Do you hear us sing? We check out Les Mis in Sydney!
I haven’t seen a stage production of Les Misérables before, but I have seen it on the silver screen a couple of times. Admittedly, the first time was purely on the merit of having Hugh Jackman and Eddie Redmayne in the cast, but the second time, well, that was for the music.
Humming the lyrics to ‘Do You Hear the People Sing’ makes me feel as if I too would have joined the push for social revolution a couple of hundred years ago. Luckily the cast has arrived in Sydney, so I don’t have to risk life and limb to be swept up in the poverty, bravery, unrequited love, and redemption of Victor Hugo’s famous tale.
It’s opening night and the Capitol Theatre is spectacularly lit up in red, blue, and white. There’s an old-school romance about going to the theatre; I fancy the opportunity to get dressed up and sip champagne. The atmospheric Capitol Theatre is the perfect backdrop for Les Misérables.
Les Mis is based on the story of Jean Valjean, who, after 19 years on a chain gang attempts to rise from hardship to become an honest man. He is doggedly chased for the rest of his life by his parole officer, the overzealous Inspector Javert.
The lead role is played by Simon Gleeson, who does a stellar job of bringing the strength of Prisoner 24601 to life on stage. The set and staging for the opening scene help the actors perfectly portray the struggle of the poor convicts. Creative lighting and projected images throughout help bring drama to the storyline.
Fantine, a factory worker who loses her job when her workmates discover she has an illegitimate child, is played by Patrice Tipoki. Fantine is in a desperate situation and turns to prostitution to provide for her young daughter Cosette, whom she boards with the Thenardiers.
Trevor Ashley and Lara Mulcahy are hilarious as the Thenardiers. The audience LOLs during their ‘Master of the House’ scene, in which they pickpocket their drunken patrons and water down their wine. They have a daughter, Eponine, who joins the revolutionaries.
Enjolras, the passionate student leader of the revolution, is played by Chris Durling. His buddy and fellow revolutionary Marius is played by Euan Doidge. Marius is love-struck with Cosette, who has now been adopted by Valjean; however, Eponine is head over heels in love with Marius. Oh, the drama!
Les Misérables is an epic production and the score includes other songs you’ll recognise, like ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ and ‘On My Own’. Be careful or you’ll find yourself humming them, like I did, as you make your coffee the next day.
Les Mis is long – 2 hours and 55 minutes – but you won’t notice; you’ll be totally captivated. I give it five thumbs up and suggest you mouse straight over to Ticketmaster to nab a ticket for you and your plus one.
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