Les Miserables is billed as the Worlds Most Popular Musical, and as it continues to fill theatres and now arenas around the globe, its boast is one that few can argue with. Originally staged in Paris, 1980, it wasn't until the Royal Shakespeare Company and producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh gave it a 1985 make-over at the Barbican and then transfered the production to the Palace Theatre in the West End, that its worldwide dominance really started. The reviews were initially terrible, the stuffy London theatre critics pouring scourn on this adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel. But the people spoke. Word of mouth on the show was huge, the box office boomed and suddenly Les Miz as its probably better known these days, conquered the West End, Broadway and virtually every other territory that has a theatre.
The story of ex-convict Jean Valjean - ruthlessly pursued by Inspector Javert for breaking his parole - and his care for his adopted daughter Cosette during the events of the tumultuous French Revolution has touched a nerve with theatre goers for four decades, and the score by Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil (with English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer) has gone on to be one of the most lauded of any music to come out of a theatrical production.
Having not seen Les Miz since the 1990s, it was well overdue a revisit and this World Tour seemed the right time to reaquaint ourselves with Victor Hugo's roll call of the great and the terrible. Some serious talent has been at the forefront of Les Miz over the years, and so for any cast it must be a weight to be able to keep up the show to a very high standard. This tour features a revolving cast, with Alfie Boe and Michael Ball headlining certain UK performances however our performance has the alternate casting of Killian Donnelly (Jean Valjean) and Bradley Jaden (Inspector Javert).
Donnelly finds all the right beats to Valjean, his compassion, his anger and his resolve. He brings to the piece as fine tenor voice, which thrills during such solo showcases such as 'Who AmI' and 'Bring Him Home'. He is matched by Jaden, who whilst a little young for Javert to our minds, manages to channel Javert's dogged determination and obsession with bringing Valjean to what he sees as justice. Jaden's 'Stars' was certainly one of the highlights of the evening. Both are worthy leading men.
But as you will know, Les Misérables is very much a ensemble piece. The rich array of Hugo's cast a smorgasbord of character studies and class commentary. Mary-Jane Caldwell brings a strong leaning to Fantine, and delivers a crystal clear 'I Dreamed A Dream', perhaps the best known song from the show. The romantic liaison of Marius and Cosette is delivered by Caleb Lagayan and Beatrice Penny-Touré, both powerful vocally and possessing an innocent and raw declaration of their love, as only a first time love can conjure. At the other end of the social scale those well loved villains Monsieur and Madame Thérnardier are in safe hands with Gavin Lee and the legendary Bonnie Langford. There is nothing subtle about the Thénardiers and so Langford fits right in, belting it out 110% as she has during her incredible career and the cheers for them both at the curtain call is evidence that they have pitched it perfectly (and even in her 60th year, Langford proves doing the splits is no obstacle!) A word too for the juniors: Daniel Adesina (Gavroche) and India Mills (little Cosette) bring their magic to small but vital rolls. The joy of hearing the score delivered by a cast of 65 and backed by a large orchestra lushly playing the heavenly melodies cannot be quantified. It gives us all goosebumps.
Seeing theatre pieces in large arenas is a double edged sword. The grandeur and the spectacle are certainly in evidence, but the intimacy is missing. Watching the characters faces on the large screens is no substitute for seeing performers up close. So whilst this World Tour will give you the thrills, it is worth noting the theatre musical (still playing at the Sondheim Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue) is still to be savoured and this arena costumed concert should be seen as an addition not a replacement for the real deal.
A word too about the merchandise. £20 for a programme is excessive, perhaps someone should tell the billionaire Sir Cameron Mackintosh that we are in fact in a cost of living crisis, we are the 'shirtless ones'.
But aside from such issues, Les Misérables is a starry spectacle that keeps on delivering after all these years. Long live the Revolution!
Rob & Ian
Further listening:
The sky's the limit with recordings of Les Miz. So many to choose from, but none finer we think than the 1995 10th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The cast is to die for. Colm Wilkinson, Philip Quast, Ruthie Henshall, Lea Salonga, Alun Armstrong, Judy Kuhn... the list goes on. You can hear the people sing!
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