2008. Hard to believe it has been that long!
Ever since we first saw Drew Sarich as Jean Valjean on stage we were utterly captivated by him. It was the first time we had seen Les Miserables together and we saw it from the cheapseats in row BB (which we actually love.) This gave us our first close up taste of Drew`s ability to connect with an audience - believe us, the full facing puppy dog gaze of anguish whilst on his knees about a foot and a half from us singing the line "But how can I allow this man to touch my soul and teach me love?" will never leave our minds. The crux of the story, the beginning of Valjean`s redemption in close up, is a sight that will live with us forever. Coupled that with the single most incredible vocal either of us has ever heard live, and you have Rock Valjean. Drew Sarich at his unbelievable best.
As we said, our first introduction to Drew, but certainly not our last. He singlehandedly (well, alongside the equally-fabulous-in-a-different-way David Thaxton) reignited our dormant passion for this most passionate musical. We hadn`t seen it in a while, but we made up for lost time as we knew it was only a matter of time before we lost Drew to the continent or the US. He had come over from Broadway in a kind of swapsies deal where we gave them John Owen Jones for a bit. We love him too, having seen him since in the 25th anniversary tour, but Drew was our first Valjean love. He blew away the cobwebs of somewhat worthy performances with his Valjean who, despite his redemption, never quite loses the edge that 19 years of hard labour have given him. And don`t get us started on his Bring Him Home. Again, a song which, although possibly the emotional heart of the show, kind of left us a little cold. Never again.
Drew has been criticised for sounding too young, or too rocky for Valjean - that`s all a matter of personal preference - but what we love, what we utterly adore about him is the sheer emotional punch behind every note, with the added knowledge that this is not a strain for him. He never has to climb to the notes, he hits them with a clarity that is utterly breathtaking, and a power that made us gasp. Truly. Every single time. He may well have his critics, but the response to Bring Him Home was never short of rapturous. You could hear a pin drop during the song, and and audible rush of air as 1500 people all breathed out at the end. The applause often went on so long that the Barricade boys had to interrupt it to carry on their revolutionary antics. So. He is THAT GOOD.
Proof. If any were needed.
We have pleaded several times on this blog for him to find his way back to the West End, and indeed for ALW to see sense and make him an offer he can`t refuse. But to no avail. He likes dressing up as various genres of the undead and singing in German. In Vienna.
This may be because his wife and family are there. No point in speculating on his (no doubt in his mind valid...) reasons, we decided if Mohammed won`t come to the mountain.....
We realise this makes us mountains. At the moment. Because WE ARE GOING TO VIENNA!!!!
We have discussed this possibility on many drunken occasions, like when we witnessed double Drew at cast change. The date of his departure from the Miz. We said then that one day we would go to Vienna and see him perform. Hell, its not far and it`s flipping beautiful.
But we needed to wait for the right show.....
...and what would that be?(cue quizzical looks...) Look no further. Drew does an amazing 'Judas' in Jesus Christ Superstar, but sings an even more amazing 'Jesus'. Gethsemane. Unbelievable.
So when a rather excitable flurry of text messages, e-mails and phonecalls culminated in tickets booked today for the show, plane and hotel, it could only mean one thing.
Drew Sarich was doing JCS. Had it not been for Tamsins remarkable talent at finding things out, we would still be dreaming of the prospect rather than BEING THERE IN PERSON!!!!!!!
In Vienna. Watching Drew.
In Vienna. In a few months time.
In Vienna. VIENNA.
Drew Sarich has to be seen to be believed, hence our anguish at him being somewhere 'over there' and us being here nearest to the West End. Nothing would make us happier than him coming back over here to do more stuff; the rumour mill every now and then hints at how much he loves London and would love to return...and he does, by his own admission, love the Miz and would not rule out a return. Frankly, this would be quite possibly the best outcome EVER to our need to see Drew in action.
Other than him moving next door to us and knocking on the door for a cup of sugar, of course.
But JCS? In Vienna? With Drew Sarich singing the lead?
Oh.My.God. Quite literally....
Will we ever recover? Will we ever WANT to...???
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