Les Misérables at Birmingham hippodrome is not to be missed!
We’ve been partners of Birmingham Hippodrome since last year, proudly supporting a number of their projects, so when we were invited to enjoy the Leading Ladies event and see Les Misérables, we jumped at the chance!
Located in the centre of beautiful Birmingham, the small presence street-side belies the scale and beauty of what’s inside. A perfect fusion of modern and traditional, it’s a welcoming and magnificent building. Before the show, we were welcomed to a reception of other corporate partners where we heard from the Hippodrome team and enjoyed a fascinating and insightful Q and A with Les Mis’s Resident Director – Lauren Storer.
On to the show…
Before I start, I have to admit that I already love Les Misérables and, having adored it since my grandparents first took me at 12 years old, this latest production was going to be measured by my yardstick : the 10 year Anniversary ‘Dream Cast’ Soundtrack, which was basically the soundtrack to my teens (Well that and NuMetal, but that’s another blog!).
As I said, on to the show
Wow! Boy did it live up to the hype! A few of my friends have recently watched the same production in Manchester and I have heard only rave reviews…I’m delighted to say that they weren’t wrong! The costumes, lighting and staging were all exceptional (even minus the previously signature revolving stage) it was a feast for the eyes! But that aside, the company produced the most captivating telling of Les Misérables. Killian Donnelly’s Valjean was fabulous and the power of Nic Greenshileds’ voice made me adore Javert despite him being the ‘baddie’! Fantine’s small but integral role was portrayed by Katie Hall and do you know what…she nailed it! What a performance!
My standout performances
Whist the main characters were fabulous of course, I have to say that there were moments in the show where I believed Harry Apps was even better than Michael Ball as Marius. (Controversial perhaps, but I stand by it) I felt his voice touch my soul. Special mention to Will Richardson who played Friends of the ABC leader Enjolras – – he might just have been my favourite! An exceptional voice and performance; I hope to see him in a leading role soon.
A standing ovation well deserved. If my ‘Dream Cast’ is a 10 and the Hollywood version (which I did enjoy) is a 3, Birmingham Hippodrome’s Les Mis is a solid 9.5. Go and see it.