper for the rest of the song whilst everyone else was gathered together listening to Enjolras

I LOVED how this transitioned into ‘Do You Hear The People Sing?’ how they moved from the cafe into the streets to rally people, and Enjolras in the cart omg 

‘In My Life/ Heart Full Of Love’ was so cute and how Marius just climbed the gate and held Cosette, it was also really cool how the gate rotated to fit where the scene was more focused AND Toby’s Marius was so well played like his Marius was so awkward and adorable

‘ONE DAY MORE’ OMG I’m still not over this, how Enjolras came onto the stage wearing the red vest and went between Cosette and Marius and then when they were all doing THAT walk across the stage and the last couple lines got to me SO BAD 

Also Valjean handing Catherine to Cosette and packing her into her bag to leave for England omg

‘On My Own’ was pretty good and again emotional 

And at the barricade when Javert had been found out and Gavroche the little savage has no chill 

And Grantaire whilst singing ‘bravo little Gavroche you’re the top of the class’ picked him up and put him on his shoulders

When Eponine came back to the barricade and was shot it was SO sad like a ‘Little Fall Of Rain’, the blood and Marius’ sobs as he hugged her body and after she was carried away during ‘Night Of Anguish’

During the first attack Grantaire tried to protect Gavroche and everyone screamed get down and everyone did except Grantaire who stayed stood on top of a box with his arms wide and he said bring it on and Feuilly and Courf I think kept shouting at him to get down and he eventually did when they dragged him down

Them gunshots though every time I would full on jump they were SO loud and sharp 

And ‘DRINK WITH ME’ afterwards holy hell, during Grantaire’s part Courf pointed him out to Enjolras who then ran down the barricade and grabbed his shoulder before standing in front of him and they stared at each other for a while before Grantaire literally THREW himself into Enjolras’ arms and they hugged for a few seconds and I cried

Grantaire and Marius also hugged multiple times

‘Bring Him Home’ has always been my least favourite song but Dean’s performance was just INCREDIBLE and I LOVED it and how Marius went to sleep hugging Eponine’s hat just broke my heart

Gavroche’s death omg, just before when Marius and Enjolras were talking Grantaire made sure Gavroche was okay and safe and two seconds later he had run around the barricade and then he was killed once he had thrown the ammunition over the barricade and it was really sad

Marius was then shot and Grantaire was crying over him trying to wake him up

And then he and Enjolras shook hands and Enjolras smiled (which I guess in a way was do you permit it?) 

Enjolras then ran to the top of the barricade and tried to take the flag but was shot and the epic death fall??

BUT then Grantaire ran up to the top after Enjolras was shot and threw his wine bottle at the National Guard and was then shot and killed

How that bright white light shone on each one as they died, was that really necessary???

When the barricade rotated and Enjolras was fallen backwards over the barricade it was so sad but looked SO awesome

The sewer scene was also really good, like how a light would shine on Valjean and Marius and each time Valjean was carrying Marius in a different way it looked awesome

JAVERT’S SUICIDE WAS DONE AMAZINGLY

First off the vocals again, and secondly how it was performed?? There was a bridge on the stage and he climbed over the railings and as he stepped from the bridge to the stage the bridge went up and Javert ‘fell’ and it just looked so amazing?? 

‘Turning’ was so sad and ‘Empty Chairs At Empty Tables’ when they all came and stood behind Marius omg my heart

The wedding scene was so beautiful, some of the barricade guys came back to dance and the dancing was really pretty 

When Thenardier sang ‘this ones a queer but what can you do’ the guy who was Grantaire (Raymond Walsh) stopped dancing, let go of his partner and once again stared in disbelief at Thenardier and the audience

The ending will forever get to me

When Fantine appeared and I started to tear up and then once he had gone and Marius was holding Cosette as she cried and Eponine appeared behind them

THEN everyone reappeared and I SOBBED badly it was so sad yet beautiful 

Don’t even get me started on the bows at the end

I started crying even more I was so sad it was over but soo happy with the cast and the entire thing 

The entire theatre gave a standing ovation and Id never experienced that with a show and it was incredible and that made me cry even more

AND during the final bows the cast were SO close and they all looked so happy and thankful and I cant 

Im SO glad I got to see the new cast in one of their first weeks they were seriously incredible and I recommend it so much

I also got to meet some of the cast afterwards and they were all SO nice 

BEST NIGHT EVER

[leninisms]

[leninisms]

AP is saying she lost by 5 million votes. which means even if all 2 million third party voters had voted for kamala harris (which would never have happened because of the libertarian party & RFK to be clear), she still would have lost.

instead of blaming leftists and palestinians for voting third party, you should be blaming the democrats for running a trash campaign. a campaign based in genocide, ethnic cleansing, cracking down on the border, children in cages, endless war with russia, endless war in korea, endless war in SWANA, the promise of war with china, refusing to actually defend (let alone protect) trans and queer people, and the list goes on. the democratic party is actively contributing to the rise of fascism in the united states, and they have been for 50 years.

[leninisms]

don’t get distracted. free palestine. do your daily clicks. keep donating esims.

[leninisms]

good by 2007 hello 2008!

[leninisms]

i wish i could say this more eloquently but watching these college solidarity encampments popping up around the world… watching university faculty use themselves as shields to protect their students from the police… watching these students put their own safety on the line to demand divestments… i’ve never seen anything like it, and every update moves me to tears.

[leninisms]

i couldn’t have found a normal artist to enjoy it just had to be this freak

[leninisms]

WERE YOU SENT BY SOMEONE 🚶‍♂️WHO WANTED ME DEAD 😵 DID YOU SLEEP 💤 WITH A GUN 🔫 UNDERNEATH OUR BED 🛌 WERE YOU WRITING ✍️ A BOOK 📖 WERE YOU A SLEEPER CELL 🧫 SPY 🕵️‍♂️ IN FIFTY 5️⃣0️⃣ YEARS WILL ALL THIS BE DECLASSIFIED🔎 AND YOU’LL CONFESS WHY 🤷‍♂️ YOU DID IT AND I’LL SAY 🗣️ GOOD RIDDANCE 👋 ‘CAUSE IT WASN’T SEXY 🫦 ONCE IT WASN’T FORBIDDEN 🚫 I WOULD’VE DIED 🥀 FOR YOUR SINS ☦️ INSTEAD I JUST DIED INSIDE 😫 AND YOU 🫵 DESERVE PRISON 🚔 BUT YOU WON’T GET TIME ⏰ YOU’LL SLIDE INTO INBOXES 📥 AND SLIP THROUGH THE BARS 🍻 YOU CRASHED 💥 MY PARTY 🥳 AND YOUR RENTAL CAR 🚗 YOU SAID NORMAL GIRLS 👩 WERE BORING 👎 BUT YOU WERE GONE BY THE MORNING ��� YOU KICKED 🦵 OUT THE STAGE LIGHTS 💡 BUT YOU’RE STILL PERFORMING 🎙️ and in plain sight you hid 🫣 but you are what you did 🖕 and i’ll forget you 💭 but i’ll never forgive the smallest 🤏 man 🧍‍♂️ who ever lived 🧬

[leninisms]

is this the end of all the endings? … come one come all it’s happening again… hand on the throttle thought i caught lightning in a bottle oh but it’s gone again… how did it end? ……… he’s got my heartbeat skipping down sixteenth avenue… i can’t find a pulse my heart won’t start anymore for you… stopped CPR after all it’s no use….. clearing the air i breathed in the smoke… six weeks of breathing clean air i still miss the smoke……. i want to teach you how forever feels… you and me forevermore… he saw forever so he smashed it up…….. your integrity makes me seem small you paint dreamscapes on the wall… when your impressionist paintings of heaven turned out to be fakes well you took me to hell too………. but i’m a fire and i’ll keep your brittle heart warm if your cascade ocean wave blues come… don’t want no other shade of blue but you… you sacrificed us to the gods of your bluest days……… all’s well that ends well to end up with you… and i’ll still see it until i die you’re the loss of my life…………….

[leninisms]

SO I’LL WATCH YOUR LIFE IN PICTURES LIKE I USED TO WATCH YOU SLEEP AND I’LL FEEL YOU FORGET ME LIKE I USED TO FEEL YOU BREATHE AND I’LL KEEP UP WITH OUR OLD FRIENDS JUST TO ASK THEM HOW YOU ARE… hope it’s nice where you are…… and i hope the sun shines and it’s a beautiful day and something reminds you you wish you had stayed you can plan for a change in the weather and time but i never planned on you changing your mind………….

[leninisms]

hoax parallels: the black dog

[leninisms]

they should make another d20 foundry with murph where he has to help stat out baron from the baronies

[leninisms]

end the blockades.

[leninisms]

hoax parallels: loml