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:

Joseph Pike - 22 April 2010

After twenty five years keeping the heart of Alain Boubil and Claude Michel Schönberg's epic musical beating strong in the West End, producer Cameron Mackintosh has mounted another national tour. Yet instead of rehashing the age-old staging, directors Laurence Connor and James Powell have created a fresh new production: scrapping the revolve and shoving in some video projections. Even Britain's Got Talent's Susan Boyle is in the audience, presumably checking if Madalena Alberto's 'I Dreamed A Dream' lives up to her 2009 cover.

With a complex plot and depressingly high mortality rate, this show will not take you on a frivolous flight of fancy. Adapted from Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same name, we follow the ex-convict Jean Valjean as he struggles to find redemption amongst the poverty and chaos of revolutionary France. The timeless score includes 'One Day More', 'Do You Hear The People Sing?' and 'On My Own'.

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Latest User Review

iain - 25 June 2011:

ent to Les Mis last night (23 June 2011) to see opening night at Queens theatre. Saw original production on third night. This new cast and orchestra are right up there with the original! Will write more shortly. However... Alfie Boe - extraordinary! Bring him home is the best ever... as good as Calum! Hadley Fraser - have not seen a Javert so strong, and opposite Boe, extraordinary! Stars was the best i have ever heard! Right up there with Philip Quast! but probably better... Katy Secombe -so funny and so glad that Matt Lucas could keep up with her! Craig Mather - without a doubt the best Marius i have seen... Liam Tamne - quite brilliant... Lisa-Anne Wood - delightful! Alexia Khadime - wow! Caroline Sheen - you just got better and better... hearing "I dreamed a dream" sung by you made you understand why Britain has talent... Words cannot express the atmosphere last night... this was up there with the great Les Mis performances and left the O2 standing... and the RHH 10th... Let me end on the orchestra... brilliant!...

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