The Secret Garden (musical, London cast)

[cahn]

The Secret Garden (musical) - Original London Cast: 4/5. Very different from the Broadway version; much more true to the book. And here is where I get all out-of-character for me, because I usually a) hate adaptations that don't stay true to the book, and b) I usually get imprinted by the first thing I see/hear and hate the second one... so I would have expected to either hate the Broadway version or the London one, or possibly both. But nope. I suppose the two factors cancel one another out? I adore the Broadway version (I feel it does something new and exciting with the story while still staying true to the book -- and I am a sucker for works that transform what they build on), but I really like this one too.

Philip Quast is freaking amazing in this one and basically sells the whole thing to me. I love Mandy Patinkin like mad, don't get me wrong, but... PHILIP QUAST. I didn't even like Quast in the Les Mis symphonic recording (having been imprinted by Terrence Mann, of course, which in retrospect I'm pretty sure made me not agree with some of Quast's acting/musical choices even though they're perfectly valid ones), but Quast is really, really good as Archie Craven, just spot on and richly emotional and... wow.

I have a personal preference for Rebecca Luker (Lily) in the Broadway recording to Meredith Braun in the London recording; Braun has a much younger, less ethereal sound -- which is in keeping with the London interpretation, and blends better with Colin, but I just like Luker better. The Broadway Dickon is much better than the London Dickon (who has some weird voice tics); the London Colin is much better than the Broadway Colin (it was a treat not to have to cringe through a super-breathy "Round-Shouldered Man" like I always have to do whenever I listen to the Broadway recording); I like the Broadway Martha better than the London one (who is a bit melodramatic). Natalie Morgan as the London Mary, although she's not bad, unfortunately cannot hold a candle to Daisy Eagan on Broadway, which is too bad because Mary is such an integral part of the recording.

Comments

Re: Being late to the Party as Always

[cahn]

Oh yes, this was the recording that convinced me I Like Philip Quast Very Much. He is not "my" Javert, but only, I think, because I imprinted really hard on Terrence Mann as an adolescent.

Les Mis was the first musical that I just completely fell in love with. I got to see it on Broadway as an adolescent when my uncle lived near NYC and we went up to visit him, and there was just no going back from that :)

Re: Being late to the Party as Always

[esteven]

*nods* Yes, one tends to imprint on the first impression. So essentially, I have "two" Javerts, the one I first saw, and then Mr Quast. How I would have loved to see them both perform in (I think) 2009 in Cage aux Folles, where Mr Quast played with Mr Allam.

I really loved Roger Allam in December 1985, and still do, though more as an actor. I recall that his Stars was different.

Thank you also for your message. I will reply via email which starts with esteven@