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Les Misrables: The Dream Cast in Concert
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Wikipedia article
'Les Misrables: The Dream Cast in Concert' (1995), also titled 'Les Misrables in Concert', is a concert version of the 1980 musical 'Les Misrables', which was based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel, produced to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the West End production. It was filmed in October 1995 at the Royal Albert Hall and released on DVD, VHS and LD in 1998, and re-released on DVD in North America in 2008. The latest DVD presents the concert in its original 16x9 ratio.
Although filmed with HD cameras, a Blu-ray edition has not been released yet. The 10th Anniversary cast stars Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean, Philip Quast as Inspector Javert, Michael Ball as Marius Pontmercy, Lea Salonga as ponine, Judy Kuhn as Cosette, Ruthie Henshall as Fantine, Michael Maguire as Enjolras, Alun Armstrong as Thnardier, Jenny Galloway as Madame Thnardier, Adam Searles as Gavroche, Hannah Chick as Young Cosette, and several others, and was directed by John Caird. The performers were chosen from the London, Broadway and Australian productions of the show and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was conducted by David Charles Abell. It also aired on PBS part of the Great Performances series.
Production
The 10th anniversary concert of 'Les Misrables' is known as the "Dream Cast in Concert" because Mackintosh hand-selected the cast. Colm Wilkinson reprised his role as Valjean after starring in the original West End and Broadway productions. Philip Quast was cast as Inspector Javert after the producers of the show witnessed his performance in a musical production in his hometown in Australia. Wilkinson and Quast are widely recognized as the "Dream Casting" of the idolized roles of Valjean and Javert. Lea Salonga is the only non-Caucasian performer in the main cast. Her participation has been credited by many stage musical enthusiasts of breaking down racial barriers for future castings of the live show.
This presentation uses a "modernised" and more heavily orchestrated score than that of the original musical. It follows the traditional "musicals-in-concert" format with the cast lined up against a set of microphones with the orchestra and chorus behind them. The entire company wear costumes and use only necessary props (such as Javert's baton, Thnardier's notebook, etc.). Apart from minor movement on the concert stage, the performers do not participate in major action scenes. Where necessary, the video switches to action from the stage production.
A few action-based scenes from the musical are not included in the concert such as the street brawl broken up by Javert, Gavroche's death, and the confrontation between Marius and Thnardier at the wedding feast. Some musical numbers, such as "At the End of the Day", "Lovely Ladies", "The Runaway Cart", "In My Life", and "Turning" were also shortened.
Notable events
During the performance of "Castle on a Cloud", as Hannah Chick sang the line "Crying at all is not allowed", a loud pop was heard the popping of a balloon, one of many stored in the ceiling for release at the end of the show. It visibly startled her (as seen by her sudden flinch), but she recovered immediately and continued the song with no delay in the delivery.
The five international English-speaking Valjeans featured in the encore song played the convicts in the opening number "Look Down".
Encore
The programme ends with an encore in which seventeen international actors who portray Jean Valjean in their respective countries join Wilkinson on stage to each sing a few bars of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" in their native languages. They are then joined by the entire cast and choir to sing the last verse of "One Day More", receiving a standing ovation. Red, white, and blue balloons, as well as confetti, fall from the ceiling; sparklers erupt on stage as the show finishes.
Cast
Main performers
The seventeen Valjeans
The following are the seventeen Valjeans who participated in the second encore (in order):Cavill and Leyton also appeared as two of the five principal convicts in "Look Down" at the beginning of Act 1.'Les Misrables in Concert' CD liner notes
DVD release
The DVD was released by Sony Pictures on 17 November 1998. This Region 1 fullscreen DVD is now out of print. It has a run time of 159 minutes.
A two-disc widescreen collector's edition was released by BBC Video in Region 1 territories on 19 February 2008. Viewers have reported that a segment of "Little People" is inexplicably removed. This release also does not contain the speeches. The second disc contains 'Les Misrables: Stage by Stage', a documentary from 1989.
Recent versions of the DVD include the missing segment of Little People.
A remastered special edition DVD of the concert was released on November 20, 2012.
Soundtrack
;Disc 1
# Prologue (Look Down)
# On Parole/The Bishop
# Valjean's Soliloquy
# At the End of the Day
# I Dreamed a Dream
# Lovely Ladies
# Fantine's Arrest
# The Runaway Cart
# Who Am I? - The Trial
# Fantine's Death
# The Confrontation
# Castle on a Cloud
# Master of the House
# The Bargain-Waltz of Treachery
# Look Down
# Stars
# ABC Caf/Red and Black
# Do You Hear the People Sing?
# Rue Plumet - In My Life
# A Heart Full of Love
;Disc 2
# The Attack on Rue Plumet
# One Day More!
# Building the Barricade/On My Own
# Back at the Barricade
# Javert's Arrival/Little People
# A Little Fall of Rain
# Night of Anguish
# First Attack
# Drink with Me
# Bring Him Home
# Second Attack/The Final Battle
# The Sewers
# Dog Eats Dog
# Javert's Suicide
# Turning
# Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
# Every Day/A Heart Full of Love (Reprise)
# The Wedding Chorale/Beggars at the Feast
# Epilogue (Finale)
# Encore 1: Entrance of International Valjeans
# Encore 2: Do You Hear the People Sing?/One Day More!
See also
* 'Les Misrables' (musical)
* 'Les Misrables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary' (2010)
* 'Les Misrables: The Staged Concert' (2019)
* Adaptations of 'Les Misrables'
References
Buy Les Misrables: The Dream Cast in Concert now from Amazon
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