The only reason I decided to go buy tickets to watch the play Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theater was because of the posters around the tube station which talked about the 25th year anniversary of this show in the West End as well as promoting the three different versions in London that were showing at the same time, and one of them with the special appearance of Nick Jonas from the Jonas Brother. However, because of traveling conflicts, I missed the show with Nick Jonas’ performance. However, that did not stop me from buying tickets for this so talk about production. I purchased tickets with no idea of what the show was about. All I knew from a friend was that the music performances of the show were stunning and it really was. This play is based on Victor Hugo’s novel with the same name at adapted for stage in 1980. It portrays the life of Jean Valjean, when he is released from a French prison after serving nineteen years from stealing a loaf of bread and how he ends up becoming a rich man, who hides his true identity and his journey throughout his life. The play tells about the everyday life with different characters that go through tension, romance and tragedy. It also tells the story of aristocrats, middle class, the lower, the homeless and the themes during the 1832 revolution.
One of the best things about “Le Mis” was its music and songs. The characters had one big number after another. The orchestra was the best. Each song adequately portrayed the thoughts and emotions that each character was supposed to feel. The most amazing performance of the night was the one from the actress who play Eponine. It was so stunning to hear her sing. She stands out beautifully among the other performers. She, singing the song “On my Own,” made the song and her actuation as my favorite performer of the evening. What I really truly love about this show is that despite it has a huge cast of actors, many of them are giving the chance to shine on stage and even the minor characters are able to sing different numbers. The audience can easily tell that every performer in the play is really talented. The lightening, scene changes and the visuals were fantastic for the story. It was so well design that made me feel I was behind the scene during their fight scene in the French revolution. The costumes were amazingly done, the hair and the makeup where done so well and in so quickly that the time transition during the play was not a conflict for the audience to see.
Overall, the play “Les Miserables” was outstanding from the start all the way to the end. It has a very sad storyline but with surprising laughs along the way. I honestly think that this production can actually change people’s mind about social classes and war. There are so many intense and dramatic storylines going on simultaneously. However, this show can make a person laugh, cry and sing in the same evening! The song “On my Own” has been stuck in my head and on replay on my itouch since then. This was a truly and stunning production! No wonder this play has been running in the West End for more the 25 years and has being able to run three sold out performances in one day!
Maria Lee Li
UC Irvine
mleeli@uci.edu
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