Les Misérables Arena Spectacular Review @lesmisarenatourau
Les Misérables Arena Spectacular
Based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo. Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. Orchestra conducted by Adrian Kirk.
Cast: Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean, Michael Ball as Javert, Matt Lucas as Thénardier, Marina Prior as Madame Thénardier, Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine, Shan Ako as Éponine and Beatrice Penny-Touré as Cosette
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the London production of Les Misérables, this arena production of the much loved musical hits Australian shores, opening in Melbourne at Rod Laver Arena to a packed out, enthralled and enthusiastic audience.
Your reviewer saw Les Misérables in the late 90s when it played at Princess Theatre in Melbourne. The musical escapes the confines of the stage and ventures to Rod Laver Arena, where the audience got to experience it anew on a larger stage, with a vibrant, all encompassing production.
With the exception of Marina Prior, the cast is largely made up of UK theatre performers, many of whom appeared in earlier productions of Les Misérables. That familiarity holds this version of Les Misérables in good stead, as no one, and I mean no one, put a foot wrong through the entire almost three hour running time.
To be honest, I was blown away at how good this show was. From the opening salvo, where we are introduced to Jean Valjean, and his nemesis, Javert, Les Misérables grips the audience by the throat and never lets go. The first thing that strikes you is the staging – a massive lighting rig hangs over the stage, rising and descending in different configurations to suit the scene being played out. Three large screens behind the orchestra are used to give the large audience a close up of the actors involved in each scene, as well as playing stylised versions of particular events, such as the battle of the barricades which caps either side of the intermission.
The orchestra is ably conducted by Adrian Kirk, who whirls away above the stage, leading the orchestra which fills the airy spaces of Rod Laver Arena with a wall of sound that complements the action below. A big sound in a big space never fails to captivate and the music for this production captured my emotions again and again.
Of course, it is the actors and performances which lie at the centre of Les Misérables. I want to pinpoint several performances, but that is not to ignore the skill of the ensemble cast, who all brought their A game and never missed a beat.
Whether solo or in harness, Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean and Michael Ball as Javert both dominate the stage with their presence and vocal talents. A Tony Award winner, Boe previously played the role in 2010 at the O2 in London. The righteous fury he brings to the role shines from his first appearance on stage as the Chain Gang belts out ‘Work Song (Look Down)’.
In effect, both characters are mirror images of each other – Valjean is animated by the great sense of wrong done to him in being jailed for a minor theft, and Javert committed to the law no matter the cost. While Boe’s strong, deep voice filled Rod Laver Arena, I was particularly taken by the lighter tone as shown in ‘Valjean’s Death’ where he contemplates, and even in a sense, welcomes his death and what comes after.
While the material in Les Misérables is heavy, no surprise given its setting, and the suffering of the poor in post Revolutionary France, there is also space for comedy. And boy, does this production deliver. Marina Prior – who very early in her career played the role of Cosette, Valjean’s adoptive daughter – has aged nicely into the role of Madame Thénardier, who along with Matt Lucas as Thénardier bring to life a hilarious double act that delighted the audience.
The thing that surprised me (and I shouldn’t’ve been – Lucas is born to perform – check out his credits in the show book) is that not only does Matt Lucas have great stage presence, but he can sing as well. The way both Prior and Lucas worked together on stage is testament to their professionalism and hard work, because they don’t miss a beat. All good stories like this need lighter sections to counterpoint the darkness. Whenever Prior and Lucas are on stage, you could literally feel the mood of the audience shift. The laughter was heartfelt and infectious, and both performers fed off that.
There were some amusing adjustments to the script to account for the Australian production (a reference to a kookaburra by Lucas invoked gales of laughter). Lucas in particular seems to take huge delight in the amorality of his character, who literally descends into the sewers in search of lost jewelry after the battle at the barricades. Coupled with the power of Boe and Ball, Lucas and Prior (who has lost nothing in terms of her vocal ability) were a decided crowd favourite.
I would be remiss in pointing out to female performers who captivated the audience. Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine brings an ethereal quality to the role, before shifting to a darker register as her character is forced into prostitution to pay for her daughter Cosette’s upkeep. And Shan Ako as Éponine was wonderful. Her unrequited love for Marius (Jac Yarrow) was poignantly played and their scene together as she dies is one of the highpoints of the show.
I can’t rave about this production enough. The staging is immaculate, with most of the cast on stage for most of the production providing a sort of Greek chorus on a raked stage, with the orchestra and screens sitting overhead. The sound quality is top notch with the music filling Rod Laver Arena without ever getting lost. The cast is fantastic and compelling, from the adults all the way down to Little Cosette and Gavroche. And there are notes in the story that surprised even jaded old me, with this tale of redemption frequently bringing a lump to my throat.
The Les Misérables Arena Spectacular is all that and more. It is a triumph of style and substance. Melbourne is extremely lucky to have this show in town until May 25th. Get your skates on and get along to watch it – you will not forget the experience any time soon.
AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
MELBOURNE – ROD LAVER ARENA 14 MAY – 25 MAY 2025
BRISBANE – ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE 28 MAY – 1 JUNE 2025
TICKETS ON SALE NOW LESMISARENATOUR.COM.AU
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