Les Miserables: 25th Anniversary Tour – Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
Book/Music: Claude-Michel Schonberg
Lyricist: Herbert Kretzmer
Dramatist: Alain Boublil
Adaptor: Trevor Nunn & John Caird
Director: Laurence Connor & James Powell
Reviewer: Hannah Badrock
The Public Reviews Rating: 
25 years not only marks a significant anniversary for one of the most successful long running musicals, ‘Les Miserables’, but reflects the continued magnificence of the show, and this touring production of it does the previous 25 years credit.
Based on Victor Hugo’s 17th Century novel, ‘Les Miserables’ follows the physical and (perhaps more significantly) the spiritual journey of Jean Valjean after he is set free from 19 years imprisonment for stealing a loaf of bread. Although free from the physical bonds of jail, Valjean remains a prisoner of his past throughout the story of ‘Les Miserables’ (spanning over 15 years). His story is interwoven with the lives of the ‘miserables’ of France who, like Valjean, strive for love, justice, survival and ultimately salvation. These complex and diverse stories and characters are all set against the historical and harrowing backdrop of the French Revolution.
Just as their stories are set against the backdrop of history in the form of the Revolution, the set is literally against the backdrop of history in the form of Victor Hugo’s paintings. Not only do the paintings act as a mark of respect to the author of the tale but their chilling and expressionist form helps put every scene into context and creates an authentic background to the rest of the physical set which is impressive and used to its best advantage whether it’s simply a chair and table or the barricades of battle. The use of Hugo’s paintings, which are also used as moving projections, is a sophisticated development to the long running production and has not been seen in previous tours. However, rather than distracting from the main content of the piece (as many high-tech advancements can) this development adds to the overall impact of the production. However, often the more poignant moments of the story take place with little or no set at all. One such moment is Valjean’s conversion to Christianity when he is simply alone on stage. This reflects how the set is used throughout to aid the story, not distract from it.
Every performance by the cast is flawless. The whole ensemble work together to create an outstanding performance, the like of which I have not yet seen. John Owen-Jones’ Jean Valjean is breathtaking and by far the best I have seen (bearing in mind this is the 6th time I have seen ‘Les Miserables’). The character of Jean Valjean demands not only a powerful performance as an actor but a huge vocal range and Owen-Jones successfully rises to the challenge. Likewise, Earl Carpenter gives an impeccable performance as Inspector Javert and matches Owen-Jones vocally as the song writing demands in many of their ‘face-off’ duets. Of the female cast, Madalena Alberto’s Fantine stood out for me. Her rendition of ‘I dreamed a dream’ was astounding and gained the audiences instant attention for the remainder of her small (but certainly no less important) feature in the production. Perhaps the most surprising performance, however, came in the form of Gareth Gate’s Marius. Although following in the footsteps of various other well know actors/performers into the part of Marius his acting was the most convincing and his vocals the most powerful I have seen since Michael Ball’s performance for the 10th Anniversary tour.
This production boasts such complex storylines and diverse characterisation whilst tackling so many issues of humanity and spirituality that it is near impossible to do it justice in a few words. The historical foundation that ‘Les Miserables’ is based upon (in both historical fact and historical literature) leaves its audience with far more than simply a ‘good night at the theatre’. It sets it apart from other musicals of its generation and I have yet to find its equal.
Runs until 11 September 2010.
Tags: Alain Boublil, Cameron Mackintosh, Claude-Michel Schonberg, Earl Carpenter, Gareth Gates, Herbert Kretzmer, James Powell, John Caird, John Owen Jones, Laurence Connor, Les Miserables, Madalena Alberto, mayflower theatre, Southampton, Trevor Nunn, Victor Hugo
11:19 pm on August 30th, 2010
I have also seen the 25th Anniversary tour and have to agree the show is fantastic. Not a musical I thought I would enjoy but was captivated, especially with Gareth Gates performance as Marius, which had me spellbound. So much so that I have booked to go again to the Barbican
8:09 am on September 5th, 2010
Just seen Les Mis at Southampton – what can I say? Wonderful, amazing, an absolute treat. I left it late to book and was therefore up in the balcony but this didn’t detract from the brilliance of the performance. I had never seen Les Mis before, how I let it pass me by is beyond belief! I am still buzzing from my experience. The staging was superb, the lighting, costumes, and oh wow the orchestra. The performers were fabulous my favourites being the wonderful Ashley Artus who lit the stage up every time he appeard and the equally talented Lynne Wilmot – what a pairing – Master of the House was outstanding. John Owen-Jones as Valjean was amazing, his stage presence is so commanding and his rendition of Bring Him Home, technically brilliant and perfectly controlled. It was lovely to see Earl Carpenter in the role of Javert especially back near his roots at BPCFE! I felt the men were stronger vocally than the woman, which I have never said of a performance before and that somehow made it more enjoyable. This was a beautifully orchestrated show which left nothing undone. Well done to everyone involved, I want to see it again this week but there are no tickets left. Well done also to the lovely Mayflower Theatre who put on such a lavish production. Looking forward to We will Rock you in 2011. Keep the class acts coming!