Captivating and Raw: Review of Les Misérables at Wales Millennium Centre

Last night Zoey and I attended the wonderful press night for Les Misérables at Wales Millennium Centre. We couldn’t wait to see this performance on stage, having only ever seen (half of) the film! Read on to see how extraordinary this performance is…

Review: Les Misérables at Wales Millennium Centre

Les Misérables is a heartbreaking story of forgiveness, repentance and love. With several stories flowing in and out of each other, we get to see life, love and death, with beautiful lyrics and music at its core.

Our first comment has to be about the set, stage and costume. All I can say is, I sat there in complete awe. The stage has been built with so much creativity and heart, from the battle scene which created such stunning imagery, to bringing the tunnel scene to life with clever filmography and staging.

The costumes were rich and enchanting, offering light and dark throughout the performance. Each costume looked intricately made, with layers and colours overflowing from scene to scene. The visuals of this performance were completely inspiring, reminding me of childhood moments wandering around art galleries, my eyes open in awe. The war scene in particular evoked memories of Rembrandt flowing through my mind, I felt propelled into the world of Les Misérables.

When it comes to the music and lyrics, my heart still swells with emotion. The ebb and flow of the production keeps you on the roller coaster that is Les Misérables. One scene would break your heart, then humour would burst upon the stage, giving you light relief, even if for just a moment. I absolutely love all-singing performances (blame the musicals my mother brought me up on!), so this was completely up my street. The lyrics are clever, quirky and, at times, utterly heartbreaking.

From the upbeat yet dark ‘Lovely Lady’ to the heartbreaking ‘I Dreamed A Dream’, the songs were quite simply outstanding. There’s also the beautiful rendition of ‘Bring Him Home’, as well as the humorous ‘Master Of The House’. These songs will stay with us forever…

When it comes to performances, I’m not sure where to start. I’m a very honest reviewer, and so I’ll start by saying that the production was utterly faultless. The performances were all outstanding, but for me, Dean Chisnall (Jean Valjean) made my heart weep. His character as a whole is one of a man constantly on the edge of life, and I think Chisnall embodies this character perfectly. His sheer passion and dedication upon the stage was mesmerising, and he grew old throughout the production with such clever acting and prominent stage presence. Each time he entered the stage I felt goosebumps, his performance of a man who wrestles with his conscience, yet sets a precedent for decency and honesty throughout. He reminds me very much of a musical Hamlet, and for this alone I adore Jean Valjean.

As for Fantine (Katie Hall), well what can I say?! My heart broke as her story unfolded, the darkness of her life chipping away at her until there is nothing left. As she sang to her daughter, I felt the tears fall. Her performance was gentle, her voice powerful and fragile all at once, and as I watched her say goodbye, I was reminded of my love for my own children.

When it comes to light relief, Master and Madame Thenardier were there in abundance. Ian Hughes and Helen Walsh were outstanding as the cruel thieves who abuse and taunt Cosette (Fontane’s daughter). Despite their vile natures, they were hilarious upon stage, capturing the audience with their witty, humorous exchanges.

We also thought Cosette (Charlie Burn), who offered a delicate element to the performance. We also loved Marius (Felix Mosse), who performed the kind, compassionate character with ease. I particularly loved his version of ‘Empty Chairs At Empty Tables’ (yes, I cried again here!). Zoey and I both adored Éponine (Frances Mayli MccCann), and her final scenes also broke our hearts. I also wanted to point of the importance of Javert within the production; a man intent on hunting down Jean Valjean, yet his morals and his conscience are challenged, creating this very lost and suicidal soul. His final scene was harrowing, yet visually stunning, and his journey is just as important as the other characters.

The choreography, harmonies, and the overall vibe from the cast was unbelievable. I have goosebumps just thinking about it!

If I could say only one thing about Les Misérables at Wales Millennium Centre, it would be how thoughtfully the production as been constructed. Every element offers a deep look at the characters and their lives, with rich textures and stunning music from the unbelievably talented orchestra and cast. I left the theatre wanting to hold my children dear, to tell them how much I love them, and to always remember the importance of truth, forgiveness, and most importantly, love.

You can see this extraordinary performance until 4th January, so book now to see this life changing performance.