Despite technical difficulties (had a bit of trouble with the set right before the wedding scene. The show was stopped for five minutes) at Thursday’s production, the 25th Anniversary production of Les Miserables was absolutely amazing. The entire musical has been restaged, and even has some costume changes (take for example, Cosette’s costume, which is dark blue/black in the production we’re familiar with, while it is a lighter colour (and poofier!) here. Also, Mme. Thernardier’s dress for the wedding is purple and fuscia…at least it “goes” while her multi-coloured one clashes. Regardless, both dresses are major fashion disasters). The sets are, according to the website and program, inspired by Victor Hugo’s artwork.
Trailer of the 25th Anniversary Production
I have seen the show seven times over the past 17 years (the first time I saw it was in 1993) in three cities, all with the original staging consisting of a rotating stage. This was the first production without one, which I think is less effective for the barricade scenes, especially after the deaths of the students when the orchestra plays an instrumental version of “Bring Him Home.” ANother nitpick I have is the fact that some of the songs have been cut. However, this was something which was done back in 2001, which included one verse of “Come to Me” (Fantine’s Death) and “Castle on a Cloud” (the part where Young Cosette sings “there is a room that’s full of toys….” is no longer in the show) Staging for the factory scene is also different. Rather than taking place by the gates, the scene is in an actual work room.
The new scenery, which are projections consisting of Hugo’s paintings, sometimes combined with 19th century photography, do make things stand out more than the “standard” production (which, by the way, is also playing. Other than movies, this is probably the only time where two productions of the same musical are running at the same time). Since Hugo did not use much colour in his work, and instead employed blacks, greys and whites, the scenery certainly brought out the dark and coldness of the musical.
This new 25th anniversary production, which plays at the Barbicon Theatre (where everything began 25 years ago) until October 2, is part of a cross-UK tour. Other touring productions of this very production will be opening across the world over the next few years. Whether this production will replace the original production, however, remains to be seen. There will also be a concert featuring well-known Les Miz alum, including Lea Salonga (who will be singing Fantine this time).
Check out some of Victor Hugo’s art work here
