Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular

Photograph above by Danny Kaan.

As the opening notes of the score reverberate through the concert hall of Sydney’s ICC, a venue generally reserved for epic grand scale concerts, a haunting magic wraps itself around each audience member like a familiar warm embrace. The music swells, carrying a tide of emotion that sweeps across the crowd in a shared experience of beauty and melancholy. With each soaring melody and powerful crescendo, time seems to pause and boundaries between stage and seats dissolve, leaving a raw energy in the air. 

Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular redefines epic storytelling on a grand arena scale and nothing can quite prepare you. It is as if the music is alive, breathing and pulsing with the vibrant, tumultuous spirit of the story—a breathtaking fusion of emotion and stunning visuals. You have seen this story, unless you are living under a rock – it has been here for 40 years and replayed countless times on stages worldwide and there is a reason it is such a powerful player in the world of theatre. 

Photographer: Danny Kaan.

Les Misérables is a powerful story; this arena production adds its newest milestone. Cameron Mackintosh continues reinventing and bringing magnificent casts, orchestras, and staging concepts together. Mackintosh dreams a bigger dream each time, elevating Victor Hugo's timeless story to new levels and bringing it to life in the grandest fashion.

The orchestra's performance is expert, providing a rich and dynamic backdrop. Their interpretation of Claude-Michel Schönberg's score elevates the production to its highest potential and the simplicity of having performers stand and deliver with more connection to the audience instead of each other is great for us but must be a challenge as a performer, but they nail the brief. Sixty-five cast members, most seated on stage in a rustic barricade, come and go and change costumes yet always seem present on those steps. There are a lot of performers on the stage and they move seamlessly. 

Alfie Boe delivers an electrifying performance as Jean Valjean, sharing the character's journey of redemption. He is skilled in the performance, his powerful voice and emotional portrayal hook us from start to finish, and by the time he gets to "Bring Him Home", all are on edge with anticipation; it is an unforgettable highlight and the audience spontaneously leap to their feet in appreciation. As a trained opera singer Boe has a knockout vocal agility, and he gives us everything. 

Image: Alfie Boe. Photographer: Danny Kaan

Michael Ball's Inspector Javert is commanding. The unwavering commitment to justice is evident, and Ball eventually lets Javert’s internal conflict through in a dramatic and compelling performance. With a stunning vocal prowess, Ball’s rendition of “stars” is beautifully accompanied by lighting dotted above, making the roof twinkle. Interestingly Ball played Marius in the original London production. 

Image: Michael Ball. Photographer: Danny Kaan

Rachelle Ann Go's portrayal of Fantine is hauntingly beautiful. Her stunning rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" is soul-stirring, capturing a tragic life with emotional vulnerability and a voice that stirs the soul. Go is soft and fragile yet fierce. She broke my heart over and over. 

Image: Rachelle Ann Go. Photographer: Daniel Boud

Matt Lucas perfectly blends comic relief and sinister cunning as Thénardier. His timing and delivery are impeccable, bringing humour and a touch of malevolence to the character while engaging the audience with charm and wit. Helen Walsh complimented Matt Lucas perfectly as Madame Thénardier, offering a wickedly funny and delightfully devious performance. Marina Prior, who was unfortunately ill on opening night, will play this role in future shows. 

Image: Matt Lucas as Thénardier. Photo by Danny Kaan.

Jac Yarrow is Marius, youthful passionate and idealistic - he is  vivid and relatable, later drawing the audience into his heartache, loss, and courage" Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" is gut wrenching. It is always a song that haunts me with its themes of loss, grief, survivor's guilt, and the enduring impact of a failed revolution. Opposite Yarrow is Beatrice Penny-Touré, who brings grace and innocence to Cosette, the little girl lost, finding love and family security. 

Image: Beatrice Penny-Touré. Photographer Danny Kaan

James D. Gish is a force as Enjolras, with charisma and unwavering leadership. His commanding voice and passionate delivery invigorate the revolutionary spirit within the audience, making it impossible not to be swept up in his fervour. Some battles are played out on the screen, and some have startling sound and lighting effects that made my heart stop. 

Image: Shan Ako. Photographer: Daniel Boud.

Alexandra Szewcow's Little Cosette is endearing and charming. "Castle on a Cloud" is tender and touching, while the other young performer in tonight’s cast, Sebastian Sero, is a vibrant Gavroche. He is spirited, and his cheeky confidence brightens the stage, capturing the heart of this beloved character.    

After a show-stopping finale and thunderous applause, Mackintosh had one final surprise for opening night, with Les Misérables alumni taking to the stage for an encore. In attendance were Normie Rowe (the original Valjean in the 1987 production), Philip Quast (Javert in the original 1987 Australian cast and the legendary 10th Anniversary Concert in London), William Zappa (Thénardier in the 1987 production), Lara Mulcahy (Madame Thénardier in the 1997 and 2014 production), David Campbell (Marius in the 10th Anniversary production in 1995), Simon Burke (Marius in the original 1987 production), Scott Irwin (Enjolras in the 10th Anniversary cast in 1995) and Nikki Webster (Little Cosette in the 1997 production).

Photographer: Danny Kaan.

Les Misérables is a triumphant celebration of its legacy, with its world-class performances, stunning visuals, and score that never fails to stir the soul. The 40th-anniversary celebration at Sydney’s ICC in an awe-inspiring arena setting amplifies every emotion laid bare. Happy 40th Lez Miz, you do rock. 

Nicole Smith