I was not surprised when the applause rang out at the Hull New Theatre on Friday evening for the spectacular that is Les Misérables.
What did surprise me, however, was that the applause from the audience in the jam-packed theatre started before the show had even begun after a disembodied voice reminded us to turn off our phones and enjoy the show.
Let me start my review by showing my appreciation for the amazing stage setting which brought to life the uprising by the poor of Paris, in 1832.
Marvellous costumes, dramatic lighting, sounds and rousing music from talented musicians conducted by Ben Ferguson, all helped to create a production that took my breath away.
But all the above would be nothing without actors who, to a man, woman and child (or children in this case, stars of the future each one) brought such energy to the production, as well as having wonderfully tuneful, loud and crystal-clear singing voices.
The story centres around ex-convict Jean Valjean (Will Barratt), who, breaks his parole and starts a new life, becoming a factory owner with the proceeds of stolen silverware.
One of Valjean’s workers, Fantine (Rachelle Ann Go) has an illegitimate child, Cosette (Simone Massamha).
Poverty does for Fantine, leading to Valjean making the girl his responsibility after paying off the cruel Madame and Monsieur Thénardier (Helen Walsh and Ian Hughes), with whom she has been staying.
The Thénardier’s have two children – Eponine (Felicity Morely as the young girl and Nathania Ong as the grown-up) and Gavroche (Noah Walton), but I won’t reveal their fates.
Eponine is in love with a student, Marius (Will Callan), who in turn falls for the grown-up Cosette (Paige Blankson).
Meanwhile, police inspector Javert (Nic Greenshields) has never given up hope of recapturing Valjean, but often fails to recognise the ex-con in his new, respectable guise. He does, eventually, though and it ain’t a happy ending for one of them.
In fact, this story is so well-known I won’t be spoiling anyone’s enjoyment by revealing happy endings are few and far between. But the events that lead to these not-so-happy endings are brought to life by a super-talented cast in the most perfect production I think I’ve ever had the pleasure to watch.
All writer Victor Hugo’s characters’ lives are cleverly intertwined. There is tragedy, but also comedy – the main laughter-makers being Walsh and Hughes, as the Thénardiers.
Barratt as Valjean exudes gravitas by the bucketload, as well as having a singing voice to die for.
That also goes for Greenshields’ menacing Javert.
Go perfectly portrays the fragility of Fantine; Ong’s Eponine is spirited and gutsy, yet broken, while Blankson’s Cosette effortlessly shows the sweetness of a sheltered young lady.
Callan brought just the right amount of angst to his lovelorn Marius and young Walton as Gavroche proved as at home on the stage as any experienced trouper. The other children on the night, Morely and Massamha, also showed talents way beyond their years.
It was firebrand Enjolras (Samuel Wynn-Morris) who instigated the uprising amid the most dramatic stage setting – so dramatic, I heard a lady sobbing behind me. I kid you not.
All the above, plus an energetic ensemble and rousing melodies such as Do You Hear The People Sing?, One Day More, I Dreamed A Dream and Bring Him Home, sung beautifully, elicited a prolonged standing ovation from theatregoers who couldn’t have asked for more from a production.
Running until Saturday, July 9th, 2022, 7.30pm nightly, plus 2.30pm matinees every Thursday and Saturday. No Sunday performances. Tickets from £27. Call (01482) 300306 or visit www.hulltheatres.co,uk
Reviewer: Jackie Foottit
Reviewed: 17th June 2022
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★★