Ramin Karimloo
Les Misérables
Imperial Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 2nd April 2014
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| Caissie Levy |
Les Misérables is a show which needs no introduction. Just when it looked like Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil's musical couldn't get any bigger, Tom Hooper's 2012 film adaptation proved a huge global hit and now, following a run in Toronto, Les Mis has returned to Broadway with a bang.
Whilst the original production continues in London's West End, a new interpretation (first seen for the 25th Anniversary UK Tour) has been staged in New York. Although the set, costumes and direction are different, nobody can take away the original magic of Les Mis. The musical’s success is fascinating - who would have thought a musical about the French revolution would become a global phenomenon?
As if Les Mis returning to Broadway wasn't exciting enough, Cameron Mackintosh has found the most incredible cast imaginable. Ramin Karimloo has been a huge theatre star for years. He made his West End debut in Les Mis, understudying Marius and Enjolras, and has now once again reprised his performance as Jean Valjean.
This new production is grittier which Karimloo really highlights during the prologue. His vocal control is unbelievable - he is superhuman. Karimloo takes the audience on every step of Jean Valjean's tremendous journey. He clearly knows the role inside out and has truly mastered how to grow and develop throughout the piece. The audience response to Karimloo's rendition of 'Bring Him Home' was quite something; you could feel the amazement beaming from the crowd.
On paper Fantine is a small role, but on stage Caissie Levy is the star of the show - is there anything she cannot do? Levy has extraordinary presence, despite appearing composed she conveys Fantine's pain and heartache. I have never heard or seen such a powerful rendition of 'I Dreamed A Dream', Levy's exquisite ability to tell a story with her ridiculous vocal talents is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. I was left with tears streaming down my face as she built up to the song's magnificent climax.
Kyle Scatliffe and the cast of Les Misérables
Levy never over-sings or holds back too much, she knows exactly what she's doing and can let go without losing control. Fantine returns during the final scene, and the moment she looked at Cosette broke my heart. Let's hope Levy is back in London gracing another West End stage very soon!
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| Nikki M. James |
Special mentions must also go to Andy Mientus and Samantha Hill who breathed so much fresh excitement into Marius and Cosette's relationship. Mientus particularly stood out, injecting passion, life, heart and energy into his portrayal of Marius. He certainly rises to the occasion and has made a spectacular Broadway debut.
Nikki M. James brings something new to her portrayal of Éponine and Kyle Scatliffe (recently seen in The Scottsboro Boys at the Young Vic) is particularly strong as Enjolras.
While some say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", it's really interesting to see a different production of such an iconic show. Neither better or worse than the original, this re-imagined interpretation of Les Mis isn't different for the sake of being different; I'm sure most people won't even notice the changes.
The excitement inside the Imperial Theatre was immense, one girl almost collapsed when her mother told her they were sitting in the front row for her birthday. It's amazing to see so much hype surrounding Les Mis all these years after it first opened in London and I doubt I'll ever see a stronger cast perform Boublil & Schönberg′s masterpiece.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
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