LES MISERABLES | SONDHEIM THEATRE, LONDON
★★★★★
“This production belongs to the irrepressible Bonnie Langford and Luke Kempner…”
After 20 years on the stage of the Sondheim Theatre, formerly the Queen’s Theatre, Les Miserables is one of a small number of legacy shows that continue to define the very being of London’s theatreland – the production originally transferred from the Barbican Centre to The Palace Theatre in 1985 and holds the record for the longest running production on the West End.
Intimate and intricately drawn, the current production is an evocative ‘picture box’ affair in which scenes are beautifully and dramatically realised by directors Laurence Connor and James Powell on Matt Kinsley’s cleverly synchronised set and image design that draws inspiration from the paintings of Victor Hugo, author of novel of the same name, on which the musical is based.
From the viscerally emotive and claustrophobic opening scene through to the devastating finale some three hours later, Les Miserables remains one of the greatest musicals of all time.
Set in early 19th-century France, Les Misérables is the story of Jean Valjean. Released from jail after serving 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread, he breaks his parole to carve a new life a new, inspired by a bishop who shows him unexpected mercy. Hunted by Javert, a police inspector vowed to bringing him to justice, Valjean finds himself entrusted with the care of the young Cosette and seeking redemption as he travels through France, ending up in Paris just as a group of idealist students attempt to overthrow the government.
In the lead role, Milan Van Waardenburg proves a robust Valjean, while Stewart Clarke’s idiosyncratic Javert makes some interesting artistic choices to bring new nuance to the character. Both deliver all the signature high points expected of them, most notably Who Am I? and Stars, with gusto and to rapturous applause.
Katie Hall’s Fantine is an engaging creation, her rendition of I Dreamed A Dream a stand out moment while Jack Yarrow proves particularly pleasing as Marius. However, if Les Miserables is the story of Jean Valjean, this production belongs to the Thenardiers, the irrepressible Bonnie Langford and Luke Kempner. It’s inspired casting and a dream double-act that never leaves the stage without the roars of the audience ringing in their ears.
Master of The House, Dog Eats Dog and Beggars At The Feast allow both to showcase their vocal and comedic prowess, filling every moment with brilliance and business. Together they are spectacular, sharing natural chemistry, nicely revealed threat and laugh out loud physicality; Langford’s Mme Thenardier is a supple, crafty busybody of a woman who even manages to do the splits at one point, while Kempner’s Thenardier is wonderfully insidious and insectile. The inventiveness of their approach is an unexpected delight.
Both Langford and Yarrow are appearing for a strictly limited West End season before joining the forthcoming Les Miserables Arena Spectacular World Tour, but while their is little doubt that London will miss them, the strong resident company, a quite faultless ensemble, will ensure that Les Miserables continues to fly the (red) flag as one of the West End’s greatest success stories and a piece of Must See Theatre.
Les Miserables West End tickets here.
Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular World Tour tickets here.
Bonnie Langford and Jack Yarrow appear until 10 August
