Tres Miserables

I was frustrated to miss this show at the Comedy Festival and pleased to find it repeated here. It did not disappoint.

If you were looking for an abbreviated version of “Les Mis” to make it easier to follow the plot, you were in the wrong place! This was a delightful romp based loosely on the original, taking every chance to poke fun at current targets.

Looking at reviews from the Comedy Festival earlier this year, many of the issues included then have been replaced by more current ones. When the priest comes to welcome Valjean to his home the discussion turns to Royal Commissions.

Costume and scene changes are minimal to allow the action to flow. There is one hilarious scene where two performers play three characters, constantly switching positions on stage. There was some lively interaction with a woman in the front row, always a dangerous place to sit at the Fringe.

Alice Tovey has a very good Broadway Belt voice with a more than acceptable soprano up top, though she obviously felt uncomfortable up there as her face would glaze over whenever she had to sing high notes. Her acting was strong.

Sam Garlepp, the writer, who sang the baritone roles, and others, had an untrained voice but carried it with his strong acting. Tenor Lachie McKenzie was similarly untrained but worked well with the others.

This show was a real hoot, particularly for “Les Mis” aficionados, though others would still enjoy it. However, it is the unexpected variations on the songs which is the highlight.

Not to be missed.

Graham Ford.