Post by encoretheatre on Mar 18, 2010 15:30:02 GMT 11
ANOTHER GLOWING REVIEW published this week in the Northeast Advertiser
Nearly a thousand cheering patrons at Launceston’s Princess Theatre on Friday leapt to their feet in spontaneous applause after the rousing finale from the Encore Theatre Company’s production of Les Misérables, the world’s most successful musical. It was an opening night to remember, for more reasons than one! During the first attempt at the finale, a flashing red alarm above the stage alerted staff to the need to evacuate the building! Indicative of the theatre’s professionalism, within seconds fire marshalls donned their red hats and directed patrons in a calm and orderly way to exits. In the laneway, the cast put into practice the old adage that the show must go on with a spontaneous rendition to the loud approval of the gathering crowd! After about 20 minutes they were able to return to the theatre to finish the job properly, and patrons who stayed packed into the downstairs section to give them several well-deserved standing ovations.
I have to confess that I hate musicals. But I love Les Misérables! With or without fire alarms! The musical score, the lyrics, and above all the great story have thrilled theatre goers round the world for 25 years now. The musical captures the essence of Hugo’s novel brilliantly despite condensing 1200 pages into under three hours. Not only a ‘ripping yarn,’ it addresses the big issues of love, hope, despair, sacrifice, compassion and faith, through the struggles of ordinary people we can relate to. The main theme of Grace and Mercy versus Law and Punishment comes through strongly in the conflict between the protagonists, ex-convict Jean Valjean and police inspector Javert.
The historical setting is the seething streets of Paris in the unrest of the misguided and abortive student uprisings of 1832. Les Misérables graphically portrays the futile tragedy of these real life events in the lives of its fictional characters. The story begins years before with the parole of Jean Valjean, who finds himself rejected unfairly by society. Through an act of grace and mercy by the godly bishop of Digne, he changes his life and disappears to assume a new identity, becoming a successful businessman and well-loved mayor who is a blessing to many. His nemesis Javert, however, pursues him down through the years as a parole breaker. With him there are no second chances or fresh starts, but “those who fall must pay the price.” The dialogue between these two is brilliant, especially when sung in counterpoint. Add the heady mix of red revolution, the romance of Cosette and Marius, the tragic devotion of Eponine, and the witty repartee the Fagin-like Thenardier, and it is a winning combination. For a synopsis of the plot, see the Wikipedia article at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Misérables.
The all-Tasmanian cast and crew were brilliant. John de Jong as Jean Valjean and Dean Cocker as Javert put in masterful performances. Ross Marsden and Belinda King delighted and repelled as the Thenardiers. Of special interest to us in the Northeast is the engaging performance of Nikia Cornish Breen, a student at Winnaleah High who plays the young Cosette. Her singing and acting were wonderful and her parents and school must be very proud.
Though the performers were all exceptional, there were some minor technical problems. During the loud ensemble numbers the orchestra sometimes overpowered the singers and the words were hard to make out. It didn’t detract from the overall performance, but sound production could be improved. Sets, props and costumes were marvellous. A provincial theatre can’t compete with Sydney, London or Broadway, with their massive hydraulic sets. But what the crew achieved with such a small stage and limited resources was exceptional. All in all it is an experience not to be missed if you can get tickets to the remaining performances.
Les Misérables is on until next Saturday at the Princess Theatre in Brisbane St. Bookings 6323 3666.
Review by Greg Munro
Nearly a thousand cheering patrons at Launceston’s Princess Theatre on Friday leapt to their feet in spontaneous applause after the rousing finale from the Encore Theatre Company’s production of Les Misérables, the world’s most successful musical. It was an opening night to remember, for more reasons than one! During the first attempt at the finale, a flashing red alarm above the stage alerted staff to the need to evacuate the building! Indicative of the theatre’s professionalism, within seconds fire marshalls donned their red hats and directed patrons in a calm and orderly way to exits. In the laneway, the cast put into practice the old adage that the show must go on with a spontaneous rendition to the loud approval of the gathering crowd! After about 20 minutes they were able to return to the theatre to finish the job properly, and patrons who stayed packed into the downstairs section to give them several well-deserved standing ovations.
I have to confess that I hate musicals. But I love Les Misérables! With or without fire alarms! The musical score, the lyrics, and above all the great story have thrilled theatre goers round the world for 25 years now. The musical captures the essence of Hugo’s novel brilliantly despite condensing 1200 pages into under three hours. Not only a ‘ripping yarn,’ it addresses the big issues of love, hope, despair, sacrifice, compassion and faith, through the struggles of ordinary people we can relate to. The main theme of Grace and Mercy versus Law and Punishment comes through strongly in the conflict between the protagonists, ex-convict Jean Valjean and police inspector Javert.
The historical setting is the seething streets of Paris in the unrest of the misguided and abortive student uprisings of 1832. Les Misérables graphically portrays the futile tragedy of these real life events in the lives of its fictional characters. The story begins years before with the parole of Jean Valjean, who finds himself rejected unfairly by society. Through an act of grace and mercy by the godly bishop of Digne, he changes his life and disappears to assume a new identity, becoming a successful businessman and well-loved mayor who is a blessing to many. His nemesis Javert, however, pursues him down through the years as a parole breaker. With him there are no second chances or fresh starts, but “those who fall must pay the price.” The dialogue between these two is brilliant, especially when sung in counterpoint. Add the heady mix of red revolution, the romance of Cosette and Marius, the tragic devotion of Eponine, and the witty repartee the Fagin-like Thenardier, and it is a winning combination. For a synopsis of the plot, see the Wikipedia article at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Misérables.
The all-Tasmanian cast and crew were brilliant. John de Jong as Jean Valjean and Dean Cocker as Javert put in masterful performances. Ross Marsden and Belinda King delighted and repelled as the Thenardiers. Of special interest to us in the Northeast is the engaging performance of Nikia Cornish Breen, a student at Winnaleah High who plays the young Cosette. Her singing and acting were wonderful and her parents and school must be very proud.
Though the performers were all exceptional, there were some minor technical problems. During the loud ensemble numbers the orchestra sometimes overpowered the singers and the words were hard to make out. It didn’t detract from the overall performance, but sound production could be improved. Sets, props and costumes were marvellous. A provincial theatre can’t compete with Sydney, London or Broadway, with their massive hydraulic sets. But what the crew achieved with such a small stage and limited resources was exceptional. All in all it is an experience not to be missed if you can get tickets to the remaining performances.
Les Misérables is on until next Saturday at the Princess Theatre in Brisbane St. Bookings 6323 3666.
Review by Greg Munro
