Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular, at Rod Laver Arena and touring - 2 hours 45 minutes, including interval

The emotional resonance of Les Misérables is massive in the Melbourne leg of The Arena Spectacular world tour.

It is a production full of power, passion, poise and polish.

It is a grand spectacle that starts with the anticipation of the audience that fills the vast space of Rod Laver Arena.

Even before I enter the “theatre area”, there is a long, snake-like line outside a merchandise stand.

Photos by Daniel Boud and Danny Kaan

The musical is based on the novel by Victor Hugo, with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer.

It first appeared in the West End in 1985 and then, two years later, on Broadway and in Australia, going on to claim more than 70 major theatre awards.

That included eight Tony Awards, among them Best Musical for the original Broadway production.

Set in early 19th century France, Les Misérables tells the story of Jean Valjean, a French peasant, and his quest for redemption.

He spent 19 years in jail, as prisoner 24601, for stealing a loaf of bread for his sister’s starving child.

Valjean then breaks his parole and starts life afresh after a kindly bishop inspires him through an act of mercy.

Valjean assumes a new identity and becomes a wealthy factory owner.

In time, he promises to protect the young daughter of one of his former workers – abandoned mother Fantine – whom he has inadvertently done wrong by.

However, always on his tail is dogged and ruthless police inspector Javert, who lives by the creed “once a thief, always a thief”.

Valjean is swept up in a revolutionary period in France, during which a group of young idealists make a stand at a street barricade.

Musically, Les Misérables is, and always has been, phenomenal – moving and memorable.

From Do You Hear The People Sing?, I Dreamed a Dream and Bring Him Home to On My Own and Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, it continues to resonate. Unashamedly, I shed tears … again.

From tender to tortured, Alfie Boe’s vocal dexterity, depth and authoritative presence as Jean Valjean leads the way. He is a dominant figure.

His opposite number, Michael Ball, goes toe-to-toe with him as the fearsome Javert. Their duelling duet is one of the many high points of an extraordinary evening.

The light relief in the dramatic musical is provided by Matt Lucas and Marina Prior, whose acerbic asides showcase their supreme talent.

They fill the roles of roguish innkeepers the Thénardiers, who “sell” Fantine’s child, Cosette (Beatrice Penny-Touré) to Jean Valjean and then want to keep cashing in.

Not only are Lucas and Prior strong musically, but their sense of comic timing is delightful.

Rachelle Anne Go is a revelation as the desperate Fantine, both vulnerable and determined, while there is a sweetness about Penny-Touré as her daughter.

A selfless aura surrounds Shan Ako, who plays Éponine, in love with Cosette’s boyfriend Marius (Jack Yarrow).

Marius is the bridge between what was and what will be when it comes to Cosette’s future and a passionate Yarrow tackles that part well.

As Enjolras, the student leader of the rebellion, James D. Gish stamps his mark on some of the musical’s pivotal scenes.

A cute and confident Scarlett Sheludko is memorable as Little Cosette.

Cheeky and cheery Christopher Joseph appears to relish the role of street urchin Gavroche.

The staging of Les Misérables was always going to be a challenge in an arena setting and the production team has done remarkably.

With a raised orchestra at the back of the stage and three small balconies in front, it is the gigantic lighting banks that almost appear to take on a life of their own.

They glide in an out from above in various configurations and even rise from the floor.

To ensure prime viewing for all, two video screens hone in on the featured performers, with a third, large, rectangular screen providing illustrative imagery.

From downtrodden to rich and redolent, the costuming too transports us back to the era where the musical is set.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh is to be heartily congratulated for continuing to transform Les Misérables into a very, very special musical.

With a cast and crew of more than 65, The Arena Spectacular is bold and brilliant, a mighty and magnificent production. Do not miss it!

It is playing at Rod Laver Arena until 25th May and then moves to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre from 28th May until 1st June, 2025.