REVIEW | LES MISERABLES UK TOUR
© Danny Kaan
★★★★★
When it comes to musicals, Les Misérables is always a stand-out. The longest-running musical in the UK, a film adaptation in 2012, and now it's selling out theatres on a UK tour. This three-hour rollercoaster of emotions does something only live theatre can do and boy was this stunning production worth every minute.
If you are a fan of the show then you know why because this production is timeless. The epic journey of theft and redemption, oppression, and revolution is currently performing at Birmingham Hippodrome until 27 August.
Les Misérables is an epic story of many based on Victor Hugo's novel of the same name, with an epic score from Boublil and Schönberg. This production follows a group of different characters as they face their personal predicaments. Set between 1815-1832 Paris, the backdrop is a depressing state. Women are forced to sell themselves to be able to feed their children. It's where desperate actions to live are met with the brutal force of the law. The main thread of this show is Jean Valjean. A man who is trying to put his present right as a convict in the past. Other characters include
Éponine who is pulled apart by her unrequited love for Marius. Marius himself is torn between his love for Cosette and his duty to the revolution. And then there is Jarvert. Jarvet has a duty to abide by the law he doesn't realise he is living by mistaken assumptions.
"..people marvelled at how they were able to make an ageless musical, more appealing to younger audiences."
The creative team behind this new UK & Ireland production has been amped up by the use of lighting and projection. The scale at which this touring production is executed is remarkable.
Finn Ross's projection style really adds depth to this well-known story and people marvelled at how they were able to make an ageless musical, more appealing to younger audiences. It doesn't need the nostalgic feel of the original production style, this production is bolder and more striking than ever before.
© Danny Kaan
© Danny Kaan
You won't see a touring cast like this one right now because they are s t u n n i n g. They have a large ensemble who are exceptionally brilliant at filling the space for showstoppers like 'Do You Hear The People Sing' and 'One Day More'. The impact of these numbers themselves is immediate.
The leading cast is sublime. Nic Greenshields is jaw-dropping as the inflexible Javert. Ian Hughes and Helen Walsh steal the show as the scheming Thénardiers. Their interpretation and style of these iconic characters are brilliant, I would watch it again just for these! Rachelle Ann Go delivers an emotionally gorgeous performance as the doomed Fantine. Her rendition of one of the show's famous numbers, 'I Dreamed a Dream' left the audience speechless.
Caleb Lagayan showed the excellence of cover actors in his performance as Marius on the night. Nathania Ong brought spirit and heart into Éponine character and her rendition of 'On My Own' was individual and powerful. The young actors were brilliant too!
The UK & Ireland Tour of Les Miserables proves that this is still one of (if not the best) musicals of all time! An impressive production!