THE STANDING ovation that greeted the cast at the end of Les Miserables was well deserved.

The chaos of post French Revolution era France came alive on the stage as Victor Hugo’s tragic yet inspirational tale of Jean Valjean was told in the packed Lowry’s Lyric Theatre.

Against a backdrop of dark paintings and dramatic lighting, Cameron Mackintosh’s revamped 25th anniversary version of one of the world’s longest running musicals appeared impressively majestic.

Claude-Michel Schonberg’s score and Herbert Kretzmer’s lyrics were poignant and I was not the only member of the packed-out audience who was choking back tears throughout.

Special effects and excellent timing brought the storming of the barricade to life and Javert’s suicide was especially realistic.

Pop Idol star Gareth Gates proved he was more than just a pop act with his convincing performance as Cosette’s love interest, the student Marius.

Katie Hall (Cosette) and Madalena Alberto (Fantine) had poignant and moving performances and Alberto’s rendition of I Dreamed A Dream - made famous by Susan Boyle - was especially moving.

But John Owen-Jones stole the show as Jean Valjean in his inspirational struggle for redemption and his lifelong evasion of Javert (Earl Carpenter).

Lynne Wilmot (Madame Thenardier) and Ashley Artus (Thenardier) brought a welcome splash of comedy to a moving production that is well worth seeing.

Les Miserables is showing at The Lowry until August 21