An evening of high emotion - Val Flynn reviews Les Miserables (From Messenger Newspapers)

An evening of high emotion - Val Flynn reviews Les Miserables

10:16am Monday 25th January 2010

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CAMERON Mackintosh's 25th celebratory production of the record breaking musical Les Misearables, is of epic proportions. Since its conception it has played to full houses worldwide, and the Palace Theatre is no exception. The buzz of expectation from the packed audience was palpable from the start and we were not disappointed.

The adaptation of Victor Hugo's tale of Jean Valjean and his journey from the chain gang to the barricades of the Paris riots in 1823 is a non stop challenge to the emotions. Released on parole, Jean finds life is impossible until he is treated well by a kindly Bishop, he vows to change his life, breaks his parole and flees, only to be pursued unremittingly by Javer his jailer. The pace of the action is relentless and there is hardly time to catch your breath before the next onslaught begins.

Time passes and Jean Valjean becomes wealthy and successful, he adopts a young girl orphaned by the death of her mother and makes a new life for himself, but always in the background is the spectre of capture by Javert.

The entire cast in this wonderful production are first class. Powerful, emotional performance from John Owen Jones as Jean Valjean, Earl Carpenter broodingly dark as Javert and Gareth Gates engaging as the love sick student, besotted with Jean's adopted daughter Cosette. A welcome shaft of light amongst the gloom of this mostly sad tale, was provided by the delectably detestable scoundrels the Thenardiers, played with great enthusiasm by Ashley Artus and Lynne Wilmot.

For me though, what made this production an outstanding event was not only the breathtaking set design and sensational special effects, but also, the beautiful score of 'Les Mis' which includes 'I dreamed a Dream' and 'On my Own' amongst others.

If you like me, are a lover of happy endings, perhaps you may think this is not for you, you would be wrong, it is thought provoking and uplifting, 'Allons mes enfants', give it a go. Val Flynn * Until February 13.

Star rating

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