Left - Andrew Crispe and Rebecca Raymond. Cover - Paul Talbot. Photos - Eric Sands
There is power. There is poverty. There is politics. There is
pilfering. But most of all there is passion, both in the music and the
story. Les Misérables has justifiably become one of the world’s
favourite musicals, and it is capable of lifting audiences to great
heights of emotion, and to their feet at the end of a performance such
as this.
The G & S Society has excelled itself in this splendid production.
It is an all new look at Les Mis by director and designer David
Lampard, with dramatic, and effective sets, a huge cast, a fine
orchestra at the expert hands of Ross Curtis, apposite costumes by
Bronwen Major, and some superb soloists.
The design uses the colours of the French flag in lighting, costumery
and sets to emphasise emotional content, and effectively uses curtains
flying up, down and sideways to create micro-areas for intimate scenes.
The flying in of the barricade in bits is a master stroke.
Against this finely engineered infrastructure of conception, design,
music and stagecraft, the cast take off and deliver. There is great
energy in their singing and chorus movement. Diction is clear,
particularly from the men, and the whole chorus work integrates
smoothly with that of the principals.
It is amongst the principals that some simply wonderful signing is
delivered. Rebecca Raymond is a charming Cosette, with a beautiful well
controlled voice. Rachel Rai excelled in her “On my Own”, and Andrew
Crispe brought a strong, fine voice and portrayal to the role of
Marius. Another fine tenor is Paul Talbot(Enjolras) although the
passion of the music was not always reflected in his movements. There
was a little inconsistency of pitch in Tom Millhouse’s ensemble singing
as Javert, which was entirely forgiven in his solo work.
But the undisputed star was Mark Oates as Jean Valjean. He really
comes into his own in this role, which he plays with passion,
musicality drama and clear talent. His “Bring Him Home” was an absolute
tour de force. The work is really Valjean’s story, and Mark Oates
tells it with class.
Of course there were occasional first night hiccups with the odd wig,
sound, projection and mike coordination glitches, which make amateur
theatre what it is. Nevertheless with a cast and crew of this calibre,
these will be ironed out with alacrity.
This Les Mis is a credit to all involved. As Ross Curtis writes in his
notes, if you’ve seen it before, this production will bring new
insights. If you haven’t - fasten your seat belt!
The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of SA presents Les Misérables A musical by Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg
Based on the novel by Victor Hugo
Venue: Scott Theatre Dates: May 22 to 31 Times: 22-24 May & 28-31 May at 8pm | 24 & 31 May 2pm | 25 May 5 pm Bookings: 8447 7239 or Bass on 131 246
Attended the Sunday matinee, Standing ovations from the audience. Trish Spence, you always give your best, and again nailed it. Why cant they extend it even one more night, Does anyone know why they dont as each seasons a sellout. Well done David and Ross.
I had the pleasure of being in the audience on the Sunday 5pm matinee this past weekend.
Never in my years of theatre have I see an ENTIRE audience around me on their feet during the bows. Simply amazing. Credit to Lampard, Curtis, Oates and everybody else involved. If I could get another ticket, I'd be there again.
I too was at the Sunday matinee. Well done David and cast and crew and musicians. I have seen a half dozen versions of Les Mis but never one with such passion. The scene with Eponine dying in the arms of Marius took my breath away. In my four decades of theatre going I have never witnessed such a stunningly poignant 30 seconds. Well done Andrew Crispe and Rachel Rai on a spell-binding performance. Congratulations to all for this theatrical masterpiece.
I was in the orchestra for this and was blown away by the actors for the first time in a while....and I've done afew musicals. I LOVED valjean and Gavroche - that little dude was aawesome.
Wow, Ross Curtis was right, fasten your seat belts!! I've now listened to a few recordings since and I truly believe you won't here better than Mark Oates "Bring Him Home". Passion and quality is true for the whole cast too.
Yep I had the Kleenex on standby, and while I didn't actually put them to use, I had tears selling in my eyes when Andrew Crispe sang "Empty Tables Empty Chairs". What a priviledge.
Mark Oats won an award I hear for his role in this show. Very well deserved, I say! Every since member of the cast deserved one I think. Best show ever!
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