#jordan simon polard

[sorry-im-late-again]

Les Mis UK And Ireland Tour, Dublin 2.0

Okay so I saw Les Mis in Dublin on the 10th of February and as always when I see Les Mis I will be doing a review. For reference we were in the third row right in the middle.

I gotta see this is a STRONG cast. I actually couldn't fault any of the performances from the principal cast. There's usually always one that I'm not gone on but I genuinely believe this cast are stellar.

So to begin with, Dean Chisnall. I've heard such incredible things about Dean Chisnall and I have been so looking forward to seeing him. We've had these tickets since pre covid and I cam genuinely say it wad worth the wait. Quite honestly one of the best Valjeans I've ever witnessed. I can't even place what it is he brings to the character that makes his version so special but he's incredible. There's a softness to hid Valjean that sometimes I find lacking and it is just such a moving and nuanced performance.

So Enjolras is my favourite character and I've said it before that I have witnessed some incredibly underwhelming Enjolras and as a result I can be quite picky. Sam Wyn-Morris however, is quite honestly the best Enjolras I have ever seen. I am in love with his Enjolras. You can feel how much he cares for the cause in everything he does and those vocals. Honestly we are not worthy of his performances and I am so happy he got promoted from cover Enjolras in London to principal on tour because he is incredible.

Katie Hall. Katie Hall. Katie Hall. So I seen Katie as Fantine before back in Januarh 2019 and while I enjoyed her performance that time, it was nothing compared to this time. I don't know if it's becoming a mother or what it is, but her performance has completely changed and she blew me away. I sobbed through I dream a dream. There was so much raw emotion in everything she did and I just loved it.

Ian Hughes is a very enjoyable Thernardier. He is a great balance of funny and sinister and was very enjoyable to watch. Helen Walsh is good is Madame T., she's not my favourite role but I enjoyed her performance.

I had seen Nic Greenshields as Javert before and while I know he's not everyone's cup of tea, I enjoy him. He was perfectly stoic but unravelled at his death and vocally he was excellent on our night. I also found he acted more than he did previously when I'd seen him and thought he was a very good Javert.

Nathania Ong is a great Eponine. Her voice is stunning and I loved the rough and angry yet playful way she played Eponine. I felt like she did interstate the character which was lovely.

I really enjoyed Will Callan's Marius. Firstly, how is he only 18???? But secondly, he gave me very brick!Marius vibes he was just poor confused Pontmercy and I loved it and he also has stellar vocal chops.

I think it's generally agreed that Cosette can be quite a thankless role, but Paige Blankson was lovely. She actually acted!!!!! Which was great to see and has a beautiful voice.

The ensemble are very strong. Jordan Simon Pollard is excellently horrible as the Foreman. It is harrowing to see the Foreman as Fantine's first customer and his performance was fabulous. I really enjoyed Steven Hall as Grantaire in act 2, it was heartbreaking and he was wonderful. I could go through every member of the ensemble but I really don't have the time but it truly is an excellent company.

In terms of the production I was the first to complain about the original closing in London but after watching the New Production a few times in the last few years I can honestly say it is powerful. Some issues I would have, my friend I went with was a Les Mis newbie and sje said that the story was quite hard to follow at times as the scene changed no longer say the location and the year/ whether time has elapsed and I can imagine that would be hard to follow should you not know. Despite that I do think the production, sets and general staging etc are very good and while I do think it was a shame to get rid of the original completely, I do think this production is just as wonderful.

Something I noticed that was different to the other times I have seen both this production and the original is that Eponine no longer dies climbing over the barricade. The line "There's a boy climbing the barricade" no longer exists. Instead, Eponine is already at the barricade and a student (I didn't see who) calls "Incoming", this is followed by two gunshots and Eponine actually jumps infront of the gun in order to stop Marius getting hit (not unlike in the film). It was an interesting change because it is very small but I wonder what the decision was to change it.

Anyway, the tour company are very strong and I will urge anyone who can to get tickets because they're a cast you don't want to miss.