Les Miserables

Synopsis

Based on elements of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables this musical is one of the most successful around the world. Les Miserables opened at the Palace Theatre on 4 December 1985, following a sell-out season at the Barbican. Jean Valjean, released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang, finds that the 'ticket-of-leave' he must display by law, condemns him to be an outcast. Only the saintly Bishop of Digne treats him kindly and Valjean, embittered by years of hardship, repays him by stealing some silver. Valjean is caught and brought back by the police, and is astonished when the Bishop lies to save him, also giving him two precious candlesticks. Valjean decides to start his life anew. Things go well but 8 years later, an encounter with a face from the past threatens everything he now holds dear..

Our Review:

Glenn Meads - 13 August 2010

The problem with a long running show, such as Les Mis is that many will be quick to write it off as an old theatrical warhorse that has been playing in the West End for so long that it is probably dated and tired. This 25th Anniversary Production is so cinematic and epic that it will prove any doubters wrong. It is also incredibly poignant and none of these moments feel stilted or overdone, thanks to some tremendous performances.

In this classic tale of binary opposites, our hero Jean Valjean (John Owen-Jones) is a wronged man, but nothing is cut and dried here, as he is a flawed man with a secret with threatens to haunt him. Pitted against an old adversary, Javert (Earl Carpenter) - these two men continue to cross paths against the after effects of the French Revolution. Characters scurry across the vast set like sewer rats and the joy of this marvellous production is that your loyalties often swing from rich to poor with each sti...

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Latest User Review

LesMiserablesisthebest - 31 August 2011:

Les Miserables is an amazing production! The cast is amazing when we went we saw Matt Lucas he suited the role perfectely and added extra humour to his role and uplifted the sad moments. We did not manage to see Alfie Boe in the production but Jonathan Williams (who we saw) was absouloutly amazing and would properly of been just as good as Alfie Boe. All the cast put just as much effort in as everyone. Cameron Mackintosh should be proud of what he has put together. Once again an outstanding production and i know that i will personally see it again!!!...

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