Returning by popular demand following a sell-out run, Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s musical Les Misérables returns to Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.
The sung through musical Les Misérables or Les Mis as it’s commonly known, is based on a novel of the same name written by Victor Hugo between 1845 – 1861. The work was published in French in 1862, becoming an instant bestseller and success, the book was quickly translated into several other languages.
For those who don’t know the story, there are some very relatable themes to what’s happening in the UK today. Though not quite a revolution, the recent strikes across NHS, Royal Mail and Rail Services certainly spring to mind as well as the rise in cost of living.
Set in the Parisian underworld, the story follows convict Jean Valjean and his change in fortunes. Once a victim of society, Valjean is imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to save his sister’s son. The production opens on a ship, one of Victor Hugo’s own paintings used as the backdrop and CGI used to depict the waves. It is a very different, hardened and streetwise criminal that is released after 19 years on the chain gang.
Eights years on, we see that Valjean has become mayor of a town and a successful industrialist and factory owner, where Fantine works. But when the other ladies discover she has an illegitimate child, they want her gone.
Desperate for money to send to the Thénardiers’ for medicine to save her daughter, Fantine sells the only possession she has, a locket and then her hair. With no other choice and nothing left, she sells herself and gets into a fight with a prospective customer. Arrested for attacking a “gentleman” she is to be taken to prison, the mayor arrives in time to stop Inspector Javert and instead demands she is taken to a hospital.
Despite these good deeds, Valjean is still haunted by his regrettable former crime and is relentlessly pursued by Javert. When a man confesses to being Valjean, unable to see an innocent man imprisoned, he reveals he is prisoner 24601. Evading capture, he makes it to the hospital in time to promise a dying Fantine he will take care of her daughter Cosette. The promise is kept and Valjean pays the Thénardies’ so he can take Cosette to Paris.
We skip on again, nine years later where the city is in unrest and the only ally for the poor General Lamarque is dead. When the news spreads a group of politically invested students revolt and barricade the street, resulting in many deaths.
Though it’s not all doom and gloom, with the underlying love story. Eponine is secretly in love with one of the students, Marius though her feelings are unrequited. Upon briefly meeting Cosette Marius only has eyes for her, and she for him. Valjean, not wanting Cosette to lose Marius after intercepting a letter meant for Cosette, goes to the barricade himself to save the boy. Valjean confesses his past to Marius and makes him promise not to say a word to Cosette and sends them away. As they say the truth will out, and just before Valjean dies, Cosette and Marius make it to him after learning the truth of the past.
The magnificent score of Les Misérables includes iconic songs such as I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, One Day More, Master Of The House and many more.
By far the most relatable song of the show, At the End of the Day, sings about how “at the end of the day you’re another day colder, and the shirt on your back doesn’t keep out the chill”. With energy prices constantly on the rise and temperatures dipping below freezing, families are still hesitant to turn on the heating.
The stage of the WMC was packed with pure talent, Dean Chisnall as ‘Jean Valjean’, and his show stopping performance of Bring Him Home the most notable. The incredible Siobhan O’Driscoll takes up the role of ‘Éponine’, and our very own Welsh star of the West End Lauren Drew as ‘Fantine’. Nic Greenshields, a big personality quite literally towering over the other cast members as ‘Javert’, Paige Blankson as ‘Cosette’ with Helen Walsh and Ian Hughes in the roles of Madame Thénardier and Thénardier.
A cast of nearly 50 strong, including some exceptionally talented younger members, and a crew list just as long the credits they have between them, could fill a book nearly as long as the original novel.
It’s no wonder that this brilliant new staging has taken the world by storm and been hailed “Les Mis for the 21st Century”. With the use of CGI at times and scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, the sets were awe inspiring.
We have had the privilege to see many productions over the years and I can honestly say I do not think we have seen a set quite as intricate. The stage has both depth and height, with what look to be entire buildings moved on and off stage throughout. The thought and detail that has gone into not just costumes and set, but lighting also, by the fantastic Paule Constable, truly made this the best musical theatre we have ever experienced.
Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 52 countries and in 22 languages, is there any wonder that Les Misérables is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.
Prepare to storm the box office for tickets before they’re all gone!
- Running time – Approximately 2 hours 50 minutes (including one interval).
- Age guidance: 8+ (no under 2s).
- Contains strobe lighting.
Please note: Due to the announced train strikes the performance on Saturday 24 December will now start at 1pm rather than 2.30pm. Ticketholders have been contacted via email.
Tickets can be bought from £22.50 available here.
