5 star Review Les Miserables Palace Theatre

LES MISERABLES AT THE PALACE THEATRE until March 30 2019.
 5 star Review by Natalie Anglesey

Since Cameron Mackintosh first conceived this new production of Les Misérables to celebrate the shows 25^th anniversary in 2009, it has taken the world by storm and enjoyed thunderous applause throughout in Manchester tonight followed by standing ovations.
 Modern audiences have embraced this production as Les Mis for the 21^st century. It has played to packed houses all over the world in many languages and this particular tour has so far sold out - so you may have to fight for a ticket!  It also inspired the hugely successful movie version starring Hugh Jackman, and Anne Hathaway. 

Now I've seen this version and previous others  several times and enjoyed each one for different reasons. I've also had the privilege of meeting the original creators, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg as I've mentioned previously. However there is on this tour a new Valjean to me.  

Fresh from playing in the West End as Jean Valjean, Killian Donnelly is playing the role in the show’s UK tour. He makes a powerful Jean Valjean. Prior to his run in Les Misérables, he is well- known for several roles in the West End. He played the role of Charlie Price in Kinky Boots on Broadway, a role he originated at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End in 2015, and for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award. 

Nic Greenshield is a magnificent Javert with a voice to match his performance. In the predominately young cast Katie Hall is a vulnerable Fontine, and Bronwen Hanson is Cosette, with Tegan  Bannister as the love-struck Eponine. Making his professional debut is Harry Apps as Marius with Martin Ball as the repulsive Thernadier. One of the highlights for me was a terrific performance from Sophie Louise Dann- the best Madame Thenardier I've seen-  stealing every scene she is in.

This brilliant new staging has scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, which are evocative of the turbulent times. This production has been seen in North America, South America, Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Spain, France, Manila, Singapore, Dubai and Broadway. 

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, which I read when I was an impressionable school-girl, no matter how many times I see it I still shed a tear- so take a hanky!   Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent score includes the songs, ‘I Dreamed a Dream’, ‘On My Own’, ‘Stars’, ‘Bring Him Home’, ‘Do You Hear the People Sing?’, ‘One Day More’, ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’, ‘Master Of The House’ and many more.  Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 45 countries and in 22 languages, Les Misérables is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Les Misérables has additional material by James Fenton and original adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. The original Les Misérables orchestrations are by John Cameron with new orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke and additional orchestrations by Stephen Metcalfe and Stephen Brooker.

The production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and additional costumes by Christine Rowland. The lighting is by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, musical staging by Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt, with projections by Fifty-Nine Productions and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Graham Hurman. This is a real team effort and it shows in a spectacular way. Fight to get a ticket- if there are any left. Did I cry? Several times in this magnificent production.

Tickets can be booked by telephone, online or in person at the Palace Theatre Box Office, Oxford Street, Manchester. For more information, or to book, visit www.atgtickets.com/Manchester or call 0844 871 3019.