Les Misérables, Auckland NZ, 2019

Les Misérables

6th – 30th November 2019
The Civic, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Sarah Kidd. Feature Photograph by Lyndon Katene.

Celebrating their one hundredth anniversary, Auckland Music Theatre in a debut production partnership with The Amici Trust once again brought one of the most beloved and longest running musicals to life last night on the hallowed stage of Aucklands esteemed Civic Theatre.

Les Misérables is an intoxicating story of love, redemption, honour and valour, and most importantly the human spirit; set in 19th century France its subject matter not only has roots firmly planted in history but vine like tendrils that stretch out over the centuries, reminding us of the importance of treating our fellow human beings with both kindness and respect regardless of status, perceived or otherwise.

While the story of Les Misérables, based on the Victor Hugo novel, is well known amongst seasoned musical theatre attendees; those who are not would do well to familiarise themselves with the synopsis before attending. Split into two acts the first moves at an intense pace, which while ensuring the foundations upon which our main characters can truly reveal themselves are well and truly in place, may slightly confuse those who are not au fait with the plot. In a piece of spectacular staging, this reimagined version of Les Mis features a rotating central floor section – flush to the rest of the stage – that allows for not only beautifully smooth transitions of set pieces but provision for the effect of characters travelling across vast areas. Combined with sagacious illumination, courtesy of lighting designer Nik Janiurek, and each scene is wondrously brought to life, the emotions of each character communicated with additional visual intricacies.

Our first introduction to the main protagonist of Jean Valjean is during the opening scene set in a Digne prison in 1815, where he has just finished serving a sentence of nineteen long years. Release seems sweet until Valjean realises that he is now an outcast, a man ostracised by society for his past. Played by the magnificent James MacKay who has become a father himself since first stepping into the role twenty years ago, he brings not only a strength to the character but to that of his vocals, which ring out with perfectly measured clarity. We are also introduced to Javert who is performed by none other than AMT alumni Hayden Tee, a veteran renowned across the world for his performances in musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Into the Woods, Matilda – where he played the pivotal role of antagonist Miss Trunchbull on London’s West End for an entire year – and of course Les Mis itself. Now back in New Zealand to not only reprise his role of Javert but to oversee the release of his album Face to Face, what a thrill it was to see him back on the New Zealand stage.

Accompanied by a fourteen-piece orchestra who provide the divinely sumptuous soundtrack, the first act is an absolute vision of costuming and well thought out set pieces; extraordinary performances from not only the main cast but the ensemble featuring throughout. Rebecca Wright, whose recent performance in We Will Rock You impressed, handles the role of Fantine with grace, a simultaneous vulnerability – as felt during ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ – and mother’s resolve intertwined as one. Emily Robinson as Eponine is astoundingly accomplished for such a young performer, her rendition of ‘On My Own’ earning her a rapturous round of applause from a captivated audience while her duet with Will Martins’ Marius at the barricade walls is heartbreaking but never once overdramatised.

Les Mis can be heavy subject matter at the best of times, the repugnantly amusing Mr and Mrs Thenardier injecting a little humour into their scenes despite their villainous behaviour. Hamish McGregor and Theresa Wells (whose very own young daughter features in the cast) delightfully portray the scoundrels in full technicolour glory, their onstage antics often drawing much amusement from those present.

But the crowning jewel of the production appears in Act II, the barricade gloriously brought to life, the battle scene best viewed from the circle as bursts of light representing the gunfire illuminate the stage; MacKays’ rendition of ‘Bring Him Home’ delivered with such passion, his falsetto on point, that there was barely a dry eye in the house, murmurings of wonderment underpinning the thunderous acclamations; Tees’ performance of ‘Javert’s Suicide’ which followed soon afterwards, testament to his world class status in the theatre.

An enthralling production from beginning to end worthy of the international stage, Auckland Music Theatre and The Amici Trust can take pride in a Les Misérables that is an example of New Zealand musical theatre at its quintessential finest.

Were you there at The Civic Theatre for this theatrical masterpiece? Or have you seen Les Misérables performed live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!

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