Les Miserables at Norwich's Theatre Royal review: Juggernaut of musical show the 'best night out for miles'

Les Miserables

Theatre Royal, Norwich

Well, it’s been a long time coming back to us and we’ve all been on different journeys in the meantime but yes, this large-scale intense production is worth the wait.

Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and regarded by many as his finest achievement, Les Mis is more than 40 years old but still comes out as people’s favourite musical in polls.

It has a winning formula of a heart-rending plot and soul searching music – it’s based on Victor Hugo’s classic tale of theft, redemption, oppression and revolution in early 19th century France and has an awe-inspiring score by Boubill and Schonberg where you can indulge yourself with songs like One Day More, Master of the House and On My Own.

Dean Chisnall is magnificent as Jean Valjean and his version of Bring Him Home had us all in tears, while Rachelle Ann Go is charming as Fantine, so vulnerable when beautifully singing I Dreamed A Dream, and the comic duo of Ian Hughes and Emily Olive Boyd as Monsieur and Madame Thenardier provided some much needed slapstick comedy.

The set, the costumes and the sheer volume of people on stage match the sweeping, complex storylines and as for the barricade, well you somehow seem part of it – fighting the good fight! Mention must also go to the orchestra who keep this juggernaut of a show on track.

You’ll leave the theatre feeling exhilarated and drained – this beast of a show is the best night out for miles!

The show continues until September 24. Visit www.norwichtheatre.org

Sarah Hardy