Les Miserables is one of the greatest musicals. Spanning decades in 19th century France, it is a sweeping tale of love, honour, conflict, sacrifice and a sacred promise, and it takes ferocious commitment and proper skills to bring it to life on stage in all its glory. 

If you are hoping to be enthralled by Invercargill Musical Theatre’s production, you will not leave the theatre disappointed.

This epic production is a triumph.

From the ominous scale of its sets, effectively rendered and enhanced through clever use of a revolving stage, to the passionate characterisations right across the stage from a wonderful ensemble cast, this Les Mis delivers the emotional wallop you’re looking for.

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The leading cast members are magnificent. Their often complex and conflicted relationships are explored with sympathy and intelligence.

Dave McMeeking sets an exceptional standard as Jean Valjean, the accidental convict who emerges from 19 years of hard labour on a lifelong quest for redemption. He finds it in guardianship of the orphaned Cosette, who he embraces as his own daughter, following a promise made to her dying mother Fantine (Liv Cochrane).

Valjean is pursued at every step by the officiously moralistic policeman Javert (Nathan Hughes), and much of the story revolves around their complex antagonistic relationship.

With the backdrop of the French revolution and a touching sidebar of unrequited love, the intensity of the storyline is unrelenting, and the cast hit all the right emotional notes.

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McMeeking is an accomplished leading man, and yet again he shows us why. His range, not just as a singer but as an actor, is world class. His every move is riveting, even amidst the dizzying swirl of eye-catching performances right across the stage.

Hughes is chilling as the icy and ultimately tragic Javert, and Liv Cochrane’s flame burns brightly in her brief but pivotal role of Fantine.

Ewen Rodway as Marius is a strong foil for the affections of Cosette (Ava Thornley) in later life, and until too late his character is oblivious to the feelings of the third party in their relationship, Eponine, played beautifully by Amy Lee.

Throughout all the action and endearments, the loathsome and greedy Thenardiers (played bang on with the vile knob turned all the way up to 11 by Barry Macdonald and Ruth McSoriley) provide dark comic relief.

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And flying the flag at the forefront of the pivotal barricades scenes, Tapani Maka makes a powerful statement as the heroic Enjoiras.

Standing tall beside them is a troupe of performers who excel individually and click wonderfully as a group. It’s the best ensemble work I’ve ever seen on a Southland stage.

They are all so fully committed to their scenes it’s as if their futures depended on it.

And perhaps they do, with genuine concerns that IMT may not be able to repeat such grand-scale productions in the future unless they can attract full houses consistently this season.

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In short, for what is truthfully a very long piece of theatre at a few clicks under three hours, this production is as good as it gets in New Zealand, and probably a lot further beyond our shores.

The orchestra, too, is exceptional. 

Surprisingly, I found myself wiping away a tear midway through the second half, and by the end I’d just given up trying to hold them back.

I ask for nothing more than to be moved by my art, and this production of Les Mis moved me sideways.

Review: LES MISERABLES

Reviewer: Chris Chilton

Invercargill Musical Theatre

Director: Lisa-Jane Easter

Musical director: Clare Lenihan

Civic Theatre

July 9-24 2021

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