Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert
by Gavin Taylor, John Caird, Paul Kafno
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alun Armstrong, Colm Wilkinson, Jenny Galloway, Philip Quast, Ruthie HenshallDirector: Gavin Taylor, John Caird, Paul Kafno
Producer: Cameron Mackintosh
Producer: Ian Martin
Producer: Nicholas Allot
Writer: Alain Boublil
Writer: Victor Hugo
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 160 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1998-10-21
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: VCI/Tristsar
Movie Reviews of Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert
Movie Review: The BEST Les Mis cast - TRULY the DREAM CAST!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this DVD just recently, but have watched it several times on VHS. I have to say that, without a doubt, this is musically, the best musical I have ever seen. While some musicals like Phantom (which I equally love) relies on gorgeous set and costume designs, Les Mis can have barely any props/costumes and still hit it out of the park. This concert proves it! On a side note, out of all the Les Mis CD recordings (London, Broadway, Complete Symphonic, and this one, the Tenth Anniversary Concert), this has has got to have the best overall cast and IMO, as a result, the best vocal performances! This one-night only concert truly had the DREAM CAST!
Here is my review of all the major cast members:
Jean Valjean (Colm Wilkinson) - There is no other man who can play Valjean better than Colm. In my eyes, he IS Jean Valjean. In terms of singing, he may have been better on the studio recordings, but he performed his heart out! There is so much emotion in his portrayal of Valjean and his performances have a way of reaching out and touching you in the heart! He is found on both the original London and Broadway recordings. 'Nuff said!
Javert (Philip Quast) - Cold and heartless? Check. Intimidating appearance? Check. Powerful voice? Check. Just like Colm is the definitive Valjean, I think Philip is the best Javert. I enjoyed the London Javert and thought the Broadway one was okay (his voice didn't seem powerful enough IMO), but this guy has ALL the right stuff to play this cold-hearted inspector! His performances of "Stars" and "Javert's Suicide" were bone-chilling! In terms of overall performance, I think he could very well have given the best.
Thenardier (Alun Armstrong) - I've enjoyed portrayals where Thenardier is gruff and intimidating, but I really like how Alun gives the character a kind of sly, sneaky personality, which I think really fits Thenardier. This, in turn, also brings well-needed comic relief! "Master of the House" is a really crowd-pleaser and gets the crowd going crazy! He appears on the original London recording.
Marius (Michael Ball) - I know this is getting repetitive, but can you imagine anyone better playing Marius? Again, to me, Michael is the one and only Marius! He has an amazing, powerful voice, but he can also be tender and soft. I think he gave one of the most emotional performances of the night! "Empty Chairs" is guaranteed to make your eyes tear! He also appears on the London recording.
Fantine (Ruthie Henshall) - I think I'll have to say her "I Dreamed A Dream" was THE most powerful and emotional performance of the night. She put heart into each and every single note and the desperation in her voice gives you goosebumps! Having never really heard her before, I wondered why she would be chosen for such a role. I got my answer right after she hit her first note! Simply chilling!
Eponine (Lea Salonga) - Eponine has always been my favorite character and I wouldn't choose anyone but Lea! I'll have to say I love both Frances (the original London and Broadway, where she won a Tony award, Eponine) and Lea, but Lea's voice is just so perfect! "On My Own" was, hands-down, the best performance of the night IMO! There have been complaints that her voice have been TOO perfect, but I don't see why it can't be! The intense look that she has just commands your attention, but when you hear her voice, you can't do anything but listen! What a performance!
Cossette (Judy Kuhn) - Never been a huge fan of the character Cossette, but Judy, the original Broadway Cosette, does a very respectable job. I really do prefer her "normal" singing (i.e. Pocahontas), but her voice really is beautiful. I think her best performances were with Micahel and Lea during the "Love Montage". Their voices blend perfectly together. For some reason, though, I've always liked Eponine's harmony parts over Cosette's parts. Still, I think she had a strong performance and played the character well.
Enjolras (Michael Maguire) - In terms of the character, he fit Enjolras perfectly. Vocally, he was a bit off in places, but still gave an inspired and powerful performance as the leader of the revolution. He did have some great parts where his voice just soared and I can definitely understand why he was picked over the other Enjolrases (though a case can be made for Anthony Warlow from the CSR). Well...Maguire did have the Tony award from his Broadway run going for him! ;)
Madame Thenardier (Jenny Galloway) - Easily the funniest performance of the night! Everything she did and sang was hilarious! A huge fan-favorite!
Gavroche (Adam Searles) - I've seen Gavroches that I swear must be under the age of 5, though they say they're 7! However adorable they are, I have to say I like someone who is at least old enough to play the part (I still like the younger ones, but it's a bit...unbelievable)! Adam does a remarkable job! His British accent really shines through and it makes his character seem so authentic! Definitely another one who fit the charcater to perfection!
Little Cosette (Hannah Chick) / Grantaire (Anthony Crivello) - Both only had tiny parts, but both were excellent! Hannah played the young, trembling Cosette well (but seemed a bit too old IMO), but her vocals were nice to listen to. Anthony was also very funny as Grantaire, that drunk ol' fellow! Pleasant voice as well!
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was perfect! The music sounded flawless to me! There is also a bonus feature where 20 Valjeans from different countries come out and sing in their own langauge! The Valjean from Japan is the guy from Iron Chef! :P
On my VHS, there were also appearances by producer Cam Mackintosh and all the whole gang (Boubil, Schoenberg, etc., etc.). They all gave speeches and most of them are hilarious! I'm not 100% sure if they were included on the DVD though as I haven't watched all of it yet.
Overall, this is a must-get DVD if you are a fan of Les Mis (DUH! Shame on you if you don't have this! ;p) or a fan of musicals in general! This is the definitive package with the best cast EVER assembled! I promise you - you WILL NOT be disappointed!
Summary of Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert
The 10th anniversary of the international musical sensation Les Misérables is celebrated in this 1995 concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. The all-star cast features Colm Wilkinson (Valjean), Ruthie Henshall (Fantine), Michael Ball (Marius), Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Lea Salonga (Eponine), Philip Quast (Javert), and Alun Armstrong (Thenardier). Favorite songs from the Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg score include "Who Am I?", "I Dreamed a Dream," "Master of the House," "One Day More," "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "Bring Him Home."The 10th anniversary concert video of the international musical sensation Les Misérables might be the best thing to appease fans until a full-fledged movie comes along. Or it might be even better, as feature films are often subject to extramusical casting considerations and this 1995 dream cast is superb. Reprising their roles from the original London company are Colm Wilkinson (Valjean), Michael Ball (Marius), and Alun Armstrong (Thenardier). From Broadway come Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Lea Salonga (Eponine), and Michael Maguire (Enjolras); from a later London production comes Ruthie Henshall (Fantine); and from Australia comes Philip Quast (Javert).
Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's score vividly captures the passion of Victor Hugo's epic tale of post-Revolutionary France, combining tear-jerking ballads ("I Dreamed a Dream," "Bring Him Home") and rousing anthems ("Do You Hear the People Sing"). The format of this concert is closer to that of a dramatic cantata rather than a fully staged production; the singers stand at their microphone stands with an orchestra and chorus behind them, but they do wear costumes and participate in some movement. At certain points such as the climax of the barricade scene, the video switches to action from a stage production. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra sounds great, and it can be thrilling when 200 choristers (dressed in logo T-shirts) rise to their feet for a full-company number such as "One Day More." Also, subtitles provide date and scene information and help move the story along.
The 147-minute video contains footage not seen when Les Mis was a PBS pledge-drive staple, most notably the encore in which a progression of 17 actors who have played Valjean around the world share "Do You Hear the People Sing?" Each sings a line in his native language, a testament to the enduring power of this show to audiences everywhere. --David Horiuchi
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