Les Misérables
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Re: Les Misérables
He'd still be good as Thenardier. He's been in films too. I'm sure they can find people good for the Thenardiers regardless.phantomfett wrote:It'd be fun to see Alun Armstrong in the film!
Amen. CamMac isn't perfect in terms of casting and treating his shows with respect. But he's certainly doing better justice for this film so far than ALW did with Phantom. And it all starts with the director.This cast makes me strangely jealous/bitter in a way -- jealous that the film of Phantom had about 0.00000000000000000000001% of the talent of this film.
Re: Les Misérables
That's what I've been saying! I'd just die if he did.LadyCDaae wrote:I for one would love to see Wilkinson as the bishop.
~LCD
![Very Happy](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_biggrin.png)
Viscountess- Posts : 266
Join date : 2009-09-22
Re: Les Misérables
Don't know if this is confirmed-confirmed yet but Sacha Baron Cohen is supposed to be M. Thenardier:
http://tinyurl.com/thenardier-1
http://tinyurl.com/thenardier-1
PhantomsGhost- Posts : 246
Join date : 2011-06-09
Age : 123
Location : Austin, TX
Re: Les Misérables
According to Broadway.com, Aaron Tveit has been cast as Enjolras.
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/158912/broadways-aaron-tveit-to-storm-the-barricades-in-les-miserables-film/
As a shameless Aaron Tveit fangirl... I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this. I think he could be really good in the role, but I also think he could be really bad in the role. But I'm going to be positive and assume the former.![Smile](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_smile.gif)
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/158912/broadways-aaron-tveit-to-storm-the-barricades-in-les-miserables-film/
As a shameless Aaron Tveit fangirl... I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this. I think he could be really good in the role, but I also think he could be really bad in the role. But I'm going to be positive and assume the former.
![Smile](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_smile.gif)
phantomphan1992- Posts : 223
Join date : 2009-10-01
Age : 32
Location : Dallas, TX
Re: Les Misérables
phantomphan1992 wrote:According to Broadway.com, Aaron Tveit has been cast as Enjolras.
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/158912/broadways-aaron-tveit-to-storm-the-barricades-in-les-miserables-film/
As a shameless Aaron Tveit fangirl... I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this. I think he could be really good in the role, but I also think he could be really bad in the role. But I'm going to be positive and assume the former.
This. I think he would have been an AMAZING Marius.
But Enjolras? Someone got into a row with me saying that Enjolras its young, naiive, and inexperienced and Aaron will play that quite well.
I don't know, Aaron doesn't seem like the kind of person who I'd follow over the barricade.
ML6- Posts : 873
Join date : 2009-10-28
Age : 36
Location : USA
Re: Les Misérables
I hadn't heard of him, but I don't have any objections based on the few clips I saw on YouTube. Doesn't seem to have the big baritone voice I'd prefer for the role, but he'll do.
Re: Les Misérables
ML6 wrote:phantomphan1992 wrote:According to Broadway.com, Aaron Tveit has been cast as Enjolras.
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/158912/broadways-aaron-tveit-to-storm-the-barricades-in-les-miserables-film/
As a shameless Aaron Tveit fangirl... I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this. I think he could be really good in the role, but I also think he could be really bad in the role. But I'm going to be positive and assume the former.
This. I think he would have been an AMAZING Marius.
But Enjolras? Someone got into a row with me saying that Enjolras its young, naiive, and inexperienced and Aaron will play that quite well.
I don't know, Aaron doesn't seem like the kind of person who I'd follow over the barricade.
Aaron Tveit as Marius would have killed me. But I would have died happy.
phantomphan1992- Posts : 223
Join date : 2009-10-01
Age : 32
Location : Dallas, TX
Re: Les Misérables
I saw Aaron Tveit as Link in Hairspray around this time in 2006 and liked him...though that's not really the most dramatic, challenging role in the history of musical theatre. (And I remember chatting with him for a minute or two in a downstairs lobby area while I was looking for someone.)
I like a charismatic Enjolras...with a sort of zealous magnetism that makes people want to follow him to the barricades. I don't know if Aaron can pull that off...but I do hope so.
I like a charismatic Enjolras...with a sort of zealous magnetism that makes people want to follow him to the barricades. I don't know if Aaron can pull that off...but I do hope so.
Re: Les Misérables
A couple links on the movie:
http://broadwayworld.com/article/Hugh-Jackman-Confirms-LES-MISRABLES-to-Begin-Rehearsing-in-January-Film-in-March-20111227
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iQAmpGw3Zkw3phHaiiMcG1JuGcKg?docId=N0673261325067794885A
So they'll be singing live on set. I wonder if reporters might have misinterpreted that tip, because I imagine what it means is that they'll still record the vocals in the studio, but that Hooper wants them to look believable, so he'll want them to actually sing while filming rather than just miming.
http://broadwayworld.com/article/Hugh-Jackman-Confirms-LES-MISRABLES-to-Begin-Rehearsing-in-January-Film-in-March-20111227
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iQAmpGw3Zkw3phHaiiMcG1JuGcKg?docId=N0673261325067794885A
So they'll be singing live on set. I wonder if reporters might have misinterpreted that tip, because I imagine what it means is that they'll still record the vocals in the studio, but that Hooper wants them to look believable, so he'll want them to actually sing while filming rather than just miming.
Re: Les Misérables
I think you got that right. A set will have too much background noise to be film quality, no matter how well the cast sings. But they might use it as a basis and put sound on top - or as you suggested, just make it look more believable.SenorSwanky wrote:A couple links on the movie:
http://broadwayworld.com/article/Hugh-Jackman-Confirms-LES-MISRABLES-to-Begin-Rehearsing-in-January-Film-in-March-20111227
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iQAmpGw3Zkw3phHaiiMcG1JuGcKg?docId=N0673261325067794885A
So they'll be singing live on set. I wonder if reporters might have misinterpreted that tip, because I imagine what it means is that they'll still record the vocals in the studio, but that Hooper wants them to look believable, so he'll want them to actually sing while filming rather than just miming.
And I am SURE such live singing clips will be used for all its worth in promo, to silence the sceptic voices and to show how stellar the cast and the movie is...
![Smile](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_smile.gif)
Re: Les Misérables
operafantomet wrote:I think you got that right. A set will have too much background noise to be film quality, no matter how well the cast sings. But they might use it as a basis and put sound on top - or as you suggested, just make it look more believable.SenorSwanky wrote:A couple links on the movie:
http://broadwayworld.com/article/Hugh-Jackman-Confirms-LES-MISRABLES-to-Begin-Rehearsing-in-January-Film-in-March-20111227
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iQAmpGw3Zkw3phHaiiMcG1JuGcKg?docId=N0673261325067794885A
So they'll be singing live on set. I wonder if reporters might have misinterpreted that tip, because I imagine what it means is that they'll still record the vocals in the studio, but that Hooper wants them to look believable, so he'll want them to actually sing while filming rather than just miming.
And I am SURE such live singing clips will be used for all its worth in promo, to silence the sceptic voices and to show how stellar the cast and the movie is...![]()
I may be wrong, but I *believe* that Rex Harrison did all his singing for My Fair Lady live. I think I also remember reading a couple other musicals did all their singing live and only did a few of the big number songs to a pre-recorded track.
I don't trust this cast to do a live stint, though.
ML6- Posts : 873
Join date : 2009-10-28
Age : 36
Location : USA
Re: Les Misérables
Yeah, I imagine some more intimate scenes and lines can be sung live, but the ensemble numbers like the barricade scenes and One Day More and Master of the House will probably mostly rely on pre-recorded tracks.
Re: Les Misérables
So can we trust the rumors saying Amanda Seyfried is cast as Cosette, and Taylor Swift as Eponine?
Re: Les Misérables
Well, they're both incredibly cute, so at least they'll be nice to look at. I wasn't aware Seyfried is opera-trained, but I'll trust Hooper on this one. He's put together quite a nice cast, I think. Known names except for Marius and Enjolras, but they all seem to at least be able to sing, and we know Jackman, Crowe, and Hathaway will put in fine performances. I can kind of see Swift as Eponine too. She's kind of a gawky waif, and the only song of hers I like (You Belong With Me) is Eponine's story, On My Own in different words.
Re: Les Misérables
I'm actually positively surprised by the casting of Amanda Seyfried. She has good pipes, and she's quite magnetic on the screen, without loosing the innocent appearance.
I wouldn't claim she is opera trained - that implies she's trained for everything needed for staging an opera - but classically trained I can see. The ABBA songs might seem like light pop stuff, but try singing them. Many of the songs are complex, and some demand a solid range. It's the same kind of complexity the composers put into their "Kristina" musical, and also into "Chess". Those songs aren't for newbies, as you've probably heard if you've listened to karaoke versions...
Taylor Swift was a bigger surprise...
I wouldn't claim she is opera trained - that implies she's trained for everything needed for staging an opera - but classically trained I can see. The ABBA songs might seem like light pop stuff, but try singing them. Many of the songs are complex, and some demand a solid range. It's the same kind of complexity the composers put into their "Kristina" musical, and also into "Chess". Those songs aren't for newbies, as you've probably heard if you've listened to karaoke versions...
Taylor Swift was a bigger surprise...
Re: Les Misérables
If she can hit the high notes, I'm good with Seyfried--she has a charming screen presence and her singing was one of the few things about Mamma Mia I actually liked. Swift I'm a little less pleased with--pop singers who can successfully make the jump to acting are few and far between--but like Swanky, I'm willing to give Hooper the benefit of the doubt. After all, I probably wouldn't have thought of Helena Bonham-Carter to play the Queen Mum either, and that turned out rather well.
~LCD
![Smile](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_smile.gif)
~LCD
Re: Les Misérables
If any of you are friends with Ashley Matthews (who rarely comes on this board anymore) on FB, we got into a lengthy debate about these two bits of casting last night.
Re: Les Misérables
Didn't Swift guest star on some TV crime drama at some point? I thought I read that somewhere. All in all, I'm glad they found people who can sing. Whether they can sing the material required of them remains to be seen.
But it's still leagues ahead of that Schumacher crap.
R.
But it's still leagues ahead of that Schumacher crap.
R.
Re: Les Misérables
It is always preferable to pre-record the vocal tracks prior to filming because you are locked into whatever you're filmed mouthing. In other words, if you record live on set and you're too fast or too slow, you have to match that tempo in the studio when you record the final audio tracks. Singing live along with the track on set will keep you in time with the music and allow you as an actor to concentrate more on projecting emotion physically in addition to actually look like you're singing (you can always tell when someone's lip-synching silently to a pre-record since their throat is doing absolutely nothing).operafantomet wrote:I think you got that right. A set will have too much background noise to be film quality, no matter how well the cast sings. But they might use it as a basis and put sound on top - or as you suggested, just make it look more believable.
And I am SURE such live singing clips will be used for all its worth in promo, to silence the sceptic voices and to show how stellar the cast and the movie is...![]()
In Mamma Mia!, they used some of the live singing in the film (the most obvious being the intro to "Super Trouper") because it served the purpose of the scene. As Swanky said, the smaller, more intimate scenes will be the more likely candidates for being recorded live.
R.
Re: Les Misérables
Raphael wrote:Didn't Swift guest star on some TV crime drama at some point? I thought I read that somewhere.
IMDb to the rescue--she was the victim-of-the-week in an episode of CSI (original) in 2009. (Synopsis here.) I kind of remember the episode but not much about her performance, which at least means it wasn't terrible like the Justin Bieber guest spot the following season.
All in all, I'm glad they found people who can sing. Whether they can sing the material required of them remains to be seen.
But it's still leagues ahead of that Schumacher crap.
Very true. Assembling a big-name cast for a musical can be hit (Hairspray, Chicago) or miss (Paint Your Wagon, the aforementioned Mamma Mia), but at least some effort is being put into finding people with credible vocal talent for this.
~LCD
Re: Les Misérables
Other than Pierce Brosnan's singing, I kind of liked Mamma Mia.
Swift played a ditzy cheerleader in Valentine's Day. That's the only thing I've seen her act in. She was incredibly annoying in it, but intentionally and funnily so, unlike Lea Michele, another candidate to play the role in the film, who is just an annoying person.
Swift played a ditzy cheerleader in Valentine's Day. That's the only thing I've seen her act in. She was incredibly annoying in it, but intentionally and funnily so, unlike Lea Michele, another candidate to play the role in the film, who is just an annoying person.
Re: Les Misérables
Yes, often you can tell that the movie track is different from that of the CD; the latter being more polished. I am 90% sure they also used a live or partly live version of "The Winner Takes It All" in the movie. The track from the movie is not identical to the one on the CD, and to be frank I found the movie one more touching.Raphael wrote:In Mamma Mia!, they used some of the live singing in the film (the most obvious being the intro to "Super Trouper") because it served the purpose of the scene. As Swanky said, the smaller, more intimate scenes will be the more likely candidates for being recorded live.
But I digress....
Re: Les Misérables
I also vaguely recall the audio commentary for that scene indicating they used a mixture of pre-recorded and live for that song as well (live must have been a pain considering the amount of wind they had) because Streep's live stuff felt more emotionally "raw."
And like Swanky, besides Brosnan's vocals, I rather enjoyed the movie as a whole. A fun bit of fluffy entertainment.
R.
And like Swanky, besides Brosnan's vocals, I rather enjoyed the movie as a whole. A fun bit of fluffy entertainment.
R.
Re: Les Misérables
It's been really interesting to see the cast for this film come together. Nearly all of them were people I wasn't expecting for those roles, but many of them make quite a bit of sense now that I think about it. And certainly, I think it's shaping up to be much, much better than the 2004 POTO movie looked even from the very early stages; at least all the main performers have some kind of singing experience, and the leading man has actually been in stage musicals!
I was sure Hugh Jackman's chance to be in a live-action musical film would happen at some point, but I admit I was a bit surprised that it ended up being as Valjean in LM. I always thought he seemed like a baritone or baritenor from the clips I've seen of him singing (though some have described him as a tenor, so maybe they know something I don't). But then again, this is a film and not a stage production, so he doesn't necessarily need to project those high notes out to an audience. I'm hoping they won't have to put his songs in a lower key... but then again, some stage productions (particularly in Japan and Quebec) did, so perhaps it could work.
When Anne Hathaway was mentioned as a possibility for the film, I figured she'd be playing Cosette... so I was a bit surprised to find out she had been cast as Fantine. But then again, she's been pigeonholed in "princess" roles for so long that I'm glad she's getting to break out of that both with this film and The Dark Knight Rises, as well as her Oscar-nominated performance in 2008's Rachel Getting Married.
Based on what I've heard of Russell Crowe singing, I think he may be good as Javert. He can certainly look and act the part, so I hope he'll be up to it vocally as well. I must admit, though, that after seeing a clip of Robert Downey, Jr. singing in a film and wondering if he could still pull that off, a part of me will continue to wonder what he might've been like in the role.
My thoughts on Eddie Redmayne as Marius went a little something like this...
Before hearing clips of him singing: "Thank the lord that they didn't go for Nick Jonas or Justin Bieber! Now, who's this guy?"
After hearing clips of him singing: "
Wow... I think I may end up liking him more than Michael Ball!"
It's premature to be thinking along those lines, of course, but I think Redmayne's performance is the one I'm most looking forward to... and that's saying something because there are incredibly few Mariuses I liked much at all (at least in English-language productions).
After the rumors about Geoffrey Rush, I was caught totally by surprise when they announced that Sacha Baron Cohen was going to play Thénardier. Then I wondered why I hadn't thought of him before; he's a perfect fit. I'm liking the idea of Helena Bonham Carter as Mme. Thénardier as long as Hooper lets her have more fun in the role than Tim Burton allowed in the Sweeney Todd film. I'm hoping Hooper doesn't subscribe to Burton's (paraphrased) "they don't need to act while they're singing because the music carries all the required emotion" theory of musical films.
I haven't looked up clips of Aaron Tveit singing, but I'm glad they've got another musical theatre actor for Enjolras. I'm a bit wary of Taylor Swift as Eponine -- I had been hoping for either Lea Michele (who had played the role onstage) or Evan Rachel Wood (who, if anything, may have too powerful a voice for the role) -- but I'm going to trust Hooper on this one.
Since I saw the article about them having open casting calls for Cosette, I figured they'd get some talented unknown for the role, so I was quite surprised that they went for a popular star like Amanda Seyfried. Knowing she had classical voice training makes me feel much more confident about her casting; I've not seen any of her films, but I may at least check out Mamma Mia! before LM comes out. Also, maybe it's just me, but I think Seyfried and Hathaway look a bit like they could be related... so I can certainly see them working in those roles appearance-wise.
I was also a bit confused about what they meant by actors singing their parts live. What some of you are suggesting (pre-recording and then having the actors sing on set rather than simply lip-synch) seems to make the most sense, but they might also do some of the songs live -- as pointed out, they've done that in other musical films. I noticed that in some parts of the Sweeney Todd and Producers films, the films featured different takes from the soundtracks as well. In any case, we shall see how this all turns out. I'm cautiously optimistic.![Very Happy](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_biggrin.png)
I was sure Hugh Jackman's chance to be in a live-action musical film would happen at some point, but I admit I was a bit surprised that it ended up being as Valjean in LM. I always thought he seemed like a baritone or baritenor from the clips I've seen of him singing (though some have described him as a tenor, so maybe they know something I don't). But then again, this is a film and not a stage production, so he doesn't necessarily need to project those high notes out to an audience. I'm hoping they won't have to put his songs in a lower key... but then again, some stage productions (particularly in Japan and Quebec) did, so perhaps it could work.
When Anne Hathaway was mentioned as a possibility for the film, I figured she'd be playing Cosette... so I was a bit surprised to find out she had been cast as Fantine. But then again, she's been pigeonholed in "princess" roles for so long that I'm glad she's getting to break out of that both with this film and The Dark Knight Rises, as well as her Oscar-nominated performance in 2008's Rachel Getting Married.
Based on what I've heard of Russell Crowe singing, I think he may be good as Javert. He can certainly look and act the part, so I hope he'll be up to it vocally as well. I must admit, though, that after seeing a clip of Robert Downey, Jr. singing in a film and wondering if he could still pull that off, a part of me will continue to wonder what he might've been like in the role.
My thoughts on Eddie Redmayne as Marius went a little something like this...
Before hearing clips of him singing: "Thank the lord that they didn't go for Nick Jonas or Justin Bieber! Now, who's this guy?"
After hearing clips of him singing: "
![Shocked](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_eek.gif)
It's premature to be thinking along those lines, of course, but I think Redmayne's performance is the one I'm most looking forward to... and that's saying something because there are incredibly few Mariuses I liked much at all (at least in English-language productions).
After the rumors about Geoffrey Rush, I was caught totally by surprise when they announced that Sacha Baron Cohen was going to play Thénardier. Then I wondered why I hadn't thought of him before; he's a perfect fit. I'm liking the idea of Helena Bonham Carter as Mme. Thénardier as long as Hooper lets her have more fun in the role than Tim Burton allowed in the Sweeney Todd film. I'm hoping Hooper doesn't subscribe to Burton's (paraphrased) "they don't need to act while they're singing because the music carries all the required emotion" theory of musical films.
I haven't looked up clips of Aaron Tveit singing, but I'm glad they've got another musical theatre actor for Enjolras. I'm a bit wary of Taylor Swift as Eponine -- I had been hoping for either Lea Michele (who had played the role onstage) or Evan Rachel Wood (who, if anything, may have too powerful a voice for the role) -- but I'm going to trust Hooper on this one.
Since I saw the article about them having open casting calls for Cosette, I figured they'd get some talented unknown for the role, so I was quite surprised that they went for a popular star like Amanda Seyfried. Knowing she had classical voice training makes me feel much more confident about her casting; I've not seen any of her films, but I may at least check out Mamma Mia! before LM comes out. Also, maybe it's just me, but I think Seyfried and Hathaway look a bit like they could be related... so I can certainly see them working in those roles appearance-wise.
I was also a bit confused about what they meant by actors singing their parts live. What some of you are suggesting (pre-recording and then having the actors sing on set rather than simply lip-synch) seems to make the most sense, but they might also do some of the songs live -- as pointed out, they've done that in other musical films. I noticed that in some parts of the Sweeney Todd and Producers films, the films featured different takes from the soundtracks as well. In any case, we shall see how this all turns out. I'm cautiously optimistic.
![Very Happy](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_biggrin.png)
Re: Les Misérables
There seems to be a bit of an outrage on Twitter today. First Night Records, who put out the OLC of Les Miz has decided not to pay royalties to the original cast any more:
Twitter search:
https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23LesMisRoyalties
I can't seem to find any other articles on this (well, not yet at any rate) But Rebecca Caine and Peter Polycarpou are tweeting about it..
Twitter search:
https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23LesMisRoyalties
I can't seem to find any other articles on this (well, not yet at any rate) But Rebecca Caine and Peter Polycarpou are tweeting about it..
PhantomsGhost- Posts : 246
Join date : 2011-06-09
Age : 123
Location : Austin, TX
Re: Les Misérables
Oh dear, with Rebecca Caine on the case it'll probably be a "snark war" without end, and a most entertaining one as well.PhantomsGhost wrote:There seems to be a bit of an outrage on Twitter today. First Night Records, who put out the OLC of Les Miz has decided not to pay royalties to the original cast any more:
Twitter search:
https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23LesMisRoyalties
I can't seem to find any other articles on this (well, not yet at any rate) But Rebecca Caine and Peter Polycarpou are tweeting about it..
![Laughing](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_lol.gif)
Joke aside, there must be some clausul allowing First Night Records to do this. I don't approve of it in any way, but I don't think they would dare do it without having the legal issue sorted out. The moral issue is another matter. I'm curious on how the case will end.
Re: Les Misérables
operafantomet wrote:Oh dear, with Rebecca Caine on the case it'll probably be a "snark war" without end, and a most entertaining one as well.PhantomsGhost wrote:There seems to be a bit of an outrage on Twitter today. First Night Records, who put out the OLC of Les Miz has decided not to pay royalties to the original cast any more:
Twitter search:
https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23LesMisRoyalties
I can't seem to find any other articles on this (well, not yet at any rate) But Rebecca Caine and Peter Polycarpou are tweeting about it..![]()
Joke aside, there must be some clausul allowing First Night Records to do this. I don't approve of it in any way, but I don't think they would dare do it without having the legal issue sorted out. The moral issue is another matter. I'm curious on how the case will end.
A petition has been created, too, on behalf of the fans who respect the actors.
I really hope they win this one. I'm glad I purchased the CD 10 some years ago when their royalties still existed. It makes me feel better about this matter. But still, First Night is behind in the money they owed them for last year. If anything, they should be given the money for that if they don't win. They are entitled to it.
I don't think Cammie will give a fig about all of this.
ML6- Posts : 873
Join date : 2009-10-28
Age : 36
Location : USA
Re: Les Misérables
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16516727
Audio within this article in which Hooper mentions the film will contain a new song by Schonberg, most likely for Oscar bait. Seems like they'd more likely have to cut material than add, but I hope the song is good.
Audio within this article in which Hooper mentions the film will contain a new song by Schonberg, most likely for Oscar bait. Seems like they'd more likely have to cut material than add, but I hope the song is good.
Re: Les Misérables
Original performers told that the curtain's coming down on their payments for recording sales
They made their names in the world-famous musical about revolution. Now actors from the first stage production of Les Misérables are gearing up for a revolt against the company behind the original cast recording, after discovering they will no longer get royalty payments.
Members of the original cast, including Michael Ball, who played Marius in the 1985 production, have just learnt that they will no longer receive royalties from the soundtrack recording, which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies in the UK alone. Cast members say they were unaware a contract clause stipulated royalties would only be paid for 25 years.
Equity, the performers' union, says it will take up its members' cause and is seeking legal advice. The contract was based on a template agreement reached between industry body the BPI on behalf of record companies and Equity.
First Night Records, which made the recording, insists that it has done nothing wrong and has simply abided by the terms of the recording contract agreed by Equity. Similar cast recording contracts that pay royalties to performers in successful shows such as The Phantom of the Opera will also end soon, and are expected to spark copy-cat spats.
Peter Polycarpou, who played Jean Prouvaire in the 1985 production, said that news of the loss of royalties had come as a "bit of a shock". "It's just simply not morally right to keep the royalties back after only a 25-year period," he said.
Frances Ruffelle, who played Eponine, said: "[The royalty payment] really is pennies, but to some of the cast who are ill or retired, it's a winter fuel payment or house repair," she said.
An online petition, Pay the OLC [original London cast] of Les Mis!, is calling for the original performers to be continued to be paid.
Martin Brown, Equity's assistant general secretary, said: "We made an agreement with record producers back in the 1960s that secured payments for artists for 25 years," he said. "At that time, the legal copyright was 20 years, so we secured a five-year extension to the legal copyright. First Night Records are trying to use that nearly 50-year-old contract to terminate payments at 25 years, even though the legal copyright is now much longer."
John Craig, the managing director of First Night Records, said Equity signed the same clause again in 1985 and 1994. "The beef that the players have should be with Equity and not with us," he said. "Their union signed a silly contract, and there are quite onerous clauses in that contract from our point of view, and this gives us an opportunity to renegotiate a contract with more sensible clauses."
He said that, unlike Les Misérables, most cast recordings were unsuccessful and cost a considerable amount to do but – in contrast to pop albums, where recording costs were recouped before royalties were paid – record companies had to pay royalties from the very first record sold under the Equity contract.
"I feel quite bitter that Equity sign a contract and then moan like crazy when we stand behind the terms of it," he said. He said he welcome a chance to re-negotiate the contract.
The Cameron Mackintosh production of Les Misérables has been a hit around the globe and since its London debut in 1985 has become the world's longest-running musical. Its popularity has been boosted in recent years by Susan Boyle's rendition of the song "I Dreamed a Dream" on Britain's Got Talent and will no doubt be further bolstered by the release of the Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper's film version later this year.
Nicholas Allott, the managing director of Cameron Mackintosh, said contracts for cast albums were done directly between the BPI, or its individual members, and Equity.
Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/cast-of-les-mis-in-revolt-over-royalties-6289937.html
They made their names in the world-famous musical about revolution. Now actors from the first stage production of Les Misérables are gearing up for a revolt against the company behind the original cast recording, after discovering they will no longer get royalty payments.
Members of the original cast, including Michael Ball, who played Marius in the 1985 production, have just learnt that they will no longer receive royalties from the soundtrack recording, which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies in the UK alone. Cast members say they were unaware a contract clause stipulated royalties would only be paid for 25 years.
Equity, the performers' union, says it will take up its members' cause and is seeking legal advice. The contract was based on a template agreement reached between industry body the BPI on behalf of record companies and Equity.
First Night Records, which made the recording, insists that it has done nothing wrong and has simply abided by the terms of the recording contract agreed by Equity. Similar cast recording contracts that pay royalties to performers in successful shows such as The Phantom of the Opera will also end soon, and are expected to spark copy-cat spats.
Peter Polycarpou, who played Jean Prouvaire in the 1985 production, said that news of the loss of royalties had come as a "bit of a shock". "It's just simply not morally right to keep the royalties back after only a 25-year period," he said.
Frances Ruffelle, who played Eponine, said: "[The royalty payment] really is pennies, but to some of the cast who are ill or retired, it's a winter fuel payment or house repair," she said.
An online petition, Pay the OLC [original London cast] of Les Mis!, is calling for the original performers to be continued to be paid.
Martin Brown, Equity's assistant general secretary, said: "We made an agreement with record producers back in the 1960s that secured payments for artists for 25 years," he said. "At that time, the legal copyright was 20 years, so we secured a five-year extension to the legal copyright. First Night Records are trying to use that nearly 50-year-old contract to terminate payments at 25 years, even though the legal copyright is now much longer."
John Craig, the managing director of First Night Records, said Equity signed the same clause again in 1985 and 1994. "The beef that the players have should be with Equity and not with us," he said. "Their union signed a silly contract, and there are quite onerous clauses in that contract from our point of view, and this gives us an opportunity to renegotiate a contract with more sensible clauses."
He said that, unlike Les Misérables, most cast recordings were unsuccessful and cost a considerable amount to do but – in contrast to pop albums, where recording costs were recouped before royalties were paid – record companies had to pay royalties from the very first record sold under the Equity contract.
"I feel quite bitter that Equity sign a contract and then moan like crazy when we stand behind the terms of it," he said. He said he welcome a chance to re-negotiate the contract.
The Cameron Mackintosh production of Les Misérables has been a hit around the globe and since its London debut in 1985 has become the world's longest-running musical. Its popularity has been boosted in recent years by Susan Boyle's rendition of the song "I Dreamed a Dream" on Britain's Got Talent and will no doubt be further bolstered by the release of the Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper's film version later this year.
Nicholas Allott, the managing director of Cameron Mackintosh, said contracts for cast albums were done directly between the BPI, or its individual members, and Equity.
Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/cast-of-les-mis-in-revolt-over-royalties-6289937.html
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