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 - 22 January 2010

I first saw the 25-year-old musical juggernaught that is Les Miserables over a decade ago and recall it as an epic musical with lovely performances, a poignant score, and amazing set designs. Yet it was a show saddled with a muddled narrative with too many loose strands and rushed plot developments.

In this touring anniversary production, the first half act still features numerous introductions to the huge cast of characters, but this time round - the show has been given a cinematic make-over and you do feel like you are watching something brand new, which is a bonus for die-hard fans as well as newcomers to the text. As for the iconic score, it was never broke in the first place and remains as spine-tingling and hearftfelt as it ever was.

Dubbed 'The Glums' back in the day, this show features characters scurrying around the streets like sewer rats, following the French Revolution and is poles apart from the last Palace visit...

Read more of the review

Latest User Review

Chris Mason - 11 March 2010:

Hate to see that Gareth Gates playing Marius is the main topic of conversation - for the record I am not a fan but he is as good as any other I have seen in the role. This was my third time (Norwich 10/03/10) , the previous two, the first in 1987, being the West End production. This is a totally different and fresh production with superb sets, great use of modern technology giving a far more atmospheric if less 'theatrical' result. The orchestration is much softer and the lyrics, and thus the story, much clearer and easier to follow. Something is lost on the smaller stage but a lot is gained, the barricade is much less impressive but the fact it doesn't dominate from the start allows other nuances of the story to be better delivered and received. In my personal opinion Colm Wilkinson will never ever be bettered as Jean Valjean and I thought that John Owen-Jones started slowly (weakly?) but improved as the show went on, particularly when the higher, more emotional singing was required. All views of individual performances are of course very subjective but I have not seen a better more empathetic Javert than Earl Carpenter and Madalena Alberto as Fantine was so compelling it is a terrible shame her part is restricted, other than a brief cameo role, to act one. All in all a fabulous, very different production which was worth many times the ticket price....

Read more and add your own review