Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert [VHS] Overview
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."
Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert [VHS] Specifications
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
Customer Reviews
This production is a dream cast. Music, theater and orchestrations are fantastic.
After seeing Colm Wilkinson as Jean Val Jean, I can not imagine anyone in the role. And 'born to play this role.
Philip Quast as Javert presented a superior performance. Quast made this cartoon character, otherwise the evil antagonist Valjean in a charming and sensitive. Quast Javert version is not what I had seen done by other actors, when I saw Les Mis on stageseveral times. Eventually I was obsessed Javert tragic and wrong, not evil. Philip Quast was certainly in this part and made it his own.
The most fantastic song is "confrontation" between Valjean and Javert - the energy and the emotional effect is exciting. My other favorite songs are "The Work Song" (that great opening number), "I dreamed a dream," "One Day More" and "landlord".
Also: watching the actors sitting on chairs(Waiting to sing for their time) was also very interesting. Although this is a serious musical, it was nice to see players smiling and enjoying each other's performance. You have to be there.
If you buy this DVD, you will not regret. The only thing I really regret not there would have been to see the concert in person. Enjoy!
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