Review: Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular

What:

Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular

Where:

The ICC, 14 Darling Dr, Sydney

The story:

Do you hear the people sing? Oh my, did these people sing. They sang the roof off the ICC in what turned out to be one hell of an unforgettable night in Australian music history. No exaggeration.

Australia has had a long love affair with Les Misérables, which is why this show broke the record for shows at the ICC, selling out 15 nights. Not bad for a show that first brought Victor Hugo’s story of the French Revolution to life in London 40 years ago. It is the world’s longest-running musical. It’s a story, of love, loss, redemption, hope and fighting for freedom.

This grand-scale production, part of the Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular World Tour, reimagines the classic tale with a blend of concert-style presentation and full theatrical staging, tailored for large venues. It is so cleverly done, with screens depicting some action scenes, a movable set that doubles as the barricade and gives theatrical oomph at times, and impeccable lighting that deserves a cast mention.

The show:

After Sir Cameron Mackintosh created a staged concert while the Sondheim Theatre was being renovated, it gave him the idea to go even bigger – an arena spectacular that would go around the world. Not only that, it would involve a lot of key Les Misérables ‘family’ members who have played a role or three over the show’s 40-year reign.

The production, which has already played to sold-out crowds in Europe and London, features a stellar cast, including Alfie Boe, (who shares the role with Killian Donnelly) as Jean Valjean and Michael Ball (who shares the role with Bradley Jaden) as Inspector Javert. Both actors have deep ties to the musical: Ball originated the role of Marius in the original London production, while Boe has portrayed Valjean in various acclaimed performances. He first sang Bring Him Home when he was 15, and went on to play the role on the West End, Broadway and in the 25th Anniversary Concert. Rachelle Ann Go delivers a poignant performance as Fantine, a role she first played almost a decade ago in the West End. Matt Lucas (of Little Britain fame) provides comic relief as the innkeeper Thénardier, a role he played 15 years ago, while Marina Prior played Cosette and covered Fantine in the original Australian production. Here, she gets to show off her comedy chops.

This production features a cast of over 65 including a 27-piece orchestra.

Facts about Les Misérables

Originally conceived by French duo Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, Les Misérables debuted in Paris in 1980. Its English-language adaptation, produced by Cameron Mackintosh, premiered in London in 1985.

In 1989, the Sydney Festival invited Les Misérables to do a live performance of the musical in The Domain. Everyone, including Cameron Mackintosh, was absolutely delirious when 125,000 people turned up.

Les Misérables has been seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries and in 22 languages.

What I loved:

All of it. Every single minute. I have not stopped singing the songs since the rapturous crowd’s ovations had echoed around the inside of the ICC long after the cast had left. It made me teary a few times, generally due to the unbelievable performances. I teared up at Alfie Boe (Jean Valjean) singing Bring Him Home. You could hear a pin drop and like several other performers, he had every single person in the palm of his hand. I needed more tissues when Rachelle An Go was absolutely flawless breaking our hearts with Fantine’s plaintive I Dream a Dream. I couldn’t take my eyes off her with the emotion of the song writ large on her face. Not to mention Éponine’s (Shan Ako) cry from the heart in On My Own, and Marius’ (Jac Yarrow) oh so sad Empty Chairs at Empty Tables. Just as mesmerising was Michael Ball (Javert) and his perfect performance of Stars. There was laughter too, generally when the dastardly Thénadiers are on stage. Matt Lucas made what is a funny role even more hilarious, and Helen Walsh, who stepped in for a sick Marina Prior on opening night, was absolutely stellar as his long-suffering wife. She really nailed it. Master of the House is another high point. Such a classic.

I loved the iconic group and ensemble pieces just as much. At The End of The Day, Do You Hear the People Sing and the show-stopping, emotion-charged ” One Day More. The harmonies and heart swell of that number never, ever get old.

After the show concluded, and the standing ovation was roaring, we in the audience were left stunned when Cameron Mackintosh himself came out on the stage, to talk about the production and the close ties with Australia. As if that wasn’t enough, he then brought out some of the Australian stars from Les Miserables’ productions here, including:
Normie Rowe, the original Valjean in the 1987 production
Philip Quast, Javert in the original 1987 Australian cast and the legendary 10th Anniversary Concert in London
William Zappa, who played Thénardier in the 1987 production
Lara Mulcahy, who played Madame Thénardier in the 1997 and 2014 production
David Campbell, who played Marius in the 10th Anniversary production in 1995
Simon Burke, who played Marius in the original 1987 production
Scott Irwin, who portrayed Enjolras in the 10th Anniversary cast in 1995
Nikki Webster, who played Little Cosette in the 1997 production.

Our much-loved stars then joined the cast to reprise the Finale, and it was unbelievably special to be there to see Normie with both Valjean’s – Alfie Boe and Killian Donnelly, and Philip Quast with the two Javert’s – Michael Ball and Bradley Jaden, David Campbell and Simon Burke with Jac Yarrow (Marius), Nicky Webster with Shan Ko, Scott Irwin with Enjolras, James D. Gish, and William Zappa and Lara Mulcahy – who played the wickedly funny Thenadiers in various productions, were with Matt Lucas and Helen Walsh. Hearing them all belt out One More Day was almost too much to bear. People were whipping out their phones to record this magic moment, but I was too entranced to move.

Get tickets to this show as soon as you can here. You will not regret it.

For a sneak peek, you can see some of the World Tour cast here!

Booking information:

Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular is on in Sydney until 11 May, is on at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne from 14 -25 May, and at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre from 28 May with seven shows.
lesmisarenatour.com.au