Les Miserables Theatre Breaks

I have seen Les Miserables many many times..I am on first name terms with the box office! Les Miserables is a wonderful show that becomes part of your soul.. if you love it..you REALLY love it with a passion!For those who dont know the story...it is about a convict called Jean Valjean who`s only crime was to steal a loaf of bread ..for this(and for trying to escape!) he served 19 years hard labour and on release is pursued by Inspector Javert..an unforgiving man with a mission to put JVJ back behind bars! JVJ becomes mayor and rescues a child who he brings up as his own child..and I wont say any more! I have seen many cast changes and will share some of my favourites!I was absolutely in awe of Ramin Karimloo as the main character Jean Valjean..he portrayed the role in a totally different way than I have ever seen before and was so moving..even though I have seen the show countless times his performance had me in tears of apprectiation! He has such stage presence and charisma.Samantha Barks was an incredible Eponine and played the role in London and at the 02 25th anniversary ( and now has been cast in the film version !!) Well deserved as she really makes the part her own.Norm Lewis was the best Javert I have ever seen - so menacing and totally in character!The shhow also includes a little comedy with The Thenardiers ( an inn keeper and his wife) they have some wonderful scenes that will give you a giggle!The show is currently in The Queens Theatre-having sat in many seats in this theatre I would say that the show looks very different from the stalls to the dress circle(have never sat in the balcony) I think I enjoy the show more from the Dress Circle as you can see everything that is going on on stage- the stage revolves during the show and there is a barricade scene that is seen in much more detail from the Dress Circle. The stalls ,however, do give you an intimate view of the show..so if you particularly want to see a certain person then maybe the stalls would be best.I was lucky enough to be at the VIP screening of the 25th Anniversary and I can honestly say it was one of the highlights of my life! To mingle with not only the show performers...but Cameron Mackintosh and also the writer of the music and lyrics was an incredible experience!If you only have the money for one show...then this has to top of the list!

I saw this 20 odd years ago when (fellow-drama school student) Simon Bowman was playing Marius and now he's the main man singing his heart out as Jean Valjean. And what a richly beautiful singing voice it is too!
Equally, gobsmackingly brilliant is the superb bass baritone vocals of Hans-Peter Janssens (Javert) moving me to tears with the soaring power of "Stars".
Obviously over the years, bits have been added on and taken away to keep the production fresh. Some of the additions weren't, in my opinion, entirely necessary and made the first half extremely long - especially for my 8 year old son who got the wriggles between "Stars" and "One Day More".
However, he was extremely pleased that Epinine showed a good splattering of blood across her chest in the 2nd half and that Enjolras had the obligatory musket wound at the end of the Baricade scene.
A favourite with both my children was, of course, Gavroche, who sported an uncanny likeness to a colleague's 12 yr old son which made him all the more apealling. My son even gave him a standing ovation when he came to take his bow.
In summary, after 25 glorious years this show still has the WOW factor
and I would highly recommend it to all theatre lovers and even those who are taking the first steps into the exillerating world of musicals. You can not go wrong with Les Miserables. 5 stars!