Review: Les Miserables at the Palace Theatre, Manchester

Feb 1 2010 by Francesca Elliott, Chester Chronicle

LES MISERABLES/Palace Theatre, Manchester, until February 13

REVIEW/by Francesca Elliott

NEWS that Les Miserables was coming to Manchester’s Palace Theatre caused quite an uproar in The Chronicle office, and a battle quickly ensued for the coveted press tickets for the sell-out show.

The hugely popular musical, based on the French novel by Victor Hugo, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a fresh take on the original.

Set in 19th Century France, it follows the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean who absconds from parole and goes on the run from the heartless Inspector Javert.

Devotees of Les Miserables will be familiar with the epic sets, large ensemble casts and rotating barricades, but directors Laurence Connor and James Powell, who have both previously appeared in the show, have managed to create a subtler re-imagining of the tragic tale.

The dark atmospheric sets designed by Matt Kinley include water colour paintings done by Victor Hugo himself and help create a more intimate, realistic landscape then previously seen and exciting computer imagery adds to the sense of reality.

The stage also feels much closer to the audience, making it easier for the emotional journeys of the characters to be seen and helps the audience to become more involved with the story, which in my opinion, is also more easy to follow in this version.

The quality of acting and singing was excellent, even from Gareth Gates, who plays Marius , who I’m not generally a fan of.

Katie Hall, a former boot camp contestant for the BBC’s I’d Do Anything was well cast as Cosette, her voice perfect for the role as Valjean’s adopted daughter.

Earl Carpenter as Javert gave a powerful performance, as did John Owen-Jones as Jean Valjean, the lynch pin of all the action.

Les Mis is a good night out, and the fact it is still playing to sold out audiences more than two decades after opening, is testament to the power and longevity of good theatre.

A word of warning though - within five minutes of Fantine’s opening number, my theatre buddy was crying her eyes out, and 10 minutes later was passing tissues along the row of similarly affected theatre goers.

The sounds of crying around the audience then didn’t stop for the next three hours.

If you’re lucky enough to get tickets, bring tissues.

Les Miserables will be at The Palace Theatre until Saturday February 13. Call Ticketmaster on 0844 847 2275 or visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk

It can also be seen at The Lowry in Salford Quays this summer, from August 10-21. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 111 2000.