Theatre: Les Misérables

Kerrie Anne Greenland

From the novel by Victor Hugo
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg
Lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel
English libretto by Herbert Kretzmer
A Cameron Mackintosh production
Directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell
Musical director/conductor Geoffrey Castles
Set design by Matt Kinley
Lighting design by Paule Constable
Sound by Mick Potter

Back in 1987, when we were young and unafraid, we sprang a leak as Debbie Byrne dreamed her dream and foundered completely as Normie Rowe brought it home. We were amazed as the barricades clicked into place like a massive Transformer toy and Javert hurtled down through a torrent of stars. We were sure that we’d seen the standard-bearer for the return of the musical, and that it all meant something profound.
Will Les Misérables have survived all the years intact? How will this production measure up to its famous forebears? Most revealing, will it still pass the Old Grey Sniffle Test?
The answer to all three questions is “yes”, albeit with real reservations.
We came out from the opening night performance to news of gunfire and slaughter in the streets of Paris. A reminder that Liberté, Égalité and Fraternité always have their foes, and that we should save our tears for when they are truly needed.

Link here to the complete review in The West Australian