A postcard from the Palace
by Julie MeaderVol. 1 - IS HE FROM HEAVEN OR FROM HELL?
A personal glimpse of the pairings of the two main characters
. Phil Cavill and Michael McCarthy
Peter Karrie and Michael McCarthy
Robert Marien and Michael McCarthy
Jeff Leyton and Michael McCarthy
Jeff Leyton and Hartwig Rudolz
Phil Cavill and Hartwig Rudolz
John Owen Jones and Hartwig Rudolz
John Owen Jones and Ethan Freeman
Stig Rossen and Ethan Freeman
Phil Cavill and Philip Quast
Phil Cavill and Michael McCarthy
This was the first pairing I saw, so, not having any other performers to compare them too, I automatically thought 'yes, these are good.' After seeing them together six times (during my never-seen-an-understudy period), I came to the conclusion that this was the ideal mixture of dark and light. Cavill's Valjean has that otherworldly angelic quality that doesn't come along that often. His melodious voice is able to tear at your heartstrings provoking feelings of extreme compassion for this parole-breaker. Phil embodies the qualities that make up the character of Jean Valjean. His first meeting with little Cosette (remember-this was before the Well Scene was added back) were so tender that you just wanted to rush on stage and tell them that everything will be OK. No one, and I mean NO-ONE 'La la la's' like Phil. He is my perfect Valjean. And I am his - he only has to say.
McCarthy, on the other hand, is the ideal contrast playing the role of Javert with all the complexity the role requires. After all, he's not really a straight baddie, he's only doing his job!! McCarthy's voice is perfect for the Inspector and his stature commands respect right from his first entrance scene with the chain-gang. His steely eyes are unflinching in his pursuit of justice. So, his build is perfect but what about his voice? Yes, that's nigh-on perfect too. His suicide is frighteningly moving and his rendition of Stars is just awesome. Hope they appreciate him in Oz (I should think they do - we had their best, it's nice that we can at last return the favour.)
A match made in Heaven.
Peter Karrie and Michael McCarthy
Never have the words 'Who is this man, what sort of devil is he' taken on so much significance than this twosome. Who said gruesome? Only one of them was - Michael is incapable of putting in a bad performance, while Karrie kept his ego stored in the back of the runaway cart. I'm sure I wasn't the only one willing him to get crushed under it, was I? His voice was grating, he didn't sing hardly anything, just shouted along. Far too angry at the beginning and laughably aged at the end. He decided to use a stick and was hobbling about the stage before the Finale. At least I assume he was acting - all credit to the make-up department who had to work in reversal to get him from ancient to just plain old. He swung little Cosette so violently that I thought she might be sick. Then after his rendition of Bring Him Home I thought I would. The one word that always comes to my mind when I think of him (one that I can print) is Agony - you know, as in 'pretend I do not see his agony' only he pronounced it 'A-gawnee.' And he was. I think this must have sewed the first seeds of my Javert obsession for which I suppose I should be grateful.
Robert Marien and Michael McCarthy
Then we were treated to the original French JVJ played by the French-Canadian Robert. I attended my first performance of his on my birthday with a little trepidation. The previous incumbents came from both ends of the spectrum, but I needn't have worried. Robert's performance was more or less stunning. His beautiful voice held me captive from beginning to end, and there were some nice touches - his accent for one. His pronunciation of 'Marius' and 'Rue Plumet' was lovely!! All in all, the pairing of these two was most definitely inspired and they worked well together. The rapport between them was very good and I am only regretful that I didn't see them more often (only twice) or from closer range than the Circles, Upper and Dress. You have to be closer to appreciate the facial expressions, especially at the release from the barricade scene.
Jeff Leyton and Michael McCarthy
This was a pairing I was really looking forward to. Jeff's performance at TAC hinted at spectacular and Michael, as always, could never fail to impress. With each performance, he just got better and better. So, Jeff's interpretation, while certainly not bad, was not half as well as I expected. His voice is very nice, no complaints there, but his portrayal lacked an ingredient that I can't really put a name to. He went through the motions and sang all the right words (Chelmsford, anyone?!!) but he just didn't convince me that he really WAS Valjean. I must add here that his version of Bring Him Home is his raison d'�tre and he gives it everything he has, but I was expecting him to shine and he merely glimmered. He is also quite slightly built, so the physical aspect was quite good but I prefer them to be more evenly matched. Having said all that, I'd still pay money to see him, but he wouldn't be in my top 3.
Jeff Leyton and Hartwig Rudolz
Ahhh, Hartwig. What a star. At first, I was obviously disappointed that Michael had left the company, but eagerly awaiting our new Javert. The first thing you notice about Hardy is his sheer physical presence on the stage - he's a man mountain! He's about 6ft 5 and built to last and his voice comes up from his boots. His general acting was superb. That's when I really fell for the Inspector!! The contrast between the two was even more marked this time. Jeff's performance again was adequate, but it was Hardy who was the star of the show for me. His German accent helped his portrayal along nicely, and I found myself for the first time slowly creeping over to the side of the enforcer rather than the hero.
Phil Cavill and Hartwig Rudolz
Back by popular demand, for a special one-off performance, I felt that my life was complete!! Having been gradually sucked into the world of the dogged policeman, it was a relief to be able to return back to the arms of my beloved Jean (we've known each other such a long time now, I feel we're on first-name terms.) Phil had not lost any of his gentle persuasive tunefulness and the the tears were rolling each time he appeared on stage. Hardy completed the picture with a fine performance opposite my own first choice and it was a glorious night.
John Owen Jones and Hartwig Rudolz
Having already been acquainted with Hardy's Javert I could concentrate more on this interloper, John Owen Jones. I'd already seen him as Enjolras and he was our regular Grantaire, so I was not entirely sure what he would make of the main man. (Phil's brief appearance had restored JVJ as the main man.) Again, I needn't have worried in the least. John gave an assured performance for one so young. He played it just the way I like it - gentle, persuasive and downright lovely. A star was born and the next 5 visits had to be made on a Monday or Tuesday to see him. He was a better match physically for Hardy, and the two of them were another dream ticket. He obviously studied at the Cavill School of Drama.
John Owen Jones and Ethan Freeman
Well, this was another whole new experience. I'd never seen Ethan perform in anything or even heard him, so whatever he was going to do was to be a first for me. He played the role to his own specifications and completely turned him around. He was far more manic (especially for the suicide) than I'd seen before and it did take a while to get used to the fact that Javert must be played to each actors capabilities, and not to a standard which will obviously get watered down in time.
He added several nice touches - returning to the barricades he was breathless and some of his phrasing made you think differently about the words. He seemed far more matter of fact than the others - certainly less subtle. He didn't move me away from my original first love, but I think he's going to be a Javert that will be remembered fondly by the public. Plus he's got gorgeous brown eyes.
John's departure to join the tour cast as stand-by Valjean was a bitter blow. Stig was returning to the role he had previously played in London and on tour, but so did Karrie, so that was no recommendation. My first impression of Stig was how much like Phil his voice was, only more powerful. He's another who is built like the proverbial barn door and the contrast with Ethan's rather slight frame was startling. However, I cannot find one single thing that Stig did wrong. He had me grizzling right from the word goes, and his rendition of Who Am I comes out from the walls around you. I think this could be the start of a beautiful relationship - and I already have a signed photo J
OK so this has not happened yet, but it's being worked on by each corner of the Globe. Just thinking about these two together on stage brings me out in goosebumps. If you ever hear a whisper that it might come off, buy shares in Kleenex at once. This would be my ultimate pairing. The two most moving voices on the face of the Earth playing the two characters I most love.
'When the beating of your heart
Starts at the mention of their names
It's for the future that we pray
They'll return on stage.'
Vol 2. - UNTIL THE EARTH IS FREE
This time our heroic student leader Enjolras comes under the spotlight. For me, Enjolras should be brave enough to lead a revolution, charismatic enough to persuade all his friends to join him, proud enough to believe he will change the World and honest enough to admit it when things don't quite work out. The actor playing the part does not have to be particularly young as long as his voice holds up, I don't really mind, and neither does he necessarily have to be that good-looking (which is only a matter of opinion anyway) but it helps if he is not 'aesthetically-challenged.' So, read on for a summary of those that I have seen�
David Malek.
This is a short review of his performance because, to be honest, I only ever saw him once (sound familiar?) and it was my first visit, and I was so busy concentrating on the words that I really don't remember a great deal about him. Sorry, David.
David Bardsley.
Now, HIM, I DO remember. David has a very mature voice that is perfectly suited to Enjolras. Of the four times I saw him, he was always on top form. His general acting is superb and his portrayal is both convincing and touching. His friendship with Marius is believable, and the lines during Red and Black beginning 'Marius, you're no longer a child' can sometimes come across as rather condescending. David is able to get over the fact by softening-up the following 'I do not doubt you mean it well' line, so you're not left thinking that Marius has been told off!! And in front of all his friends, too. His entrance for One Day More in his little red and gold waistcoat is just stunning. His voice rings out the words with perfect timing and makes you sit up in your seats. Another plus - the only one I've seen who always caught the flag, which may be more to do with the throwing skills of Feuilly than with David's catching. The main question with Enjolras is, I suppose, would you follow him to the barricades? The answer for David is yes, I would. He is authoritative and commanding until the Final Battle, where, after Gavroche's death, he is obviously not as sure as he was and his mini-breakdown without the use of histrionics is very powerful. And he dies most spectacularly. For those of you with the TAC video, David is the one playing Combeferre and he is wearing a green scarf. For those of you who still need me to spell it out - well, go and see for yourself. What he may lack in height, he makes up for in lung-power. And the eyes.
Glyn Kerslake
Glyn has without a doubt a superb voice. I've seen his performance of Enjolras eleven times now, and each time he gave something different. First couple of times, after Gavroche's death, he was sobbing on the barricades when the scene shifted round again. Personally, I didn't like this and I am glad to report that he didn't do it after the first couple of times. An actor of his calibre should be able to show the numbness without being quite so obvious. Anyway, that out of the way, Glyn can concentrate on what he does best - singing. His diction is superb and the general tone of his voice is quite something: warm and gentle sometimes, but he can really get his wild up when he needs to. On the whole, I'd say that Glyn was a more harsh Enjolras than David. His relationship with Marius seemed more detached and with Grantaire it was almost non-existent. 'Grantaire PUT the bottle down' was almost spat out at him. As a leader he was certainly convincing but he didn't interact as much with the other students, and yes, again I would have gone with him, but I don't think I would have enjoyed my revolt quite as much. I know I'm not supposed to be enjoying it, but a girl can dream. He does tend to order the troops around rather more than the others! As a footnote, when Glyn returns as the Wedding usher, his exit was hilarious, practically Riverdance !!!
Matthew Cammelle
Matthew returning to the Palace after his 3-year long stint as Marius was a lovely surprise. But what would he make of the noble leader? Well, listen my friends, I will tell what I can. He was simply wonderful. I don't know if his years of playing Marius gave him more of an understanding of the relationship, but he was far kinder to our romantic hero. Playing opposite Graham Mackay Bruce or Andrew Keelan probably helps - both of them look about fifteen. How could you look into Graham's eyes and be nasty to him? Matt conveys all the aspects of Enjolras' character so well that I'd gladly go the barricades with him, but not only for *those* reasons - Matt is another who can be seen on the TAC video as Feuilly and I know I don't need to say any more than that. His voice has magically transformed from Marius into a near-perfect Enjolras during the time he was away. When he sings 'She is the first to fall' he is obviously choked because he does it with a catch in his throat. Nice little touches add to the relationship with Grantaire; putting the bottle down is more of a gentle scold than a severe reprimand. During Drink with Me, he takes the bottle from Grantaire, and after some careful consideration, and the desperation on Grantaire's face, hands it back with a smile. He takes the time to rally the troops during the more desperate times - a squeeze on the shoulder here or a shared joke there - making it seem like they're all in it together. I'm more than pleased that he now has the role permanently. Of course Enjolras is a lot more than just a pretty face, but with Matt we certainly have the best of all possible Worlds. By that I mean it's not just his face!!Any comments? Julie would be glad to hear from you.�
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