Les Misérables in Concert

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 have seen the musical live twice and I am still spellbound by how powerful this concert is on video. Phillip Quast is just fantastic - especially when he sings his final song before he dies. There is such force and passion in his voice. The other thing that makes this video performance memorable is that you get to see the reactions from the cast members towards each other's numbers; it's great to see THEM enjoying the show so much.I just wish I could have been there!

This is the ultimate Les Miz. Truly a dream cast when you have Colm Wilkinson, Philip Quast, Michael Ball, and the rest of the performers on one stage at the same time. I don't know what some people were talking about when they said that Lea's performance was too "bitter". Lea performed "On My Own" straight from the heart. If she sounded bitter when the song began, it's because the lyrics needed to sound that way. When she got close to the middle, her voice became gentle because her character, Eponine, is dreaming of Marius. When the words turned to realization at the bridge, her voice became strong with a sense of regret. And I love the way she pants when the song is close to ending, we get the sense of Eponine's hopelessness. Let the crowd judge since three of her four performances all had ovations. One more standout scene was her death which made lots of Eponine fans cry. The fact that she was chosen as the definitive character despite of her ethnicity is undeniable. If she had the chance of originating the role, other performers like Frances Ruffelle would get lots of criticism for not measuring up. I recommend the video to anyone just to see Lea's scenes and lots of others like: the face/off songs of Valjean and Javert, the "One Day More" finales, and the very funny "Master of the House". Do you hear the people sing?

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!

I never thought I would like Broadway music. I was kind of iffy when I got the International Cast's Highlights for Christmas. I only listened to a few songs. Then I got interested, and saw the 10th anniversary concert on PBS. I was spellbound. Since then I have adored Broadway, but this one has always been and will always be my favorite. I am not drawn to any other musical the way I am to this story of justice, duty, love, redemption, and revolution. If you are a fan of Hugo's book, see it, if you are a fan of Broadway, see it, if you want to see a powerful story in song, see it.