There’s some shows that you can see multiple times and when you see them again they still have that same magic as when you first saw the show; you still feel the same feelings and the love, flame and passion for the music and the lyrics is reignited each time. Les Miserables is one of those shows and it was with great excitement that I sat down to watch the show yet again last night. The atmosphere from the audience was electric; this only made a show that is already emotionally charged even more so and the whole cast lived up to so many expectations.
Killian Donnelly is the perfect Jean Valjean. He sings the songs with ease and he clearly understands and lives the character he is playing. Bring Him Home sounded effortless and had myself and many around me in tears. Valjean’s Soliloquy at the beginning of Act One was, personally, a standout moment for me. Donnelly portrayed the characters internal struggle well and made the move into the determination that he was going to make a better life for himself very believable.
Hayden Tee played a strong Javert and the Inspector’s battle with himself and his constant need to put a criminal who had escaped parole behind bars was clearly shown. Stars was sung with obvious determination and power. It was evidently well loved by the audience and received a well-deserved, fantastic reception.
Paul Wilkins and Charlotte Kennedy, as Marius and Cosette, worked very well together. You believed in their romance and their voices blended together seamlessly.
Kennedy seemed to play Cosette with less vibrato than some of the previous actresses I’ve seen and I, personally, preferred this take on the role.
Wilkins was not afraid to show Marius’ emotion and literally sobbed his way through A Little Fall of Rain. You believed that the character did care about Eponine’s (Karis Jack) fate and that he did love her, although maybe not in the way Eponine would have liked him to, which is not always the case. Wilkins’ Empty Chairs at Empty Tables was also sung beautifully and was layered with raw emotion. There were a few times where he struggled to sing a line through the tears and this only added to the character.
Wilkins has played this role for a long time, starting as an understudy and playing the role full time in Dubai, before taking over in London. This showed in his performance, his knowledge and understanding of the character was strong and he added different layers to a character who can at times, I feel, be quite two dimensional.
The Theatre Bears love seeing an understudy. We’ve discovered some of our favourite West End performers after seeing them cover lead roles, before moving onto becoming principals themselves. Tonight was no exception, with Jonny Purchase and Alice Ellen Wright performing as Enjolras and Fantine respectively.
I was very impressed with Purchase’s portrayal of Enjolras. The character has always been a favourite of mine and he perfectly executed his strength and determination to succeed in the cause he was fighting for. His partnership with Wilkins and Hugo Chiarella, who played an excellent Grantaire, was very believable.
Alice Ellen Wright made a big impression as Fantine. She moved easily from the bitterness of a woman left alone with a child to the vulnerability and sadness that the situation she finds herself in brings. I Dreamed a Dream had a very pure, innocent quality about it, which I loved.
I fully believe that a show is only as good as its supporting cast and the current ensemble at Les Mis are very strong. Vocals were crisp and clear throughout and each cast member played even the smallest of roles with conviction.
Les Mis will always be one of my favourite musicals and last night the cast showcased exactly why. I would recommend anyone, even if you’ve seen the show before, goes to see the current company in action. You won’t be disappointed!
Killian Donnelly is the perfect Jean Valjean. He sings the songs with ease and he clearly understands and lives the character he is playing. Bring Him Home sounded effortless and had myself and many around me in tears. Valjean’s Soliloquy at the beginning of Act One was, personally, a standout moment for me. Donnelly portrayed the characters internal struggle well and made the move into the determination that he was going to make a better life for himself very believable.
Hayden Tee played a strong Javert and the Inspector’s battle with himself and his constant need to put a criminal who had escaped parole behind bars was clearly shown. Stars was sung with obvious determination and power. It was evidently well loved by the audience and received a well-deserved, fantastic reception.
Paul Wilkins and Charlotte Kennedy, as Marius and Cosette, worked very well together. You believed in their romance and their voices blended together seamlessly.
Kennedy seemed to play Cosette with less vibrato than some of the previous actresses I’ve seen and I, personally, preferred this take on the role.
Wilkins was not afraid to show Marius’ emotion and literally sobbed his way through A Little Fall of Rain. You believed that the character did care about Eponine’s (Karis Jack) fate and that he did love her, although maybe not in the way Eponine would have liked him to, which is not always the case. Wilkins’ Empty Chairs at Empty Tables was also sung beautifully and was layered with raw emotion. There were a few times where he struggled to sing a line through the tears and this only added to the character.
Wilkins has played this role for a long time, starting as an understudy and playing the role full time in Dubai, before taking over in London. This showed in his performance, his knowledge and understanding of the character was strong and he added different layers to a character who can at times, I feel, be quite two dimensional.
The Theatre Bears love seeing an understudy. We’ve discovered some of our favourite West End performers after seeing them cover lead roles, before moving onto becoming principals themselves. Tonight was no exception, with Jonny Purchase and Alice Ellen Wright performing as Enjolras and Fantine respectively.
I was very impressed with Purchase’s portrayal of Enjolras. The character has always been a favourite of mine and he perfectly executed his strength and determination to succeed in the cause he was fighting for. His partnership with Wilkins and Hugo Chiarella, who played an excellent Grantaire, was very believable.
Alice Ellen Wright made a big impression as Fantine. She moved easily from the bitterness of a woman left alone with a child to the vulnerability and sadness that the situation she finds herself in brings. I Dreamed a Dream had a very pure, innocent quality about it, which I loved.
I fully believe that a show is only as good as its supporting cast and the current ensemble at Les Mis are very strong. Vocals were crisp and clear throughout and each cast member played even the smallest of roles with conviction.
Les Mis will always be one of my favourite musicals and last night the cast showcased exactly why. I would recommend anyone, even if you’ve seen the show before, goes to see the current company in action. You won’t be disappointed!