Les Miserables 28.10.2015

Les Miserables is, and always will be, one of the best pieces of theatre known to man. With it’s captivating music, elaborate staging, and impeccable casting, you can’t go to the show and be disappointed. This time was no different. It had, unfortunately, been a while since I had seen the show, but had heard great things about this cast from many people, and entered there with my expectations high. I was not disappointed. Adam Bayjou shone out as Jean Valjean, holding the audience with every word, and pulling them deep into the story from his first soliloquy. Having seen Adam in Assassins, I knew of his talent and was expecting him to be good - I was not expecting him to be THAT good. His Bring Him Home was beautiful, causing me and the surrounding audience to cry. His death scene was haunting, the whole audience left feeling the loss. His standing ovation at the end was well earned, and I cannot wait to see him in the role again, nor in whatever this stepping stone leads him to. There is no denying his talent. Jeremy Secomb was a phenomenal Javert. His suicide left you aching for him, as he played the part so well, and the confliction of how he felt was clear in his every word and movement. I am not someone who usually relates well to his character - I find he is sometimes played a little too hard and callous - but this performance left me wishing he chose a different path, one that he could live with. Breathtaking acting make him a Javert to see! The Thénardiers were, simply, hilarious. From Master Of The House to Dog Eats Dog, they had you in the palm of their hands. Tamsin Dowsett was a brilliant Madame Thénardier, holding the audiences attention and with perfect comic timing throughout. Phil Daniels kept the audience laughing, putting his own stamp on iconic moments, making for an audience unable to contain their laughter. Bradley Jaden and Rob Houchen are, quite simply, the perfect Enjolras and Marius. They clearly understand and relate well to their roles, something that is clear from their fluid acting and emotion. The connection they have with each other is subtle but strong, and has you gripped from their entrance. Both have powerful voices that fill the room, accompanied by solid acting from both, leaving you sure of their desires and feelings. I am someone who loves the dynamics of Enjolras and Grantaire, something this cast clearly loves too. Grantaire has been my favourite character for a long time, but Jo Parsons inhabits the role completely. He plays the part of the drunk friend well, one who is clearly there because of his friends (one in particular...) than because he actually wants to be. The small things he does make him the best Grantaire I have ever seen, and made his Drink With Me and death scene all the more traumatic. Rachelle Ann Go was a vocally perfect Fantine, but as a personal preference, I like to be able to hear the emotion in the voice as well as just see. Her vocal was a little too perfect, but there is no denying her talent and ability to go far. Emma Kingston and Charlotte Kennedy did well stepping into the mighty shoes of Eponine and Cosette. They are not easy roles, and their acting was superb. Emma's Little Fall Of Rain with Rob Houchen was beautiful, bringing a tear to my eye. Her On My Own lacked a little in emotion, but I have no doubt she has the ability to bring that up. Charlotte was a beautiful Cosette, the least annoying one I have seen if I'm truly honest. (Such an irritating character...) She was subtle in her admiration of Marius, making it more believable and relatable. Overall, none of the cast was a disappointment, and it is by far one of the strongest casts of any show I have seen in a long time. There is clear chemistry between all involved, and the bonds between the entire cast off stage translate onto the stage, making it a pleasure to watch! If you've not seen the show, this is the cast to see to make you fall under the spell of Les Miserables. If you have seen, this is the cast to give you a whole new take on a classic.

#les miserables #adam bayjou #jeremy Secomb #rob Houchen #bradley Jaden #London les Miserables #Theatre #Musicals

Les Miserables 28.10.2015

EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT REBLOGS THIS BY DECEMBER 25TH, 2015 WILL GET A RANDOM DOODLE