Les Miserables- Rockingham

REVIEW: Les Miserables

( Director: Eileen Frith; Musical Director: Irene Jones)

Here is my review of the Rockingham Theatre company's production of Les Miserables, I apologize for taking so long to post it.

Well despite my doubts about how such a huge production like Boubil and Shonberg's Les Miserables could be pulled off by this theatre company in their small theatre location, I say personally that they handled it quite well with imagnative use of staging and sets despite their limitations in such a small location. I was impressed with this area and I felt that it couldn't have been done better as I was more concerned than anything with how the music would be portrayed in this production.

I have to say first in regards to the cast, it was one of those productions where the chorus sounded, or the entire cast together with the choir on the side,sounded richer and better than individual cast members or small vocal ensembles etc. When the entire cast sung together my eyes lit up, it was only when some cast members sang individually did my doubts return to how an amateur company could pull such a production off.

In fact, there were cast members within the chorus who outshone the key players vocally including a woman who played one of the prostitues in the chorus ( I think most of us know who I'm talking about) The main thing I want to say about the cast is that a lot of them were simply too young to play certain roles. It is my opinion ( and not everybody's)that to be able to play a certain role, you have to have partly a life's understanding of that role, a crucial example was casting a 14 year old (understudy: Emily Green) in the role of Eponine. How is a 14 year old able to understand a mature kind of love, affection and emotion, which the character Eponine portrays in the production? And this is crucial in most of the numbers she sings including the unforgettable" On My Own", probably( and I say probably) one of the most popular pieces in the show.

Here's my review of some of the key players:


Jean Valjean (played by Patrick Kilcoyne)

He had great acting abiltity and I could see that he really felt for the character, in some parts you could see he became the character. Yes, he also looked the part, not too young or old to my mind. But in some numbers, he lacked the courageous , yet humble vocal abilities required for this character. And you want to hear a satisfying portayal of Jean Valjean because you'll be hearing from him throughout most of the production. Vocal ability was evident in some parts and one could see with some or more training, that Patrick has potential. He carried nice classical sound, with a sweet vibrato at times, but he absolutely crucified numbers such as "One day more" and "Bring him home". Who knows, maybe he was just having a bad night.


Javert (played by Ross Cutten)

When Ross walked onto the stage in his first number I simply thought maybe he was cast a tad too old- but he proved me wrong. There was a certain sternness about him that seemed quite fit for the role of Javert, and he proved to mellow out and show a different side when required for the number "Stars"
which recieved a noticeable warm applause from the audience.


Fantine ( played by Debbie Minczanowski)

A very good actress and I felt she looked the part but she simply didn't have the vocal capacity for such a role. The much anticipated "I dreamed a dream" which is Fantine's song did not measure up-to my disappointment, she lacked the belt style required for the piece though substituted it with decent acting and you could tell she was sincere with tears in her eyes throughout the piece, though it's not quite the same as you know what you want to see. I feel this role was very badly cast.


Eponine ( played by understudy Emily Green)

Another role I feel was badly cast and I didn't feel she even looked the part, too clean cut for a start in appearance for such a role and far too young, at the tender age of 14 years, to understand and portray such a role. She didn't have the vocal capacity and belt style required, neither did i see any emotional attachments to the character, not saying that Miss Green is a bad actress, but that she didn't go far enough. The number "On My Own" was a huge disappointment, her voice sounded more pop than the required musical theatre style which was a shame. And what is crucial in this piece and also "A heart hull of love" and "One day more" is that feeling that she is all alone in the world, but lost enough in love that she can pretend that the man she loves is beside her when the world turns cold and she is lonely. This is one of the most beautiful aspects of the character. And the number "A Little Fall of rain", a moment shared between Eponine and the man she loves, Marius, supposedly one of the most touching numbers throughout the show simply did nothing for me, my eyes in fact were drier than ever. Miss Green has the potential but obviously requires a few more years and training.


Marius ( played by Alan Tapper)

This is one of the charcters I will describe in opposite to my last cast member reviews. I felt he almost had the voice to carry the role off nicely but that his acting could of been better, more sincere for this heartstrung,in love, heroic, attractive young character.I felt he looked the part, and age was ok. He was one of the better cast roles I think.

Cosette ( played by Sarah Cosstick)

I feel that with a few more years of vocal training, this young lady could go far. She looks absolutely gorgeous on stage and looked the part required for the gentle, almost porcelain doll look required for the character of Cosette, I felt her acting, though not as dramatic as the other cast members was appropriate for the part. She showed some nice classical vocal ability at times, with a very sweet vibrato.

Thernardier (played by Russ Pirie)

Again- casting way too young for the part though he was very funny and had great acting and vocal abilities required for the role. This character, along with his cunning, overbearing wife
is one of the highlights of the show and works to break down the more serious issues with humour. A nice version of " Master of the House" especially when accompanied by chorus and recieved great applause. He looked the part but still too young. Very funny though and definately potential for roles like this. Great accent and voice!

Madame Thernardier (played by Alison Gibson)

She looked the part and had the accent but didn't seem to carry the role off well. This character is humourous, abrupt, cheeky,sarcastic- a right show stealer! But Miss Gibson didn't portray all the humour and energy required for such a loud, overbearing though funny character. Would have been nice in my opinion if the Thernardiers were closer in age, they would have looked more like a married couple.


Gavroche ( Kyle Tudor)

This young chap was in a professional production of Les Mis and you can see why in his various performances throughout the show. Great acting,accent, vocal abilties, he looked the part and did what was required of the character- to make people laugh and break some of the serious issues throughout the show.
I feel he was one of the best players in the show and there is a lot of potential in this young actor.


Young Cosette ( Alissa Heckingbottom)

Again, there is a lot of potential i feel in this young actress, she has a very sweet voice and with training- it could someday be a gorgeous theatre voice. Great acting for someone her age.




That is all for now.

Thanks to director Eileen Frith,
musical director Irene Jones and all those involved in the Rockingham Theatre company for bringing such a legendary musical to Perth and congratulations on sell out performances.


The Review Master