Feature: Adrian Pang 'Carnage' Co-Star Talks Esplanade-Bound LES MISERABLES

A Leading Man Twice Blessed by the Gods of Musical Theater

When Tony-winning Disney Legend Lea Salonga and First Lady of Philippine Musical Theatre Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo flanked Singapore's very own superstar Adrian Pang in Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group's (ATEG) and Singapore Repertory Theater's (SRT) 2012 production of GOD OF CARNAGE, audiences who witnessed that rare gathering of Asian Theatre's finest had only rave reviews for the week-long run of Yasmina Reza's critically-acclaimed dark comedy.

"Adrian Pang is wonderful to work with, such an instinctive actor! It was so much fun to play off him, I just love him! I hope we get to work together again soon," says Yulo, who along with Salonga, is among the first 3 internationally acclaimed Filipina actresses - the third being Joanna Ampil - to have ever played Fantine in Alain Boublil and Claude Michel Schonberg's LES MISERABLES, with its re-imagined 2016 production slotted for a strictly limited season at The Esplanade beginning May 31 onwards.

"The audiences in Singapore are very intelligent. The moment you step on stage you know they are listening and enjoying the performance," says an introspective Yulo, reminiscing her DBS Arts Center season playing Annette, wife to International Emmy nominee for Best Actor (2012), Art Acuna's Rum-chugging, cigar-loving Alan Reille.

"They laugh, cry, and ride that emotional roller coaster with you. It was truly a joy to perform for them," she continues affectionately.

Imagining the New Re-Imagined 2016 Production of LES MISERABLES

Yulo - who wowed Singaporean audiences as Marion in Priscilla Queen of the Desert in 2014 - maintains her tight-lipped mystique when asked to share highlights from the re-imagined production of Esplanade-bound LES MISERABLES, currently running its 3rd sold-out week in Manila at The Theater at Solaire Resort and Casino, Philippines.

"Hmm, many nice, visual moments," she pauses in contemplation.

"But I don't want to pre-empt the show!" she continues in a dimpled grin.

"I particularly liked how they staged Javert's death," she says, before launching into a quick off-the-record chat about the re-imagined 2016 production of LES MISERABLES - viewed exclusively through the discerning lens of an award-winning theater veteran, both as an actor and director.

"When we did LES MISERABLES in the Philippines in the 90's it was a major hit. I don't think any show was as successful as LES MIS was during that time," shares Yulo, who ticked off her second Alain Boublil and Claude Michel Schonberg musical theatre role on her 'theatre-to-do list' when she played Ellen opposite Lea Salonga's Kim in the 2000 Manila staging of MISS SAIGON.

Dreaming a Dream Dreamt by a Select Circle of Filipina Fantines

"In the same way. When I did Fantine, I read the novel," says Yulo, who gave the tip to Salonga - when the latter was studying to become the first Filipina Fantine in the 1996 Cameron Mackintosh Broadway production of LES MISERABLES - to read the book. Salonga in turn, handed down the very same tip to BroadwayWorld.com UK Award-winning actress Rachel Ann Go who plays Fantine in the Manila leg of the musical's Asian tour at The Theater in Solaire.

"'I Dreamed A Dream' encapsulates about 3 chapters of the novel," says Yulo on one of LES MISERABLES most popular anthems - one bravely taken on by Anne Hathaway in the 2012 film adaptation of the musical theatre behemoth--- in a performance which was most likely the clincher in the actress' winning her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her silver screen turn as the tragic heroine.

"I had to make sure I knew exactly what every lyric in the song meant," continues Yulo, who is credited as the first Filipina actress to take on the role in a licensed LES MISERABLES production outside the US and the UK for Repertory Philippines' 1993 Les Mis production at the Meralco Theater in the Philippines.

"Everyone knows the music. I had the privilege of seeing both versions - the Trevor Nunn (British Shakespeare Master) staging in the West End and the new one directed by Lawrence Connor in New York and now again in the Philippines. Both have a very different take," says Yulo matter-of-factly.

"There are parts I like about the Trevor Nunn and there are parts I like about the new (Laurence Conner) staging. I love how Trevor Nunn made use of a revolving stage. While the latest one uses more contemporary techniques like projections. It's hard to compare both since the vision is very different," she explains.

A Two-Decade Long Overdue Return to SG - LES MIS Comes back with a Formidable Cast

"Next year will mark twenty years since LES MISERABLES was last in Singapore, and I am excited to now be bringing the new production to the Esplanade, which has proved just as successful all over the world as the original production that has just celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in London - the only place in the world where you can still see the original production," says producer Cameron Mackintosh.

"Having created my new production over five years ago to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of LES MISERABLES , it is now in its second year on Broadway, and broken box office records across America and in Canada for over three years, with separate companies in Japan, Korea, Spain and of course Australia, where it is sweeping all the top awards. I am delighted to bring this hugely successful new production to Singapore with this incredible cast," he continues.

In the Singapore-bound, re-imagined 2016 production of LES MISERABLES, Helpmann Award-winning musical theater actor Simon Gleeson will be playing Jean Valjean against lifelong foe, Earl Carpenter's Javert.

"With arguably the most breathtaking score in musical theatre history, LES MISERABLES transformed musical theatre when it first opened. The show remains iconic and relevant today because it deals with themes of love, courage, the human spirit and the difficult choices we make which define who we are and what we stand for," he continues.

Other principal cast members featured in this strictly limited run of LES MISERABLES at The Esplanade are Patrice Tipoki (Fantine), Cameron Blakely (Monsieur Thénardier), Paul Wilkins (Marius), and Helpmann Award winning actress Kerrie Anne Greenland as Éponine.

Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed new production of LES MISERABLES runs at the Esplanade Theatre, May 31 onwards.

LES MISERABLES is based on the eponymous literary classic by Victor Hugo and is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel.

Adapted for the stage by Trevor Nunn and John Caird, LES MISERABLES features additional content by James Fenton. The 25th Anniversary Production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell and designed by Matt Kinley.

LES MISERABLES is brought to Singapore by Michael Cassel Group.

Tickets are now available through all SISTIC channels.

For further information visit www.lesmis.sg or www.facebook.com/LesMisSG

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