Music Spectrum's Les Miserables

REVIEW: Music Spectrum's Production of Les Miserables
The Regal Theatre, Subiaco WA

Director: Jane Pike
Musical Director: Paul McCarthy


Here is my review of the Music Spectrum Production of Les Miserables and I write in the upmost honesty and will try to stick to constructive criticism. Whatever I write is only MY opinion and you will have yours. If there is anything anyone would like to discuss, don't hesitate to email me or reply to this thread.

I will structure this review similar to how I wrote the review of the Rockingham Theatre Production of Les Mis....

Well, I had heard a great many things about this production and had been in long anticipation over the months to see it. Quite a few people on this web site know of my fanatical obsession with Les Miserables and if I appear to be extremely picky in my criticisms of the show- you'll know why. But all in all, this was a great amateur show portrayal ( are we still in debate about the pro-amateur thing?) and I felt that this show was evidence of some of the tremendous talent we have here in WA and I can see a few of the performers have a lot to offer the world.

Ok, one of the major points I want to make about the show in general is that there simply wasn't enough people in the vocal ensemble at times to create that 'fullness' required in some of the musical numbers. In one of the first numbers in the first act, " At the End of the day", I was expecting an almost "bring the house down" number- because this piece (like many others in the show) is a cry of the people! They are telling the story of their miserable lives! Hence 'Les Miserables'...

I hate to compare..but even the Rockingham Chorus had more of the fullness in ensemble that I felt was required, although I did criticize the some of the soloists, and they did happen to have a choir of about 10-15 people on the side. But in general- I felt that more ensemble members not only add to that fullness in the sound but to the atmosphere. For eg: in the number "Master of the house", i felt that the chorus backing Thenardier simply didn't create that jolly, drinking atmophere that I would place in a tavern scene...you know- everyone's drinking- having a merry time- cares on the side..I really wanted the chorus to bring out that piece and I wanted more atmoshphere which I don't think was fulfilled with the number of ensemble members placed. My thoughts are the same on numbers such as " Do you hear the people sing?" which I regard as one of the major "cry of the people pieces" and also "One day more", which mind you has to allow for the individual cries of the principal characters.

My second major point was the smoke machine was out of control! A lot of the time of I could hear audience members sniffling and crying around me and it wasn't because someone had been shot in the show! There were times when I felt that use of the smoke machine was unnecessary- but then again, this is the director and associated people's interpretation of the show and I will not knock it.

Ok, here's a positve- I did like the set! I believe that Les Mis would not be an easy show to put on set wise as I felt was evident from the 1999 professional production at the Entertainment Centre. I mean- just looking at that huge, moving
barricade!! But all in all they did a great job and were quite imaginative despite having a few backstage crew occasionally coming into view to remove props- this is very disorientating for the audience!!! But then I ask- how else could it be done unless there was even more imaginative thinking....

Well done orchestra and musical director, well done! This 23 piece orchestra was very professional indeed- and at times, especially the collaboration of the strings seem so much like the professional production.

Another point is that in my opinion some actors/actresses in principal roles simply sounded too classical for this type of musical theatre and I feel that this jeopardizes the character.
I will move onto the performers now.



Again, here is my review of some of the the key players:


Jean Valjean - played by Justin Freind

At first I didn't imagine Justin as a Jean Valjean, I don't
see the physically aging character in him. He looks so young! But he certainly proved me wrong! Jean Valjean is a kind, noble though strong character and this came through in Justin's performance. He proves to be an accomplished actor, as is evident from his past credits in theatre, and he has a tremendous voice! A wonderfully warm sound and beautiful vibrato, which in my opinion is right for this character.
"Bring him home" was a great success, as he showed both the gentleness and pleading of the piece which I desired.


Javert - played by David Dockery

From the first moment he walked out on stage with this stern look on his face and the way he carried himself in such bold, almost unfeeling mannerism with baton bound in hands behind him- I could tell he had the right,desired feelings for the character. And that sternness was portrayed in his voice which was brillant ,I felt this made him one of the best performers in the show- he had it all there. The number "Stars" was a triumph though I felt this perfomer stood out in ALL the numbers he was involved in- such a great stage presence!


Fantine - played by Annette Gebauer

I felt that this performer was simply too old for the role. Yes, Fantine is a mother and she, like a lot of the characters in this show has been through a hell of a lot in life but I wanted to see more a youthfulness in this character- even though this youth has been trampled through her experiences in life- particularly with men/ or one man in particular, being the father of her child.
I felt that Annette's voice was brilliant in the operatic sense but was too classical for such a role. I felt this jeopardized her acting because I wanted to see more of a cry from the character, particularly in " I dreamed a dream" and " Come to me". I felt the character required more of a modern music theatre belt to make this possible. Annette's upper range was quite breath taking though as is evident from her past operatic credits.


Eponine - played by Gillian Binks

Despite the fact that she had to shed more than a decade in age and capture the troubled youth of the character, I felt Gillian pulled this character off rather beautifully. She is a great performer both acting and vocally, and these two aspects combined beautifully. I have heard many great things about her- and eveything I have heard is positive and accurate. Her performance in "One day more" - her cry for the man she loves was wonderful and she truly stood out- (as Eponine should!) among the chorus in this number, marching along all the other revolutionaries.

The anticapated number, "On My Own", in my opinion being one of the most popular in Les Miserables was a very touching and successful item which Gillian really made her own. Believe me- I have seen this number performed a million times! She has a wonderful modern musical theatre belt that I feel is required by such numbers sung by this character. Her portrayal of the character's interacation with her beloved Marius really made me feel for the character and really made me believe that she was genuinely lost in love- though still showing a boyish side to her. "A Little Fall of Rain" brought on the tears, that is what was desired of the piece- so well done Eponine and Marius.



Cossette - played by Fiona Cooper

Another performer I felt was leaning over alittle too closely to the classical side. Although- in contrast to a character like Eponine, and even Fantine, Cosette has appeared to veer more to the classical sounding side. Though- I'm after more of a sweetness in that classical sound whereas Fiona's sound was alittle more bolder than I desired. It is not only the sweetness required in the sound but also in the acting portrayal of the character which felt Fiona had sometimes, but then would lose as her voice became more operatic. The character of Cossette is a sweet little soul, as is evident from the number she sings as a child, "Castle in a Cloud" to "In My life" which she sings as a young woman. She is sweet and loves Jean Valjean dearly, as he took her in as a child - but his little angel is growing up and searches not only for love but for her identity.


Marius - played by Paul Whiteley

Had a wonderful feel for the character and brilliant voice to match. I felt he was one of the best performers in the show alongside Dockery, Binks and Freind. The number , "A Little Fall of Rain" with Eponine- required both characters to contribute to the scene equally, little Eponine is slipping away and this is their last goodbye and this resolves their relationship so beautifully. Almost leaves a "what if ?" etched on your heart. his reaction to her death and his immediate cry on Enjolras' shoulder pulled a few heartsrtings and brought some reality into the scene.

His giddy as a school boy moments when thinking about that mysterious beauty, Cossette - were wonderful. I remember laughing when he literally briefly did a little skip when he was talking to Eponine about his beloved. He sang beautifully in numbers including "In My Life"- I likened his vocal quality to that of Michael Ball- who played Marius in the 10th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Overall he had the vocal and acting capacities I felt were right for the character. Marius is a heartthrob- he is loyal, kind and youthful. This came though in Paul's performance.


Thernardier - played by Colin Hughes


A right show stealer as the character should be! I have to mention that I loved the part in "Thernadier Waltz" when Jean Valjean has come to take Cossette away- when he sings to Valjean about Cossette being their treasure- yet he has to turn to his wife to find out the child's name! This interpretation of the piece was hilarious! In "Master of the House", he was generally funny, but there were some parts when i felt he needed alittle more humour and sleaziness in the character. I liked his funny laugh and he pretty much carried off the accent. The number "Beggars at the feast" truly show he worked well with Amanda Chesterson as his wife- the two were very funny. The only thing I felt on the critical side was that he could have been alittle clearer in his words because truly- you want the audience to hear the stories he's telling about robbing people and such because they're absolutely hilarious!


Madame Thernardier - played by Amanda Chesterson
( and yes Amanda - it was definately you!!)

Amanda certainly made the role her own and she was very funny!
The first thing I want to say in regards to criticism was that in the end of the number "Castle on a Cloud" when we first meet Madame, I felt she could have been a little more pushy, alittle more abrupt and mean! But then again - it all comes down to interpretation, mine may be different from someone else's. But, generally throughout she showed off that brassy , abrupt almost yelling vocal quality I felt was desired for Madame. Her little step in in "Master of the house" brought the laughs in!! Amanda was well chosen for the role, and was an incredibly hilarious actress!



Enjolras- played by Simon Holt

Simon's interpretation of the character shone through as a noble heroic patriot. He has a wonderfully warm voice and his acting abilities were evidently professional - seems he is quite accomplished actor!


Gavroche - played by Andrew Neale

He was an adorable little Gavroche! Such a cute kid! And he really knows how to act, I can see he has a lot to offer in the future! I can tell the audience as well as the cast adored him.




Well, as much as I'd like to speak about other aspects of this production - I'm sure yo