Les Misérables: The Staged Concert

I'll start by saying the 25th Anniversary performance was terrific, and still one of my favorite shows to enjoy from time to time. With that said it wasn't without it's flaws (mainly but-not-limited-to Nick Jonas' spirited yet underwhelming performance). These were especially apparent when viewing this next to the phenomenal 25th Anniversary performance blu ray of Phantom of the Opera which was nearly flawless.

I'm delighted to say I just received the Japanese import blu ray of this performance (which plays perfectly on a US blu ray player) and it redeems Les Miz at a level I wasn't prepared to hope for. I would consider this new blu ray of the West End staged performance on-par with the Phantom 25th anniversary, and the picture quality is incredible.

If you love Les Miz do yourself a huge favor and invest in this performance!!!

I have seen Les Misérables in London on stage 3 times! Every time was better than the previous. I have seen the 10th Anniversary and 25th anniversary DVD's over and over again. I now bought this Staged version from Amazon and watched it. OMG what a disaster it is !!! Alfie Boe of course is excellent the cast in its whole is great ,but for some reason the whole production ,as an ensemble, does not work in harmony.Maybe my ears are too sensitive -(do not think so) ,just very disappointed from this specific production.

Its a bit complicated to get your head around what the difference is with this staged concert and the normal show. But I think basically it was a pared down version of the show while it moved temporarily to a smaller theatre while waiting for the new Sondheim Theatre to be built. The sets are reduced and the stage and audience is much smaller. Why they felt it was necessary to film this version I'm not sure. But as with other Les Mis recorded versions it is a joy. However, I am not sure what it offers anything that the 1995 dream cast version and 25th anniversary version don't. Except perhaps Michael Ball as Javert, who is probably my favourite Javert I have seen. And it was very emotional when he reminds us that this is probably the last time he will perform Les Mis in the West End due to his ageing years.

This is definitely not to be watched as someone's first entry into the world of Les Mis. I recommend either reading the novel or watching more complete dramatic versions first (e.g. 2018 BBC), before moving on to the musical. And only once familiar with the musical should you watch this as a treat for fans 9 years after the last recorded version.

Everything on the screen has paled in impact compared to the original stage production which I attended a number of times in the 1980s.

And the movie was the worst example.

Finally, this production does justice to the score and the original stage production.

Les Miserables has been my favorite musical since I first saw it in LA in the 80s. I've seen all of the Anniversary specials and concerts as well as several love stage performances and this one is by far my favorite! I was overjoyed when I found it on Prime! Alfie Boe and Michael Ball are phenomenal as always, but even the rest of the cast lives up to the hype. Don't get me started on Bradley Jaden...wow! The extra performances at the end of the curtain calls is just the icing on the cake. If you are a Les Miz fan or even if you've never seen it, I think this is a must watch!