Manila gets a masterfully cast ‘Les Miz’
The question raised itself when news came that a touring company of “Les Miserables” from London would be back at The Theatre in Solaire this January. Again? Why?
Why indeed! “Les Miz” was already at Solaire only 10 years ago with our very own Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine.
Aside from that, Pinoy fans of musicals had most likely already seen the show not just once but several times over. In London at the West End. Or on Broadway, Los Angeles, Toronto, Hong Kong, Singapore and other places it has visited.
Then note that this edition is not the complete musical. This “Les Miz” is a concert style presentation. No changing sets. No dialogue. Minimal costume changes. Some scenes will not be performed. The actors will just face the audience and sing. So why bother?
I asked. Why indeed again? And I came out so wrong. A lot of people took on the bother and rushed to get tickets. No way were they going to deprive themselves of the chance to watch one of the greatest musicals ever created. As a result, those who took a long time deciding, were left with the bad, expensive seats or none at all.
Worse, after the show opened, they found themselves envious of those who got to watch and who were raving about their fantastic experience at “Les Miserables: the World Tour Spectacular.”
Why so?
First, the production is more intimate. Being in concert gives the audience the chance to concentrate on the music by Alain Boublil and Claude Michel Schonberg, which I must say remains absolutely gorgeous after 40 years.
Not to forget the lyrics by Hebert Kretzmer. He translated the original French “Les Miz” into English and what a superb job he did. If not for him, we would have been watching “Les Miz,” blank-faced, brains jumbled, trying to make out what the French lyrics were saying.
Of course the actors, all of them had the expressive vocals that match the sounds emanating from the wonderful orchestra.
It was also nice that the show was mounted with those who are unfamiliar with “Les Miz” in mind. Have no fear if you have never seen the musical or the movie or read the great novel by Victor Hugo. You will not feel lost at all. The story-telling comes across as very clear.
Scene lapses are indicated through visual renderings on the wall above the set and through the clever use of blocking and lighting on stage. No death scenes for Fantine or Gavroche? A single white spotlight breaks the sad news that a character has crossed over.
And what about the cast? Over the years, I have witnessed how shows produced by Cameron MacKintosh always have the best performers. And although this “Les Miz” is in concert, the actors are masterfully cast. In fact, I believe that extra effort was made to make this company for Manila extra special.
Geronimo Rauch as Jean Valjean. Jeremy Seacomb as Javert. Earl Carpenter as the Bishop of Digne. Will Callan as Marius. Lulu-Mae Pears as Cosette. Will Chandler as Enjolras. And deserving mention, that young actor who plays Gavroche who held his own among the adults.
And then there are the Filipinos. They are the reasons why, while your head is doing LSS with Do You Hear the People Sing after the show, you are also walking out full of pride over that outstanding display of native talent.
Lea Salonga diving into comedy with remarkable ease as the cantankerous Madame Thenardier. Red Concepcion who is excellent as her slimy husband. Rachelle Ann Go, singing even better than before as Fantine. And for the first time, such an amazing discovery, Emily Bautista as Eponine.
Someday, hopefully soon, there might come a Pinoy Jean Valjean or Javert. For now though, this “Les Miz” offers more than enough.
So off you go: “Do you hear the people sing/ singing a song of angry men…” If you try hard enough, you can still catch “Les Miz” at Solaire.
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