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Her Majesty's Theatre

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Attraction | "An Opera Ghost, Prima Donna AND an Angel of Music... "

The Phantom of the Opera Photo - Her Majesty's Theatre, London, England

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Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's, 'The Phantom of the Opera' first opened at Her Majesty's Theatre, in London's Haymarket, in September 1986 and is now in it's 24th year. It is said to be the most successful musical, in a financial sense, ever. It is definitely one of the most popular. 'Phantom of the Opera' is shown in many countries, with great acclaim. It has won many awards worldwide.BACKGROUNDA French author named Gaston Leroux had his book published in 1911 but, unfortunately, sales weren't especially great. In 1925 Lon Chaney senior starred in the film version. And then, in 1986, we had Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical version, with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman playing the...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on December 16, 2010

Her Majesty's Theatre
Haymarket
London, England SW1Y4QL
+44 (207) 494 5400

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Queens Theatre

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Attraction | "LES MISERABLES-a truly brilliant musical"

Les Miserables Photo - Queens Theatre, London, England

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This year brings us the 25th anniversary year of the musical stage version of Les Miserables. As it is an important anniversary, Les Miserables will be running for a limited time at both The Queen's Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, and at the Barbican, This is the only musical to be shown at two London theatres at the same time.In my opinion Les Miserables is the most incredible show I have ever seen and probably ever will. For me it has everything and, as a treat for my son's twenty-first birthday in January, I will be taking my family to see it again. This will be my son and his girlfriend's first time to see this show. I think my son became so fed up with myself, my husband and my youngest ...Read More

This year brings us the 25th anniversary year of the musical stage version of Les Miserables. As it is an important anniversary, Les Miserables will be running for a limited time at both The Queen's Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, and at the Barbican, This is the only musical to be shown at two London theatres at the same time.

In my opinion Les Miserables is the most incredible show I have ever seen and probably ever will. For me it has everything and, as a treat for my son's twenty-first birthday in January, I will be taking my family to see it again. This will be my son and his girlfriend's first time to see this show. I think my son became so fed up with myself, my husband and my youngest daughter enthusing over it that he felt they had to see it for themselves, so chose this show to go to for the birthday outing. He is familiar, as we all are, with the score, as little sis sings the songs a lot and has won some competitions singing two of the songs. She also plays, as do I, more of the songs on Youtube or we put on the tenth anniversary C.D.

Les Miserables is based upon the novel by Victor Hugo, which he wrote in 1862. The novel is quite heavy going but still worth a try as it depicts a turbulent time in French history, post revolution and a very unsettled era indeed.Poverty is still widespread but there is great wealth shared by a very privileged few.

Cameron Mackintosh's production of the musical version has lyrics written by Herbert Kretzmer and music composed by Claude- Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil.

There are no spoken words in this show, which was a concern...until the show started and I was enraptured from the start. I would strongly suggest though that you have some understanding of the story line before watching Les Mis, as I think this makes it much easier to digest and enjoy. It isn't complicated once you are familiar with the main characters. Then let the beautiful music flow through you and you won't even notice the lack of dialogue.

The story begins with Jean Valjean , on parole from prison. He was in captivity after being caught stealing a loaf of bread. He has his prison number tatooed on him (Prisoner 24601!) and will find it difficult to live an honest life with the prejudice and poverty that abounds. Valjean is given shelter and food by a kindly bishop but ends up making off with the silver. He is caught but fortunately the benevolent bishop defends him by saying that it was a gift. Following this Valjean vows that he will repay this kindness by redeeming himself by doing good. He assumes anew identity so that he can live a new and honest life, and help others. The problem Javert, the policeman, is determined to catch him out. He doesn't keep to the terms of his parole as feels he will not be treated fairly and cannot then help others.

A little further along, through ignorance he wrongs Fantine, who is struggling to support her illegitimate daughter, Cosette. I don't want to give too much away, although, I knew the story before I went and I think that's the best way but for those who would rather discover the plot along the way I'll try simply to give an understanding from hereon.
Jean Valjean promises to care for Cosette and acts as her parent. They adore each other. We now follow the lives through the music and song of these characters and more. Eponine is suffering with unrequited love for Marius and she sings the heart rending song, 'On my own'. I love each and every song in this musical for it's own worth and the way the music ties in and blends so wonderfully. The best known must be, 'I dreamed a dream' sung by Fantine, 'Empty Chairs' sung by Marius and 'Bring Him Home' sung by Valjean. Some songs are quite comical and a little rude. The Inkeeper and his wife, The Thenardiers, are awful but comical.This is definitely an adult musical, apart from those teenagers obsessed with musicals, such as my daughter.

I went to see this musical as a special treat for my sixteen year old, who had just obtained her exam results. She loves musicals and hopes to have a career in them so, after her hard work I believed a treat was well deserved. I booked the seats direct with the theatre and as it was short notice collected them from the box office (If you do this you must remember to take along the credit or debit card used to book the tickets to redeem them). I paid a little over £60 for each ticket plus booking fee. I think that West End musicals charge an extortionate amount but, as this musical is so special to her I wanted the visit to be memorable, so wanted good seats. It was worth the price to us but of course, if it were cheaper we could then afford to go to see musicals more often. I can't remember if we had row D or E but it was one of those and centre of the row. I was very lucky to get these seats as they were perfect. I think someone must have cancelled and we got their seats. We were close enough to be able to see the expressions on the actors faces but not so close as too get a stiff neck. Although it's expensive I would pay this again as it was so special. A shame if you paid this amount and were disappointed with your seats.
I would recommend if seeing any show to first visit www.theatremonkey.com and view a seating plan. One can also read theatre goers opinions on particular seats.

I marvelled at this show, as did my husband and daughter. I felt my eyes well up almost immediately as the music in this show really gets to me and I was also overawed by the talent of the actors involved.
On our visit the marvellous David Shannon played Valjean and Nancy Sullivan made a very good Eponine. David Shannon is no longer with 'Les Mis' but is now playing a brilliant 'Phantom'. The whole cast was great and deserved their standing ovation.

I look forward to seeing this wonderful show again and again. It deserves more than 5 stars! I have now also seen the 25th Anniversary concert held at the O2 in October 2010. I still marvel at the music and just about everything included in this wonderful piece of theatre at its best. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 16, 2010

Queens Theatre
51 Shaftesbury Avenue
London, England W1D 6BA
+44 20 7494 5041

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The O2 Entertainment Center

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Attraction | "Queuing and Queuing to Go O2ing!"

The O2 Arena Photo - The O2 Entertainment Center, London, England

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Sunday October 3rd, 2010 was the day the O2 in London was holding the 25th Anniversary Concert of 'Les Miserables.' The novel, Les Miserables, was written by Victor Hugo in 1862. This novel was, much later, made into a musical by Alain Bloublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. It was first shown at the Barbican, London, in October, 1985. I've seen Les Miserables, at London's Queen's theatre and thought it wonderful. My seventeen year old daughter is obsessed with, 'Les Miz' and has performed on stage, singing songs from it such as, and 'I dreamed a dream' and,' On My Own.' I believed her when she said that it was an event not to be missed. The tickets were priced at £30, £50, £100 ...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on December 16, 2010

The O2 Entertainment Center
Peninsula Square
Greenwich, London SE10 0DX
020 8463 2000

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Bella Italia

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Restaurant | "BUON GIORNO EALING"

Bella Italia Photo - Bella Italia, London, England

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WHERE TO DINE? My youngest daughter has recently left home to study at university. My husband and I and the daughter in question felt we would give her a few weeks to settle and find new friends before visiting. We did this until a few weeks ago when we felt the time had come for a visit to renew our acquaintance! Two of her siblings had prior commitments on the day arranged and so there were five of us included in this outing; myself, my husband, our youngest son and his girlfriend and, of course, the daughter who we were going to see. Four of us set off one Sunday morning. Fortunately my daughter's university and its accommodation aren't too far away meaning we can visit for ...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 8, 2011

Bella Italia
36 New Broadway
Ealing, London
020 8579 7089

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Sharod

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Restaurant | "The Food's Great and So Is The Atmosphere"

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I enjoy going out for a meal but, as I don’t eat meat, finding a place with a decent menu to suit both myself and my husband (who does eat meat) isn’t always easy. I find that my preferred choice of restaurant is definitely Indian. I find this food is usually of good quality, good value and, as many Asians don’t eat meat, always seems to offer a great choice for vegetarians as well as meat eaters. The area where I live, in the London/Essex borders, has quite a high population of Asian citizens, and so this may well be the reason that we have a wonderful selection of Indian restaurants. One of my favourite choices from these has to be Sharod Indian Restaurant in Barkingside, Essex.I h...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 25, 2011

Sharod
3 State Parade
London, England 6 2
+44 20 85515550

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