Samantha's New Christmas Week Instagram Photos! x



December 23: With my sister & my lily #Christmaslove


 





December 26: Lily Opening her Presents :) xxx

 

 

 

December 29: My favourite nephew Lewis :) xxx

 

 













December 30: Getting excited on the build up to Christmas Day number 2!!! Last nights festive cheese and wine night #DREAM :)

Op-Ed: Samantha Barks is heavenly as Éponine in Les Misérables

Sherene

By Sherene Chen-See

Dec 27, 2012 in Entertainment

   Les Misérables is a triumph on the big screen, with stellar performances by Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen, and many others. But the one who took my breath away was relative unknown Samantha Barks, who played the lovely Éponine.

For those unfamiliar with Les Misérables, Éponine is the young daughter of an innkeeper (played by Cohen) during the 1832 June rebellion in France. Although she is madly in love with her best friend, Marius (Eddie Redmayne), he only has eyes for Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), daughter of the film's protagonist, Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman). Terribly saddened and disappointed that her Marius loves another, Éponine has to decide whether to help him find his beloved Cosette.

George Saintsbury, literary scholar, once said that Éponine was the most interesting character in the novel, but that its author Victor Hugo, like Marius, did not take enough notice of her. I could not agree with him more.

Samantha Barks plays Éponine with such a grace, sweetness and sadness that it is hard to imagine anyone else in the role. For the time that she was on-screen, she really stole the movie, with her passion and a voice that could only come from Heaven. Although other more well known actors in the film will receive most of the recognition (most notably, Jackman), Barks is the actress who really made the movie for me.

With the spectacular performance Barks put into the film, you would think she had been in a wide variety of movies before, but actually, she has no big screen experience at all. Barks, now age 22, recorded her first album in 2007 and the following year she placed third in a talent competition hosted by Andrew Lloyd Webber. From 2010 to 2011, she played Éponine in the London stage production of Les Misérables, and from 2011 to 2012, she played Nancy in the UK tour of Oliver.

She left the play in order to put her heart and soul into the film version of Les Misérables.

I would watch the entire film over again just to see Barks sing. I hope to see more of this surprising young talent as the years progress.

This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of DigitalJournal.com
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/339927#ixzz2GanDjNp1
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/339927#ixzz2Gan5ITXN

Miz Right: New kid in town Samantha Barks scores breakout role in "Les Misérables"

The 22-year-old, who finished third on the British reality show “I’d Do Anything,” plays Éponine in the new film version of "Les Miz."

Comments (3)

By Marshall Fine / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Published: Saturday, December 29, 2012, 6:27 PM

Updated: Sunday, December 30, 2012, 2:00 AM

 

Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Samantha Barks attends the "Les Miserables" New York premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on December 10.

Third place made Samantha Barks a winner.

Barks, who plays the lovelorn Éponine in the new film version of “Les Misérables,” got her break on the British reality contest show “I’d Do Anything.”
She finished third in a competition to play Nancy in a West End revival of “Oliver!” — but was launched into a musical theater career that led to her featured role in the Golden Globe-nominated film and potential Oscar contender.
In a movie that touts Anne Hathaway and Amanda Seyfried (as Fantine and Cosette), Hugh Jackman (as Jean Valjean) and Russell Crowe (as Inspector Javert), it’s the unknown Barks who turns out to be the revelation of the French Revolution poperatic drama.

©Universal/courtesy Everett / E

Samantha Barks in "Les Miserables."

 

Even though she played Eponine for a year in London’s West End — and for a 25th anniversary concert at London’s O2 Arena — Barks had to go through four months of auditions before she landed the role in Oscar-winner Tom Hooper’s (“The King’s Speech”) film, reportedly beating out Taylor Swift and a handful of other Hollywood starlets.
“It was a grueling audition process,” Barks tells The News. “But then, I’d never done a film.”
She learned she had won the role in “Les Miz” during a curtain call with a different stage production of “Oliver!” in Manchester. Cameras caught the young actress’ look of shock, relief and amazement.
Having played Éponine in front of live audiences for a year, Barks had no problem with Hooper’s decision to have the actors sing live for the camera, rather than prerecording vocals and lip-synching for the camera.
“It’s not like I was going into an unknown role,” she says. “The main difference in doing it for the camera is that, while you still need the same emotional scale and climax, you don’t have to heighten it to hit 2,000 seats. You can rely on the beauty of the text. You can be more real, more subtle, more intimate.”
Barks, 22, started dancing at 3. At 10, she discovered singing and acting as well, always performing in something within the comfortable confines of the Isle of Man — population 84,000 — off the British coast. “I did plays and straight acting in school during the week and sang with rock groups at the weekend,” Barks told The News.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/samantha-barks-scores-breakout-role-les-miz-article-1.1229597#ixzz2GalIhVOg

Les Miserables Movie!

Today I've gone to the movie theatre to see the Les Miserables movie!
I was so amazed! I've waited a few years for this movie, and it was amazing!
What did you guys think of it?
Honestly, in my own thoughts, I did find a few things I'd change, but overall, the entire thing was accurate, perfect, and just lovely!
Samantha, on the other hand, was perfect. I did cry a little bit during "On My Own" and "A Little Fall of Rain" of course!
Everybody did a terriffic job, and thank you to the cast and crew, producers and directors for bringing this to life once again.
The new song they've put in the film was beautiful! It was truly great! I've really enjoyed it.
At my showing (3:20 PM, there were maube four or five showings today!) literary every seat was filled.
I suppose most people were there because they wanted to see it or they love Les Mis like I do, or maybe they were there to support Amanda, Anne, Hugh, or Russell. But, I was there for a few reasons, yes, I love theatre and Les Mis, music, and all, but I was there because of Sam!
She just put all of the emotions in it together and made the entire moment amazing!
Picture perfect, I must say. Picture perfect... <3
I hope you all get the chance to go see it in theatres soon!
If you went today, what did you think of it? Favorite part? : )
I was truly blown away, and I know I'm re-using a lot of words in this blog post, but I'm just.. still speechless!
It was ... egiwjgoijwojsjd, AMAZINGLY PERFECTLY PUT TOGETHER.
And, Merry Christmas everybody!
I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday and got everything you wanted and had a great time with family and friends, or whatever you may have done these few days, and today especially.
Since the New Years is coming up, I'll try to make sure I blog more often. I do have final exams for school in the next few weeks, so I'll be quite busy, and Yes, I will miss certain Samantha events and news that will not be covered in my blog, but I will try my best. Please, bear with me.

And, I did not forget Samantha's birthday in October. (2nd of October! She's 22!)
I may not have blogged any wishes or news on it this year, but I have tweeted her that day and wished her a very happy birthday a few times, so that was my way of it.
xxx

So, in all, the film today was just amazing! So lovely!
Merry Christmas, and thanks for all the support!
God Bless you all! <3
: )

xxxxx

I'm Back!

Hello Everyone!
I have returned!
I truly apologize for not posting any Samantha news in.. forever! Ages! Wah!
I have returned now, though from what I know.
School has been quite crazy. Big transtitions, so I needed to take a break for a bit and concentrate.
School has been wonderful though, yes it is stressful and a buch of work, but fun. I enjoy it.
How have all of you been? : )

I hope to continue this blogging, but apologies for late updates or missing one or so.

Since Christmas is right around the corner, I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday.
Spending time with friends and family and celebrating the birth of the Lord is the way to go.
But what else can you do?
See the Les Miserables movie! Who is gonna see the flim?
I plan to go watch it on Christmas, the day it premires.
I am truly excited and very proud of Samantha's achievement!


Eponine is such a special character, and my personal favorite in the production.  Eponine is just... Samantha overall.
You will leave the cinema with the words of "On My Own" "Do You Hear the People Sing?" "A Little Fall of Rain" and so many more.
You will also leave thinking: "Eponine." Or atleast, that's what happened to me the first time I've seen it in videos and such.


I'm so ready for the 25th! : )

I hope you're all well and thanks for the support x

One of my favorite photos of Sam! <3

Hello-Hello!
Im Sorry For Not Posting In A While! :(.


Recently, Sam Has Been Busy With Her Show, 'Oliver'. She's Nancy! She Also Got The News Revealed On Stage One Night By Cameron Mackintosh, She will play Eponine In The Les Mis Movie That Is Aiming To Be Out By December 7. Not Deffinate, Yet. I'm So Proud! She also was hanging out with Lucie Jones, (Cosette in Les Mis in the 25th anniv at Queens Theatre, X-Factor Contestant.) For her 21st Birthday At Thrope Park! so fun! Xxxxxxxx

Samantha Barks To Star In Oliver!

Another Proud Annoucement to Make :). Our Star Has Come SO Far From I'd Do Anything, Considering Oliver... Now, A Few Years Later.....

Samantha Barks Is To Be Nancy In The UK Tour Of Oliver!!!
Rehearsals Take Place And Begin On Monday (10/31/11). The Run is: 12/10/11--- 6/23/12.
Ofcourse, There's More Information To come, So Wait :).
For More Information, Visit: http://broadwayworld.com/article/Samantha-Barks-Iain-Fletcher-to-Lead-OLIVER-UK-Tour-20111026_page2#ixzz1c5db5CaJ

The Tour Dates Are:

10 DECEMBER 2011 - 21 JANUARY 2012
WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE CARDIFF
Neil Morrissey as Fagin
Box Office 02920 63 64 64 www.wmc.org.uk
ON SALE NOW

25 JANUARY - 10 MARCH 2012
MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE
Neil Morrissey as Fagin
Box Office 0844 847 2295 - www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk
ON SALE NOW

13 MARCH - 21 APRIL 2012
BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
Neil Morrissey as Fagin - 13 March - 1 April 2012
Brian Conley as Fagin - 3 - 21 April 2012
Box Office 0844 338 5000 www.birminghamhippodrome.com
ON SALE NOW

1 - 26 MAY 2012
SOUTHAMPTON MAYFLOWER
Brian Conley as Fagin
Box Office 02380 711 811- www.mayflower.org.uk
ON SALE NOW

30 MAY - 23 JUNE 2012
EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
Brian Conley as Fagin
Box Office 0844 847 1660 - www.edinburghplayhouse.org.uk
ON SALE NOW

Note: Samantha, Im Very Excited For You! :) This Is So Amazing, And Truly Exciting! I Love You SO Much :).