Les Misérables in Concert

Although many may pass this video by, based on the fact that it is not as visually appealing, they are missing out. The music stands alone, and is the star of this concert-version of the beloved stage musical. It is dubbed "The Dream Cast", and becomes evident why, the moment the magnificent Colm Wilkinson opens his mouth to draw us in to the emotional story. Backed by a enormous chorus, and the London Symphony orchestra; the cast artfully weaves its way through the drama of the French Revolution, and the underlying tale of pure love. Scenery and elaborate sets are not needed, as the cast flesh out their characters with wonderful facial expressions and the same costumes that are worn in the theater version. If you have not yet seen 'Les Miseables' on stage, you are indeed missing out on a wonderful theatrical experience. This video is the next closest thing to experiencing that magic firsthand. Highly recommended!

What can I say that hasn't been said already. This concert performance of Les Miserables is simply superb and one of my personal favourite performances of any musical to date. The story and characters are vivid and the music is magnificent and one of those musicals where there isn't a single bad tune, Stars, Bring Him Home, On My Own and Empty Chairs and Empty Tables always had the most impact on me.

The performance is shot excellently, and while not the most visually appealing of all Les Miserables the settings and costuming are appropriate. The orchestral playing and conducting are superb too, and the performances are faultless. Michael Maguire and Judy Kuhn mayn't be completely ideal age-wise but I can forgive that when I hear how well they act and sing.

Michael Ball's Empty Chairs and Empty Tables is heart-wrenching, Lea Salonga is a lovely Eponine(though I couldn't help thinking that Kuhn would have been better suited while Salonga sang Cosette, but it doesn't hurt the performance at all) and Alun Armstrong is perfectly cast and very funny. Colm Wilkisnon is an expressive and dynamic Valjean, complete with a very moving rendition of Bring Him Home. Phillip Quast is superb as Javert, conveying his harshness as well as making him a sympathetic figure. Stars is also a contender for the best rendition of the performance, it was very commanding and magnificently sung.

Overall, a superb Les Miserables. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I'm not sure what to say. This musical rocked. I usually detest musicals with a vengeance, but this is just different...since I finished watching it for the first time about a week ago, I have never stopped watching it again and again (thanks to the good old VCD, I don't need to pay any ticket fees). For some reason, I find the first 40 minutes rather slow and boring, but not enough to drag my opinion of this down. Honestly, anyone who thinks this is a stinker just doesn't understand this. It's just...brilliant.

The emotions evoked by the second act are simply overwhelming. The spirit of love and camaraderie until death are portrayed so brilliantly and effectively. Absolutely a must-see for any die-hard intellectual movie viewer.

...is the only word I can think of here.

Since hearing the Les Mis soundtrack a few months ago, I have been a die hard fan. Unable yet to see the show, I saw this in a shop and decided to buy it.

How glad I am that I did. This is amazing. All the cast are fabulous, especially Ruthie Henshall, Lea Salonga, Michael Maguire, Michael Ball and Phillip Quast. I wasn't as impressed by Judy Kuhn (I may be biased as I despise the character of Cosette) but she still gives a fantastic performance.

A word of warning though: bring out the tissues, and don't wear mascara during 'A Little Fall Of Rain' 10/10

Seeing Les Miz on stage is a breathtaking experience, as it really has the atmosphere, the heart, the energy and the songs to do justice to Victor Hugo's great French novel. So it was no surprise that the Tenth Anniversary Concert really worked - it assembled perhaps the best group of singers (Colm Wilkinson, who created the role of Valjean; Philip Quast, Javert in Australia and on the UK tour (fabulous); Ruthie Henshall as a brittle Fantine; Lea Salonga as Eponine; Michael Ball recreating his role as Marius (and few people can sing Empty Chairs and Empty Tables as well as he does); and from the US, Judy Kuhn as Cosette).

I don't feel that we have been cheated out of a full film version; and in fact I hope they don't attempt it. This semi-dramatised concert does the job and keeps this fantastic musical on record for future generations. Roll on the 20th anniversary, and long may the production run in its London home, where the giant Cosette has become a landmark for tourists getting lost on Piccadilly!