Well what can I say…I Dreamed A Dream and it came true!

The concert overall was amazing. With the talent on show, it couldn’t have gone wrong really! Each performer – all the way from the major stars like Alfie Boe (Valjean) and Ramin Karimloo (Enjolras), all the way down to the ensemble members –  pulled out all the stops and gave their whole hearts to the cause. So, from my own heart, I think a review is in order…

Alfie Boe (Valjean): To say that this guy was amazing would be a rather huge understatement. He blew my mind with his spectacular vocals, especially on ‘Bring Him Home’, ‘One Day More’ and ‘Who Am I?’ and I think everyone will agree with me when I say that you had to be there to get the full effect. A very talented guy 10/10!

Ramin Karimloo (Enjolras): So, for importance, I hear the masses wondering why Enjolras came second on the list but Ramin played it so well. From his first appearance on the stage, beside Nick Jonas, it was clear that there was a certain presence behind him, as the revolutionary student leader. His powerful voice was perfect for the character but the softer side too came through very well. His responsibility for the lives of the men at the barricade weighed heavily but Ramin’s performance held steady and true and those belting notes sure raised the roof! 10/10!

Nick Jonas (Marius): So it was a tall order to follow Michael Ball’s tremendous Marius from 15 years ago but this Jonas Brother sure gave it a good go! His ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’ had me in floods of tears and I think it worked well, what with his youth and rather innocent face. I could feel sorry for him a lot easier than for Michael, purely because of the fact that he looked more vulnerable. His voice was top notch and the other strong cast made him great! 9/10!

Matt Lucas (M. Thénardier): It was obvious that, from the second Matt stepped onto the stage, he was an instant hit – and that was even before he opened his mouth to sing. It was just the prospect methinks that got people whooping and then when he did start singing…he was amazing! His humour and tendencies as the Master of the House brought laughs to everyone and he really made the character his own. A brilliant addition to the already spectacular cast! 10/10!

Norm Lewis (Javert): Well, what can I say…The guy was pretty brilliant! Some of the lyrics were lost against Alfie’s pipes but the Policeman held his own and performed Stars sensationally! 9/10!

Samantha Barks (Eponine): To have the experience of being in the same show as Lea Salonga (who played Eponine so well in the 10th Anniversary version) made Samantha a wicked Eponine! With her vocals being spot on in ‘On My Own’, she had me believing in the character to the hilt. What with Eponine being my favourite female character, I had many expectations for her and she delivered with honours. I saw a lot of Lea coming through in her performance, which was definitely not a bad thing but there were a few moments…9.5/10

Lea Salonga (Fantine): Lea Salonga (the previous Eponine)…I like her but Fantine was the wrong character for her methinks, she’s more of a tomboy than a prostitute. Her voice was amazing but she just didn’t feel right as Fantine. Her rendition of ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ was maybe not as powerful as it could have been but her acting gave her room to manoeuvre. 8/10!

Katie Hall (Cosette): So, I’ve never been a huge fan of Cosette but Katie did her best. Her voice was not as strong as it could have been, compared to Judy Kuhn – who was brilliant in the 10th Anniversary Edition. The high notes were not as strained though as Judy’s which I liked, it sounded nicer in ‘A Heart Full of Love’. 8/10!

Jenny Galloway (Mme. Thénardier): She speaks for herself really doesn’t she? Winning the part again from the 10th Anniversary Edition! She brought hilarity and mischief to the show and shone with Matt Lucas by her side and the duet had the audience clapping along, eating out of the palms of their greedy hands! 9.5/10!

Robert Madge (Gavroche): So, I had my reservations about the character of Gavroche, I found him to be quite refreshing this time around. A very talented boy, who brought comedy and heart to the street urchin. I really felt the loss of him in ‘Empty Chairs’ when he appeared with Enjolras, Grantaire and the rest of the students. 9/10!

Hadley Fraser (Grantaire): I was agog, I was aghast! His voice was powerful and, for what little parts he had to sing in, I could hear the character coming through. His chemistry with Ramin during ‘Drink With Me’ was really significant and left me hurting to see them go over the barricade. 10/10!

And that concludes this review, hopefully it’s been an insight into what the show was like for me! Thanks for reading!

Katie x