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Les Misérables on Tour
Theater producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh created his — dare we say it? — revolutionary new production of Les Misérables to commemorate the 25th anniversary of composer Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyricist Alain Boublil's musical, a rousing sung-through story of the Paris underclass' failed 1832 rebellion. After being seen around the world, Mackintosh's brisk new version opened in 2019 in the lavishly refurbished Sondheim Theatre (formerly Queen's Theatre) in London, thereby extending Les Mis' record as the West End's longest-running musical.
Mackintosh notably replaced the original production's famous revolving stage with a stream of projections derived from original drawings by Victor Hugo, upon whose 1862 novel Les Misérables is based. The current production stars Jon Robyns as Valjean, the tortured petty criminal whose pursuit by the steely and serpentine Javert (Bradley Jaden) drives the show. As the tragic Fantine, Carrie Hope Fletcher sings the show-stopping ballad "I Dreamed a Dream," and Shan Ako plays the equally ill-fated Eponine, who delivers the heartbreaking "On My Own." Surging ensemble numbers have been leaving audiences tingling.
About Les Misérables
The idea for a musical based on Victor Hugo's novel came to Alain Boublil during a performance of Oliver!, another show famously set among the proletariat. The concept album he recorded with composer Schönberg led to its first French stage version in 1980. Cameron Mackintosh's first English-language production opened in London in 1985, and Les Mis migrated to Broadway two years later. It has since been seen by more than 120 million people in 52 countries and 22 languages.
Set in the gritty streets of Paris during an explosive period of French history, Les Misérables conveys the poverty, danger and degradation of lower-class existence through magnificent songs such as "I Dreamed a Dream," "Bring Him Home," "One Day More" and "Master of the House." And the new production, according to The Guardian's Miriam Gillinson, could not be more contemporary, arriving as it does "at a time when all of us — in our own way — are hoping for a brighter tomorrow."
I would have tried to better balance the overall story between the two parts but overall great production.. wonderfull acts and songs.. Would have been perfect without the Air.. was cold in the room !!
If you are a longtime Les Mis fan, it is difficult to not enjoy it thuroughly. That being said there were some disappointing aspects to this 25th Anniversary production. The entire first act seemed rushed, almost as if they were told, this needs to be done in 3 hours. Some of the leads were very weak. Fantine sounded and looked like she was 12 years old. Eponine seemed lost and her voice was all over the place. The climax to the end of the first act was definitely not as spectacular as the original production. The scene where Javare jumps from the bridge, does not work. The mechaical lift did not give the same effect without the strobing. One thing that really angered me was a TV monitor off stage right that was totally visible. When I turned my attention toward Valjean as he was dying, all I could see was the glare of a TV monitor. Overall, it was OK, but not worth revisiting.
Amazing!!!! Can't believe it took me so long to see it. A must see!!!!
Seldom do I go to a play or musical and get "goose bumps! This one I did. The voices of Jean Valjean, Javert, and Marius were felt in the back rows. The parting of Javert was really creative. I really enjoyed the digital effects , especially the tunnel. Some little distractions were the noise of moving the barricades while a song was being sung and the moving arms of the conductor shadowed on the upper walls of the hall. Sitting in the back made it hard to clearly see the characters especially since the spotlight was often only on their face. When Eponine sang "On My Own" it seemed like she shouted parts of it out rather than crying it out. Whatever she did, the song did not "grab me" like it should have. I was really glad I was able to bring my family to this event.
What an amazing performance. At times the mics were too quiet and it was hard to hear when the singing was in the lower registers or was just really soft and perhaps it was because it was the first night's performance but other than that, it was awe-inspiring. Beautiful voices and the acting was really very good and polished. The sets were incredible...really blow you away at times. I loved how they portrayed the death of Javert and Valjean carrying Marius through the sewers. Really enjoyed the performance a lot. Jean Valjeans prayer "bring him home" was amazing. I loved the beginning in the boat, the rowing prisoners.
We have never seen Les Miserables before but have been to the theatre many times. From New York to Chicago to Las Vegas to England we have enjoyed many plays. We were disappointed for a few reasons. #1- at times it was very difficult to hear what the actors were singing, we are not old or hard of hearing but strained at times to understand dialogue. #2- Lighting was very dark and being in the back it was hard to tell who the characters were at times. #3 Though some of the actors were very good, the majority of the singing was just so,so. #4 For almost $100 a ticket it was hard to walk away not really happy about the show.
Wow! Did we enjoy ourselves. The pace of this version of Les Miserables is incredible. I think you will wonder how the performers & stage crew stay up with the set changes. Amazing. And as before, the story is powerfully told through song & music. Don't miss it.
