CityLife

Les Miserables

Les Miserables

Les Miserables
The Lowry
August 12, 2010

It's back! That's the good news. Now the bad news. It's already sold out!

Cameron Mackintosh's revamped version of the world's longest running musical, first seen in this country 25 years ago, returns to Manchester but not to the Palace Theatre where we saw it earlier this year but this time to The Lowry.

Does it make a difference? Yes and no. There's something so inspirational about Victor Hugo's story of one man's struggle for redemption set against the epic back-drop of the chaotic post French Revolution period, that it sits comfortably in both old and new theatres.

It would take a hard heart not to be moved by this tragedy or thrilled by the storming of the barricades and the audience showed its approval with a standing ovation.

The adaptation by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg is as faithful to the original story as performance times allows and they've already told me of their gratitude for Mackintosh's help in moulding their creation.

Schonberg's score with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer is both majestic in its sweep and so touching in its poignancy that it still brings a tear.

The magnificent John Owen-Jones has made the pivotal role of Jean Valjean his own and he grips the audience by the throat from his first entrance. The highlight of his charismatic performance for me is still Bring Him Home.

Earl Carpenter, as a brooding Javert, is a worthy opponent in pursuit of his escaped prisoner.

The score also includes the jolly Master Of The House, the moving Empty Chairs At Empty Tables and the uplifting I Dreamed A Dream, which Susan Boyle also helped to make the most popular song in the world.

The love interest is supplied by Pop Idol turned musical star Gareth Gates as the love-struck student Marius and his performance has grown in stature.

Why is this production different from others? For a start it's been redesigned, so there's no danger of the barricades getting stuck as they did on that memorable first night in Manchester.

Designer Matt Kinley has been inspired by Victor Hugo's own art work and its menacing feel mirrors the turbulent times.

Re-directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell it's played at a breath-taking pace. Yet such is the power of the performances that you don't lose sight of its intrinsic humanity.

I saw this award-winning musical in London when it first opened and over 25 years have seen it performed around the world. This one is hard to beat.

Fight to get a seat if one becomes available.