Thoughts on the 25th Anniversary of Les Mis
First Act
Certainly the production quality is better than the 10th anniversary but I’m not sold on this cast. Alfie Boe as Valjean seemed awful young at first, but he “grew into” the role quickly.
Black Javert certainly threw me and I didn’t like him at first, but by the “Another Brawl” sequence, I was liking him more. Maybe it’s his accent, maybe it’s the lack of sideburns, maybe it’s my loyalty to Philip Quast, but I don’t think I’ll ever love this Javert.
Some more color-blind casting with Fantine, but she’s very good.
Matt Lucas as Thenardier. Oh, gosh. He’s not the strongest singer, for sure, but you can tell he’s really into the part. He adds a lot of his comedy flair to the role. “Let’s not haggle for darling Collette. Cossette!” I half expected a “yeah-but-no-but-yeah-but-no” during the “Waltz of Treachery.” Lucas reminds me of Quark from Deep space 9 in his portrayal of Thenardier. It’s not helped by the hat making his ears stick out. I think I may have a new favorite Thenardier. Madame Thenardier, not so much. (EDIT: Oh, my God. That’s 10th anniversary Madame Thenardier! What happened? Why don’t I like her in this?!)
I’m sitting here going, “Who is that guy playing Marius? I recognize him. His singing… I don’t like it. Too American-y. Tone down the adenoids, boy!” Then I looked at the DVD case. He’s a Jonas. Nick Jonas. That explains a lot. He’s got wonky teeth for an American.
Ramin Karimloo. Be still, my heart! He’s the only reason I like ONE song out of Love Never Dies. (Other than that LND is absolute crap.) A very good Enjolras. He blinks weird sometimes when he’s holding a note. It’s just something I noticed. I don’t really care for Grantaire. I just love Symphonic Recording Grantiere and his pronunciation of “Don Jew-ahn.”
“One Day More” sequence was really good. The conductor was really into it. He jumped up and down a couple times and that made me laugh. I like that the backup chorus have t-shirts that are color coded to be the French flag.
Second Act
If I could choose one part to play in this (and if I could sing) I’d want to be Éponine. Well, I’d want to be Javert, but seeing as I’m a girl, that ain’t gonna happen. There were some really weird interactions between Marius and Éponine in “A Little Fall of Rain.” It was like they didn’t want to touch each other. Much better in the 10th anniversary version.
I hate “Bring Him Home.” Don’t know why, I just do. Doesn’t matter who is singing it, I don’t like it. Alfie Boe has wonderful eye crinkles when he smiles.
I have to say, I love the light bars that raise and lower. Very clever piece of set/lighting design, that.
Oh, Javert, I think you won me over in the end. Quast is still my favorite though.
Boe got really emotional in his death scene. I think I saw a tear.
“And remember the truth that once was spoken: To love another person is to see the face of God.” And “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” Are two of the most powerful lines in the show for me.
The two children at the lowered microphone… too cute!
The girl in the audience with the tears and mascara streaming down her face? That’ll be me when I see the show in August. (*fingers crossed*)
When then had the original company come out at the end, oh, that was lovely! Michael Ball is all grown up, but he can still belt out those Marius notes! David Burt must have not been able to make it. I’m okay with Ramin Karimloo filling in. Oh, Roger Allam, why are you beardy? I do not like it.
Hooray! Here’s wishing Les Mis 25 more years!
OH, MY GOD!!! MUSICAL MOTION PICTURE?!?!?!?! I AM EXCITE!!