Les Misérables continues at Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris until 2 January 2025.
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The Théâtre du Châtelet has once again cemented its reputation as the temple of musical theatre in Paris with its latest, triumphant version of Les Misérables.
Les Mis has had a rich history of productions, beginning with its premiere in Paris at the Palais des Sports in 1980, directed by Robert Hossein. Marking the very first stage adaptation of Victor Hugo’s legendary novel, that production did not run for very long, but it did lay the groundwork for what would become a global phenomenon: the English adaptation (produced by Cameron Mackintosh) premiered in London a few years later, quickly becoming a massive success with a continuous run in the West End ever since.
Despite the international acclaim that quickly followed (6,680 performances on Broadway alone), the Mogador revival in 1991, with Jérôme Pradon as Marius in his musical debut, didn’t fare well, lasting only six months. Only the touring new staging in English at Châtelet in 2010 sold out and started to reconcile the French public with the global fruit of their national tree, but still the movie version in 2012 starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway was successful everywhere but in France!
Fast forward to 2024, when Châtelet decided to stage a brand-new production of Les Mis, directed by Ladislas Chollat and featuring an entirely French libretto and innovative staging; this revival breathes new life into the classic tale, which now belongs as much to Claude-Michel Schönberg’s music and Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel lyrics as it does to Victor Hugo’s epic story.
From the moment the curtain rises, the audience is transported into the heart of 19th-century Paris by Emmanuelle Roy’s starkly beautiful and evocative, albeit minimalist, set design complemented by Alban Sauvée’s innovative staging and lighting, both magnifying the story’s emotional depth and its moving moments of redemption.
Under Chollat’s masterful direction, the grandeur of Hugo’s vision is seamlessly blended with a modern sensibility that should resonate with contemporary audiences. The choreography by Romain Rachline Borgeaud and musical direction by Alexandra Cravero and Charlotte Gauthier, along with Jean-Daniel Vuillermoz’s inventive costume designs, give the production a completely new look and feel, in no small thanks to the rich, immortal score, emotionally performed by the virtuoso-filled Châtelet orchestra.
The cast includes la crème de la crème of French musical theatre, delivering performances of extraordinary depth and nuance, led by Benoît Rameau, whose portrayal of Jean Valjean combines vocal prowess with the raw power of a seasoned actor, capturing both the heroism and humanity of a man torn between his troubled past and his quest for grace. Opposite him, Sébastien Duchange brings authoritarian intensity to Javert, his commanding presence and voice rendering the character’s relentless pursuit of Valjean chilling.
Jacques Preiss embodies Marius with youthful idealism and passion. His chemistry with newcomer Juliette Artigala (who trained at Moutntview in the UK) as Cosette, adds a tender, romantic element to the plot. Claire Pérot gives a heart-wrenching performance as Fantine, her voice conveying both bottomless despair and a fierce love for her daughter.
David Alexis and the always excellent Christine Bonnard as the Thénardiers strike a perfect balance between vulgarity and humour, providing comic relief while underscoring the darker facets of human nature. Océane Demontis shines as Éponine, especially in ‘Mon histoire’ (‘On My Own’), and the supporting cast is equally impressive, particularly Maxime De Toledo as the Bishop of Digne, Bastien Jacquemart and Vincent Gilliéron.
This new production may at last help French audiences make peace with arguably the greatest French musical ever made and to ultimately acknowledge its place in the pantheon of musical theatre. This and Hello, Dolly! are well worth the trip to Paris to end the year on a high note.
Patrick Honoré
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