BWW Reviews: LES MISERABLES at Her Majesty's Theatre

Last nights opening of the reimagined Les Miserables was a defining moment in Australian music theatre. While maintaining its history and staying true to its origins, Cameron Mackintosh's new production is the dawning of a new era. Its metamorphoses from its original production to this new adaption is subtle, yet every change advances the show into the realm of the contemporary theatre. While the grandeur of the original masterpiece is at times missed, the simplicity and sharpness of the design enhances the story and brings Victor Hugo's original text to life.

The technical aspects of this production are its absolute highlight. Paule Constable's lighting design is thrillingly poignant, Matt Kinley's set and image design advance the show with affect and style and Mick Potter's sound design has a cinema scope, especially realized in the barricade scenes, that rival any modern sound used in film. The orchestra, under the direction of Geoffrey Castles, is simply stunning, with new musical arrangements bringing fresh and exciting sounds to Boubil and Schonberg's masterful score. Costumes under the guidance of Suzy Strout and Wigs under the supervision of Kylie Clarke furnish the characters and are both delicate and stylistically perfect for both the time period and changes in time throughout the piece.

The interpretation of character and the performances of them are varied throughout the opening night performance. Simon Gleeson as Jean Valjean has an enormous task and he pulls it off admirably. Gleeson's Bring Him Home is sung tenderly and with heart. Haydn Tee as Javert commands the stage and plays the roll with strength and conviction. Lara Mulcahy is riotous as Madame Thenardier and Patrice Tipoki as Fantine uses grace and subtlety to guide her through I Dreamed a Dream before employing some wonderful artistry during the Lovely Ladies sequence. Aside from this moment by Tipoki, the acting highlights are limited. Frequently moments are sung well without the intention ever fully being realised. Kerry Anne Greenland as Eponine delivers a stunning moment in A Little Fall Of Rain and Luke Joslin as Bamatabois embodies his character fully and completely in every moment he is featured.

To see the re-interpretation of this classic music theatre work is alone worth the price of admission. It is refreshing to see this production of Les Miserables; a beautiful story, with an exquisite score that on this occasion is told well, but not to perfection. At the conclusion of the opening night performance I was asked what I thought the genuine highlights of the show had been. I came up with four that stood out amongst everything I had just witnessed. One Day More at the conclusion of Act 1 is thrilling. The visual effects and reinterpretation of the work is magnificent and the orchestra is sublime. Above it all though, perhaps the greatest highlight of the evening, was witnessing an elderly gentleman sitting next to his grandaughter, tears rolling down his face during Bring Him Home.

Les Miserables

Her Majesty's Theatre

Exhibition St Meblourne Until December 24

www.ticketek.com.au/lesmis

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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