Les Miserables is a musical based on Victor Hugo’s epic novel that tells an intertwining set of stories revolving around Jean Valjean, a convict, who later becomes a factory owner and town mayor, and the people he interacts with during his life. These include policeman Inspector Javert, factory worker Fantine and her child Cosette. The later part of the story is set in the drama of a students uprising and revolt against the Government.
The musical has all the components of life that people of today and yesteryear go through - drama, despair, love, loss, duty, romance and hope.
I was fortunate to see the current production of Les Miserables at the Capital Theatre in Sydney. I missed out on seeing it when it first appeared in Sydney almost 30 years ago when it starred the likes of Debbie Byrne, Marina Prior, Normie Rowe and Anthony Warlow. I had to wait until I saw it for the first time when I was in London five years ago. I saw it for a second time when our daughter was in a community theatre production of it three years ago.
In this updated production of Les Miserables there is new orchestration, set design, sound design and direction. The stats about the show are impressive. There are more than 100 cast and crew, and each performance features 392 costumes and 31 wigs.
It is a lavish production with wonderful sets, lighting, costumes, singing, and orchestra. Gone is the revolving stage. New is the back drop of beautiful projections inspired by Victor Hugo’s own art work. These projections meld into the sets and props to make it appear they are all the one entity. The lighting design is very clever. This in one of those musicals where you won't be dazzled by the whole stage being so brightly lit that you need to wear sunglasses. The minimal use of bright lighting creates wonderful shadows and darkness that helps create the mood of Les Miserables.
The cast is a well-rounded mixture of known musical theatre performers and emerging new stars. Simon Gleeson plays Valjean and is the only one on stage who seems to age over the many years the story takes place. He is both strong and weak, kind-hearted and tough. Hayden Tee plays Javert, and his relentless perusal of Valjean comes to an end when he can not come to grips with how Valjean has spared his life. The female leads are Patrice Tipoki who plays Fantine, and Kerrie Anne Greenland who plays Eponine and Emily Langridge who plays Cosette. Their voices are all wonderful, giving haunting, delicate and powerful portrayals of their respective characters. For me the stand out singer was Emily Langridge, who can look forward to a long career on stage.
The sound production of the singers and orchestra is powerful and clear. The boisterous numbers are loud and resounding, and the quieter numbers more subtle and reflective. Many of the songs in Les Miserables are well known including I Dreamed a Dream, Bring Him Home, and On My Own. Each is sung masterfully by the performers who bring their own unique touch to their renditions. A special mention must be made of the ensemble, whose voices combine magnificently, but each member singing out with as much enthusiasm as if they were the only one singing.
Amongst the serious themes of love, hate, despair and hope come the lighter comic relief moments supplied by Lara Mulcahy and Trevor Ashley, who play the Thenardiers. They are hilarious and help break up the serious moments of Les Miserables with their frolics.
Les Miserables is 2 hours 55 minutes long, including interval. However you do not notice the length in this fast paced show as so much happens in it. Interval and the curtain call come along all too quickly.
My only disappointments with this production of Les Miserables were the barricade scene and some of the dying scenes. The barricade setting was good, but I was expecting more. I felt that the lighting effects of the barricade battle scene were more reminiscent of a rock concert than a fighting struggle. I felt the dying scenes were a bit rushed, so they did not allow time for the full depth of emotions to swell up in me.
Les Miserables is on at the Capital Theatre in Sydney until the 18 October. There are evening performances Tuesday to Sunday at 7.30pm, and matinee performances Wednesday 1pm, Saturday 2pm, and Sunday 3pm. Bookings can be made at the theatre, or through Ticketmaster, or http://www.lesmis.com.au/sydney/booking-information/
Where: The Capital Theatre, 13 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW
Website: http://www.lesmis.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LesMisOz
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