Les Miserables
Dates: 10 -
14 November 2004
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Reviewer: John Jane
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Randal
Keith as Jean Valjean |
Cameron Mackintosh’s incredibly affecting stage adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel Les Miserables brilliantly interprets the power of forgiveness and the destructive force of self-loathing. This multi-layered adaptation is firmly focused on the conflict between the heroic Jean Valjean, who through the story, converts from fugitive to compassionate father figure, and the cruel Inspector Javert, who is obsessed with hunting down Valjean.
Randal Keith (Valjean) and Robert Hunt (Javert) are captivating as the central characters. Both possess an expansive vocal range and commanding stage presence. The vivid contrast between these two performances made this musical theatre piece an interesting morality play. Hunt’s portrayal of the evil policeman was so effective that he received good-natured boos during the curtain call.
North Carolina native Randal Keith brought authority and nuance to the ballad, “Who Am I?”. While in contrast, he moved effortlessly into high pianissimo on “Bring Him Home,” almost stopping the show at Wednesday evening's opening performance.
This tour version
of Les Miserables is an epic three-hour production, and
comes to Vancouver leaving nothing behind from that seen in Chicago
and LA, including John Napier’s mythic set, augmented by a 34-foot
revolving stage and two giant, mechanical barricades that glide together
seamlessly into one unit.
At times the show is a little guilty of pretentious ambition. So, the boisterous “Master of the House” performed by the entire company in the Trénardier’s Inn scene halfway through the first act, came as a welcome relief. Veterans of the Broadway production, Jennifer Butt and David Benoit as the Trénardiers, provided comic relief in every scene as well as reminding us of the meagre life on pre-revolutionary Paris streets.
Young Alex Rutherford was terrific as the urchin Gavroche. Rutherford delighted the audience and practically stole the second act as the cocky narrator.
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| A
scene from Les Miserables |
Melissa Lyons as the ill-fated Eponine and Leslie Henstock as the winsome Cossette delivered strong performances. Lyons in particular, gave a confident moxie delivery as she lamented on her unrequited love of Marius, in one of the show’s best songs, “On my Own”.
Tonya Dixon as Fantine, looked far too healthy and robust, and her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” too spirited from someone suffering the final stages of consumption. However, this was really only a minor distraction.
Les Miserables is a character mosaic woven onto a backdrop of political struggle in pre-revolutionary France that provides a compelling story line. It will no doubt continue to thrill audiences for many more years.
© 2004 John Jane