A musical by
Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg
Directed by
Cate Clelland. Musical Direction by
Nicholas Griffin.
Choreographed
by Michelle Heine. Set Design by Michael
Sparks.
Costume
Design by Fiona Leach. Conducted by Ian MacLean
Presented by
Free-Rain Theatre Company.
The Q,
Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre until 22nd April 2017.
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens.
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| Tony Falla (Javert), Nicole carr (Eponine), Jim Adamik (Thenardier) Janie Lawson (Madame Thenardier) and the cast of "Les Miserables. |
“Les
Miserables” is one of the great musical of the twentieth century. Not only does
it have an outstanding score by Boublil and Schonberg, it also has a cracking
story to tell, thanks to Victor Hugo, which the original director, Trevor Nunn,
translated into an incredible stage spectacle which has thrilled audiences
around the globe for decades.
For its new,
stripped back production, Free Rain Theatre have dispensed with the spectacle, opting
instead for a bare stage with two permanent set-pieces on each side. One
represents a garden gate, the other, possibly a tower, and both remain in full
view throughout, regardless of the scene being played. Neither adds much
atmosphere. Nor do the vertical red streamers which decorate black drapes at
the back.
The only
indication of changes in time and place is provided by dates projected onto the
back curtains. Tables and chairs are added for the tavern scenes, and a rather
good barricade in the second act, which provided the best scene of the night. Elsewhere,
an over-worked fog machine and spotlights were relied upon to provide
atmosphere, leaving the cast very exposed.
Unfortunately
Cate Clelland’s direction on this occasion is at best, pedestrian, with the
production giving the impression on first night of being under-prepared. Very
little emotional connection was achieved between the principal characters, with
over-wrought emoting substituting for heartfelt emotion. This was particularly
noticeable in the scenes between protagonists, Valjean and Javert, whose
exchanges are reduced to slanging matches instead of high drama. Javert’s
suicide, normally a dramatic highpoint, is indicated simply by a blackout. Most
of the ensemble numbers lack drive and
vitality. Couples in the tavern scenes resort to earnestly humping each other
in the forlorn hope of appearing salacious.
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| Jim Adamik (Thenardier), Janie Lawson (Madame Thenardier) "Master of the House" |
The costumes
are of the wardrobe-basket type, with little attention paid to period detail.
The costumes for the ballroom scene are pretty, but would look more appropriate
in a production of “Beauty and the
Beast”, except in this production the men wear short back and sides instead of
powdered wigs.
The strength
of this production is in the music, with the choruses and songs generally well
sung, especially by the principals, led by Peter Cousens as Jean Valjean. Vocal highlights during the night were
provided by Amy Dunham (Fantine) quite superb in “I Dreamed a Dream”, Nicole
Carr (Eponine) with “On My Own”, and Sam
Ward (Marius), impressive in “Empty Chairs and Empty Tables” sung on this
occasion seated on garden steps instead of in a deserted café.
 |
| Sam Ward (Marius) - "Empty Chairs and Empty Tables. |
The large
orchestra, conducted by Ian Mclean, provided confident, full bodied accompaniment
throughout with the sound design achieving excellent balance between the
singers and orchestra, allowing the lyrics to be heard clearly.
 |
| Sam Ward (Marius) Stephanie MacLaine (Cosette), Peter Cousens (Jean Valjean) "Les Miserables" finale. |
While it
should be reported that some members in the opening night audience felt
impelled to give the performance a standing ovation, it was clearly well-below
Free Rain Theatre’s own best standard set in productions of “Phantom of the
Opera” and “Mary Poppins”. Hopefully it will improve as the season progresses.
This review was first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on 7th April 2017.