Awesome... but if you get a chance to watch the 25th Anniversary version, Valjean quartet, do for your own enjoyment (copyright would probably stop a reaction). It's next level.
i'm a fan of Les Mis and Alfie. This is what I think happened: Certainly by 1990, Cameron Macintosh began shopping LM to various studios for a movie. "But, Cameron baby, nobody goes to see movie musicals anymore." By 2010, LM had proved it had legs, 25 yrs running on stage and road shows, and had been translated into 46 languages (whch meant a worldwide audience). Universal picked it up, but only with final say on casting. Cameron began looking for a perfect Valjean. Michael Ball (the original "Marius") recommended Alfie. Young, handsome, with the voice of an angel, everyone loved him. Especially Claude-Michel Schoenberg, the composer. Alfie went into the 25th Anniversary Concert with only 11 stage performances(!) under his belt. I think Cameron meant the 25th LM as a kind of "audition" for Alfie. He aced it. Five minute standing ovation. Cameron was sold, Universal was not. Most musical leads are baritones, deeper voice that carries better on stage, and more "authority." That's how LM was originally written. But the only singer/actor Cam found in 1984 that embodied the role was Colm Wilkerson, a tenor. Valjean was rewritten for a temor voice, and they added 'Bring Him Home" at almost the last minute. In 2010, I think Universal had already tentatively signed Russell Crowe as Javert . Russell is a great actor, but he is not a "musical" singer. Crowe saw Alfie on stage. Up against Alfie, he would sound like a frog. Universal wanted another lead. They picked Hugh Jackman, a friend of Crowe's -- but a baritone. That's why Jackman could not hit those wonderful high notes in Valjean's part. No matter how hard he tried. (Jackman saw a vocal coach to extend his range up. It didn't take.) Btw, by 2012, complete clips of LM25 were "playing" on youtube, nearly 1.5 million views. A month before the movie's premiere, Universal began enforcing copyright and taking down ANY clip of LM25 -- starting with anything of Alfie,. Even Alfie's British tv/radio interviews where clips of LM25 "Bring Him Home" was aired. There would be no online comparisons between Boe and Jackman. And Decca, a Universal company, had signed Boe for albums, but that meant they also had complete control of what he sang....
100% He should have got the part in the movie his voice is unmatched and this part is his if you ever saw his performances in the live shows you would agree with me .
I saw Alfie in les mis in the west end and he was amazing… I’ve booked to see him and Michael Ball in the les Mis Spectacular at Newcastle Jan 2025 and I can’t wait! Ax
I adore Alfie Boe and seen him live several times in Les Mis, Carousel and a few concerts but he would not have been right for the movie, his acting is a little bit wooden but his voice is so amazing.
Please, please, please react to Barricade Boys, "Bring Him Home" in support of the NHS filmed during 2020 at the beginning of Covid. So many incredible artists bringing their voices together in support. Official London Theatre UA-cam channel. Love your channel. Thank you from Mexico.
He sings rather well don't you think? When he was a teenager he worked as a waiter for me, a lovely lad, I as an angry chef tore him a new asshole for no particular reason, the look on his face made me think about my actions that night.
Alfie is a tremendous stage performer....however movies are multi million dollar investments and a world audience needs a name....so Hugh jackman got it... The movie is actors who can sing Not simgers who can act... It is what it is shame but its all about risk of boxoffice MONEY
Only in the eyes of narrow minded people , Alfie's talent shines like a beacon and to me they missed out in making what was a good movie a masterpiece .
Fantastic, kudos to you for knowing the lyrics, I have seen a few other videos where they didn't have a clue what they were watching.
Awesome... but if you get a chance to watch the 25th Anniversary version, Valjean quartet, do for your own enjoyment (copyright would probably stop a reaction). It's next level.
i'm a fan of Les Mis and Alfie. This is what I think happened:
Certainly by 1990, Cameron Macintosh began shopping LM to various studios for a movie. "But, Cameron baby, nobody goes to see movie musicals anymore." By 2010, LM had proved it had legs, 25 yrs running on stage and road shows, and had been translated into 46 languages (whch meant a worldwide audience). Universal picked it up, but only with final say on casting. Cameron began looking for a perfect Valjean. Michael Ball (the original "Marius") recommended Alfie. Young, handsome, with the voice of an angel, everyone loved him. Especially Claude-Michel Schoenberg, the composer.
Alfie went into the 25th Anniversary Concert with only 11 stage performances(!) under his belt. I think Cameron meant the 25th LM as a kind of "audition" for Alfie. He aced it. Five minute standing ovation. Cameron was sold, Universal was not.
Most musical leads are baritones, deeper voice that carries better on stage, and more "authority." That's how LM was originally written. But the only singer/actor Cam found in 1984 that embodied the role was Colm Wilkerson, a tenor. Valjean was rewritten for a temor voice, and they added 'Bring Him Home" at almost the last minute.
In 2010, I think Universal had already tentatively signed Russell Crowe as Javert . Russell is a great actor, but he is not a "musical" singer. Crowe saw Alfie on stage. Up against Alfie, he would sound like a frog. Universal wanted another lead. They picked Hugh Jackman, a friend of Crowe's -- but a baritone. That's why Jackman could not hit those wonderful high notes in Valjean's part. No matter how hard he tried. (Jackman saw a vocal coach to extend his range up. It didn't take.)
Btw, by 2012, complete clips of LM25 were "playing" on youtube, nearly 1.5 million views. A month before the movie's premiere, Universal began enforcing copyright and taking down ANY clip of LM25 -- starting with anything of Alfie,. Even Alfie's British tv/radio interviews where clips of LM25 "Bring Him Home" was aired. There would be no online comparisons between Boe and Jackman. And Decca, a Universal company, had signed Boe for albums, but that meant they also had complete control of what he sang....
One of my favourite songs and never fails to bring a few tears a memory of my Dad who sadly passed away in 2020
100% He should have got the part in the movie his voice is unmatched and this part is his if you ever saw his performances in the live shows you would agree with me .
Suspect he’d of overpowered the rest of the cast combined! Different level of vocal power & quality all together.
I saw Alfie in les mis in the west end and he was amazing… I’ve booked to see him and Michael Ball in the les Mis Spectacular at Newcastle Jan 2025 and I can’t wait! Ax
Wow. That was beautiful.
I have seen le mis 3 times in the west end and was lucky enough to see Alfie in the main role
I adore Alfie Boe and seen him live several times in Les Mis, Carousel and a few concerts but he would not have been right for the movie, his acting is a little bit wooden but his voice is so amazing.
Please, please, please react to Barricade Boys, "Bring Him Home" in support of the NHS filmed during 2020 at the beginning of Covid. So many incredible artists bringing their voices together in support. Official London Theatre UA-cam channel. Love your channel. Thank you from Mexico.
Wonder how many guys like me tried to sing along a little bit to see if they could sound like that, only to be instantly disappointed.
He sings rather well don't you think? When he was a teenager he worked as a waiter for me, a lovely lad, I as an angry chef tore him a new asshole for no particular reason, the look on his face made me think about my actions that night.
The producers of the movie only wanted big names and sacrificed the singing for the stars.
👍
Alfie is a tremendous stage performer....however movies are multi million dollar investments and a world audience needs a name....so Hugh jackman got it...
The movie is actors who can sing
Not simgers who can act...
It is what it is shame but its all about risk of boxoffice MONEY
Only in the eyes of narrow minded people , Alfie's talent shines like a beacon and to me they missed out in making what was a good movie a masterpiece .
Ist french musicien compositeur des misserable