Les Miserables Reviews - - Queen's Theatre

    July 2010 by Boxoffice Review

The Worlds longest running musical is still one of the best shows in London.  Les Miserable has played in 41 countries and 91 cities around the World.  It is the jewel in the Crown of Producer Cameron Mackintosh having won top theatrical awards all over the world and is as compelling and brilliant as ever.  Now playing in the Queens theatre (just a little further towards Picadilly Circus than its previous home The Palace Theatre) this smaller venue only adds to the potency of the most successful musical of all time.

Created in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird, Les Miserable is based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo.  It follows the life of Jean Valjean - a man who has been imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread while starving - who as an outcast assaults and robs the Bishop of Digne of his silver.  When Valjean is capture by the authorities and taken back to be identified, the Bishop shows him mercy and makes Valjean promise to change his ways in exchange for his freedom and the silver.  Valjean pledges to start a new life for the better. 

What follows is a story that takes us across France over many years to the end of Valjean’s life.  He is pursued by an obsessed Police officer (Javert) and tries to keep his adopted daughter Cossette safe from his dark past and the oncoming French revolution in Paris. 

This is one of the great musicals of all time.  The story moves quickly and has multiple plot lines.  It has one of the best scores of any musical ever written and almost every song is a show stopper.  The beautiful and impressive designs of the set and lighting have lost none of their power and the cast in this 25th anniversary production are terrific.  The show has the best end of Act One number in musical theatre and a host of spectacular ballads and set pieces.  If you haven’t seen this wonderful show then there has never been a better time.  

The production is going all out for this monumental achievement in theatre (there is a new version of the show coming to the Barbican - where the original started its life - for 22 performances from the 14th of September until the 2nd of October.  This will be followed by a spectacular 25th Anniversary concert at the O2 Arena in Greenwich on Sunday the 3rd of October featuring casts past and present with a host of Celebrity guest appearances.  If you are a Les Miserable fan these are events you won’t want to miss!

Les Miserable - Music by Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schonberg - Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. At Queens Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 6BA

    January 2012 by kerry flint

Saw it in Oct last year and have just seen it again in January. Have loved the music ever since it opened and have had the privilige of singing many of the moving numbers in my Musical Society. The whole show is amazing with stunning performances by Ramin Karimloo and Hadley Fraser not to forget the wonderful cast who bring to life a great story.My children avid fans and would be there every night if they could! long may it continue well done Les Mis

    January 2012 by Julie Quinn

Have now seen Les Miserables 3 times, when my children are a bit older I'm hoping to take them to see it as well, myself and my family totally love it and I cry everytime as its so moving. I just hope that such a magnificant show keeps going for many more years.

    January 2012 by Tally

Saw the show last week, absolutely fabulous! Ramin was superb as Jean Valjean & Hadly Fraser was simply fantastic as Javert! I want to see it again already!

    January 2012 by DAVID ISHERWOOD

Saw the performance last year with Alfie Boe and Matt Lucas presenting superb performances. An American gent sat next to me. He knew nothing of the story, I filled in a few details. At the end he was on his feet clapping and whooping loudly. Turning to me he said ' That was fantastic!'. I told him it was part of what makes Britain GREAT!

    January 2012 by Brigitte

Les Miserables really is the best musical! My daughter loves it too. Three years ago she saw it the first time. Next November we like to travel to London and want to visit the show.

But there are only tickets before Nov to buy.

I hope, the show does not end Oct 2012! Because it is ´the reason for our travel!

    December 2011 by John Dinsdale

Saw the show on sat 10th dec 2011. After waiting years to see it, and oh my god it was brilliant. from the outstandingly moody sets to the very moving storyline I was swept into this fabulous story. I wish to commend every member of the cast for an outstanding performance every single one of them threw themselves into their characters so well and gave the performance of their lives, which received a standing ovation from the whole theatre. Well done!!

    December 2011 by Chris Jones

Though it might be a bit dark and gloomy but... No!!

Of all the shows and plays I have seen from Miss Saigon to Phantom, from Deep blue sea to Edith Piaf.... This absolutely smashes anything I have seen..... Utterly brilliant!!

It pulls on all the emotional strings from laughter to tears, go see it, you'll not regret it.

C. Jones.

    December 2011 by Shabnam K

I have travelled down to London from Glasgow to see this show on Wednesday 30th November 2011 at the Queen’s Theatre and I have to say the cast and production had made the trip more than worthwhile. Mr. R. Karimloo’s voice and work on stage as Jean Valjean is simply MAGIC. My heart and soul was mingled in the music he sang. I look forward to seeing it again. This is a heart warming experience I will not forget. Thank you everyone for a beautiful performance!

    November 2011 by Dee Knill

It was my first time to the theatre and I don't think I could ever repeat this wonderful experience.  The show was fantastic and I felt every bit of joy as well as emotion - I cried several times. 

Thank you for making the experience something I will never forget.

    October 2011 by Littlesoo of Eastbourne

I don't think this could be bettered, all of the main players were superb - well, what can you say about Alfie (adorable - just watched him on Songs of Praise - am a fan of the man and the performer).  How wonderful to see such a terrific Marius. Looks, singing and acting - just right.  I wish a DVD had been made of this cast.

Seen Les Mis 10 times now, looking forward to the 11th!

Les Mis is the BEST.

    October 2011 by margaret hook

Seen the show four times and it gets better every time, if thats possible. FABULOUS.

    October 2011 by Carolyn

Booked to see Alfie on 24th August - unfortunately he was ill understudy good but not the same.

Just watch Alfie on Songs of praise so about to book and try again before 26th Nov x

    October 2011 by Gavin

I was lucky to of had a back stage tour with best seat in the house bought me for my birthday having seen the show many times before,but this time was extra special for me and my wife as we got to see alfie boe who was fantastic what a mega star thank you so much to every one who works on the show well done.

    October 2011 by M J MILLER

We booked the matinee on the 22nd October 2011, after seeing the great Michael Crawford, who never lets his fans down, in the Wizard of Oz, and we were advised by the Queens Theatre box office that Alfie Boe may not show.  Allthough the show was very good, Mr Alfie Boe couldn't be bothered to turn up! We had travelled alll the way from Devon, with an expensive hotel stay in London, and this was very disappointing.

    October 2011 by Eve Blackman

We were lucky enough yesterday to get standing tickets last minute, and standing for 3 hours was TOTALLY worth it! 

Incredibly strong cast- Alfie Boe is simply out of this world as Valjean, and Craig Mather was fantastic as Marius; a great actor with a wonderful voice.

I haven't stopped thinking about this all day today. It's the 3rd time I've seen this and is a stunningly strong ensemble. You should take any opportunity you can to see this cast!

    October 2011 by penny

Was disappointed that Alfie Boe was unable to appear at yesterday's (22 oct 11) matinee, whilst enjoyed the show, the down side being that in the opening act, the understudy's wig fell off, not once but twice - took a bit of a shine off the performance and unfortunately it was that which people where commenting on during the interval.

    October 2011 by Elaine

Saw the matinee performance yesterday  22/10/2011. Whilst disappointed Alfie Boe was unable to perform due to illnesss I thoroughly enjoyed the production. All the cast were magnificent.

    October 2011 by Roger

Thank you for a brilliant show on Thusday 20th October 2011, my birthday. Well worth every penny.

    October 2011 by Patricia Williams

OMG, I was treated to this on my birthday 18 October 2011, by my daughter Natasha it was awesome, best birthday I have ever had this is a must to see, I will definitely be seeing it again. Fantastic cast lovely songs  all in all a great show.