Les Misérables @ Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

In an era dominated by hyperbole, it’s satisfying to encounter a production which matches the hype surrounding it. Boubil and Schonberg’s musical Les Misérables, based on the 1861 novel of the same name by Victor Hugo, originally opened at London’s Barbican Theatre in 1985 and received a lukewarm reception. Fast-forward three decades and the show is a worldwide phenomenon, leaving eager attendees scrambling for returns weeks before theatres open their doors. This new production directed by Laurence Connor and James Powellwhich debuted at the Wales Millennium Centre in 2009, and is nothing short of breath-taking.

We begin in 19th century France, where the streets are thick with poverty, and hungry mouths force peasants to have light fingers. Jean Valjean, played superbly by the talented Killian Donnelly, has just been released from prison following a lengthy 19 years of hard labour for stealing some bread for his sister’s starving child. When he encounters kindness and generosity from the local bishop he sets to turning his life around. Meanwhile, the gifted Nic Greenshields in the role of police inspector Javert is every inch the worthy adversary who haunts Valjean’s every step and remains determined to catch the thief who has evaded him for years. Against the backdrop of this intense game of cat-and-mouse, the excitement of revolution seeps through the gutters of the streets of France and rises in backrooms, as a group of youths attempt to overthrow the government.

The scenery is inspired by Victor Hugo's paintings, with Matt Kinley's detailed set and image design effectively immersing the audience. From the floor-to ceiling buildings from which balconies emerge above the city streets, to the arresting homespun barricade of furniture upon which the revolutionaries rise and stand to fight, the set changes swiftly and smoothly.

With an unforgettable musical score from the rousing Do You Hear the People Sing and Look Down to the fun frolics of Master of the House, the entire cast radiate talent. Particularly worthy of note is Katie Hall as Fantine, who holds the audience transfixed with her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream, and is gone from the stage too soon, while Martin Ball as Thenardier is wonderfully animated as the cheeky rogue innkeeper. 

With increasing political uncertainty dogging our thoughts today, the image of revolution, of spirit and of hope is a tonic our hearts are thirsty for. Drink up, dream; this is an exceptional and captivating production.

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Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, until 16 Feb
https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/lesmiserables