I saw the Claude-Michel Schonberg/Alain Boubil/Herbert Kretzmer musical at the beginning of its 25th anniversary year. In addition to a new international tour starring John Owen-Jones and Earl Carpenter, Cameron Mackintosh put together a huge cast at the 02 Arena in October to perform a concert version of the show, akin to that which was put together starring Colm Wilkinson and Philip Quast at the Royal Albert Hall.
Centering around the life of Jean Valjean (Alfie Boe), a one-time chain gang member who breaks his parole to change his life-and who is being pursued relentlessly by the unmovable Javert (Norm Lewis). In his life, he comes across the factory-worker Fantine (Lea Salonga), who turns to prostitution after being sacked by Valjean's foreman, and who Valjean promises on her deathbed that he will take care of her distant daughter. This takes him to the home of the Thenardiers (Matt Lucas & Jenny Galloway), pub landlords turned crooks, who are probably the real bad guys in this story. Here he takes Cosette (Mia Jenkins)away from being treated appalling, whilst the Thenardiers dote on their daughter Eponine. Years later, in Paris, the students-led by Enjolras, are preparing to lead a revolution against the oppressing regime in France. Here, we see the Thenardiers as mere pickpocketers, and their daughter Eponine (Samantha Barks) being hopelessly in love with Marius (Nick Jonas), a student. He, in turn, meets Cosette (Katie Hall) and they fall in love instantly. The revoluton begins, infiltrated by Javert, who is discovered by the street-urchin Gavroche (Robert Madge). Javert and Valjean meet again, but Valjean releases him, refusing to kill him. The revolution destroys all the revolutionaires-including Eponine, who dies in her beloved Marius' arms-with the exception of Marius, who Valjean carries to safety through the sewers. Javert desperatly tries to stop Valjean, but eventually caves, and decides he cannot keep living forever in the 'debt of a thief', and throws himself into the River Seine. Marius and Cosette are reunited and are married. Valjean reveals his true identity to Cosette as he dies, guided to heaven by Fantine, Eponine and the souls of those who died on the barricades.
The cast are mostly wonderful. Alfie Boe, a man known most for being an opera singer, is a stunning Valjean; he sings the role with ease and his rendition of 'Bring Him Home' physically stopped the show and gained him a standing ovation. Norm Lewis, known primarily for his Broadway work but currently starring in the West End production, delivers a wonderful 'Stars' and is the perfect stiff-upper lip foil to Boe's Valjean. Matt Lucas and Jenny Galloway (who also played the role in the 10th anniversary concert) are fine as the comedy villains of the piece, with a roaring 'Master of the House'. Lea Salonga, who played Eponine in the 10th anniversary concert & who originated the role of Kim in Miss Saigon, is stunning as Fantine, her 'I Dreamed A Dream' almost had me in tears. Samantha Barks, a finalist on the BBC's I'd Do Anything, is an equally good Eponine and Katie Hall makes for a feisty and wonderfully sung Cosette.
Centering around the life of Jean Valjean (Alfie Boe), a one-time chain gang member who breaks his parole to change his life-and who is being pursued relentlessly by the unmovable Javert (Norm Lewis). In his life, he comes across the factory-worker Fantine (Lea Salonga), who turns to prostitution after being sacked by Valjean's foreman, and who Valjean promises on her deathbed that he will take care of her distant daughter. This takes him to the home of the Thenardiers (Matt Lucas & Jenny Galloway), pub landlords turned crooks, who are probably the real bad guys in this story. Here he takes Cosette (Mia Jenkins)away from being treated appalling, whilst the Thenardiers dote on their daughter Eponine. Years later, in Paris, the students-led by Enjolras, are preparing to lead a revolution against the oppressing regime in France. Here, we see the Thenardiers as mere pickpocketers, and their daughter Eponine (Samantha Barks) being hopelessly in love with Marius (Nick Jonas), a student. He, in turn, meets Cosette (Katie Hall) and they fall in love instantly. The revoluton begins, infiltrated by Javert, who is discovered by the street-urchin Gavroche (Robert Madge). Javert and Valjean meet again, but Valjean releases him, refusing to kill him. The revolution destroys all the revolutionaires-including Eponine, who dies in her beloved Marius' arms-with the exception of Marius, who Valjean carries to safety through the sewers. Javert desperatly tries to stop Valjean, but eventually caves, and decides he cannot keep living forever in the 'debt of a thief', and throws himself into the River Seine. Marius and Cosette are reunited and are married. Valjean reveals his true identity to Cosette as he dies, guided to heaven by Fantine, Eponine and the souls of those who died on the barricades.
The cast are mostly wonderful. Alfie Boe, a man known most for being an opera singer, is a stunning Valjean; he sings the role with ease and his rendition of 'Bring Him Home' physically stopped the show and gained him a standing ovation. Norm Lewis, known primarily for his Broadway work but currently starring in the West End production, delivers a wonderful 'Stars' and is the perfect stiff-upper lip foil to Boe's Valjean. Matt Lucas and Jenny Galloway (who also played the role in the 10th anniversary concert) are fine as the comedy villains of the piece, with a roaring 'Master of the House'. Lea Salonga, who played Eponine in the 10th anniversary concert & who originated the role of Kim in Miss Saigon, is stunning as Fantine, her 'I Dreamed A Dream' almost had me in tears. Samantha Barks, a finalist on the BBC's I'd Do Anything, is an equally good Eponine and Katie Hall makes for a feisty and wonderfully sung Cosette.
The only flaw in the casting was that of Nick Jonas as Marius. He is easily outsung by pretty much everyone else on stage, and does very little in the way of acting. His casting is strange to me, it is obviously an attempt to draw in other audiences, but the average Jonas Brother fan would have been outpriced by the ticket prices to see the show live. However, the DVD features an annoucement that the feature film version of Les Mis is in the works, so it could be that he's been emarked for the film.
Other mentions should go to the stunning Ramin Karimloo's (currently playing the Phantom in Love Never Dies) performance as Enjolras, the student rebel leader, whose voice and charisma makes him an able leader. He is ably supported by Hadley Fraser as Grantaire, whose voice is equally amazing.
The concert is very well done. Conducted by David Charles Abell (who directed the 10th anniversary concert), the massive orchestra gives a truly symphonic sound to a score that I personally believe is one of the best. A use of screens sets the time and a use of video fills in scenes that couldn't be done of the 02 stage and lighting is used to represent the famous barricades.
As part of the extended curtain call, the current West End company, the international tour company and the original 1985 company all joined together on stage. Colm Wilkinson, Simon Bowman, John Owen-Jones and Alfie Boe all joined together to sing a beautiful version of 'Bring Him Home', the original cast (with the help of Ramin Karimloo) joined together to lead the company in 'One Day More' and the Epilogue was reprised with casts of various student productions of Les Mis.
All in all, the 02 concert is brilliantly recorded on DVD, and one dud performance doesn't get in the way of the stunning music and wonderful other performances.
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