Les Miserables for me is one of the greatest musicals, it has a story that really hits you in the guts emotionally(in a good way) and it is also one of those musicals where I don't dislike a single song. Valjean and Javert are also hugely compelling characters. The cast(and also that this is Les Miserables we are talking about) were reason enough to see this, and I also wanted to see how it would compare to the brilliant 10th-year anniversary performance. I was also hoping that even in concert form that it would bring out the emotion of the music and story. It certainly does not disappoint and it certainly has the emotion, I do give the edge to the 10th, but the previous reviewers have summed up perfectly what is so good about this performance.

But I do have to agree that it is not quite perfect, though the cons are far outweighed by the pros. Apart from a relatively good Empty Chairs and Empty Tables, Nick Jonas is miscast and very out of his depth as Marius, his voice is rather thin and gets very nasal when forced, and I found him rather dull on a dramatic front. Compared to Michael Ball, he's not even in the same league in my opinion. Katie Hall is a little better though. She is charming and likable enough as Cosette, but not much more than that, and she is not helped by the fact that Cosette is not a very interesting character at all really. Her voice is a little uneven, the middle register is silvery and lyrical but the top register has a tendency to become shrill.

Everything else ranges from very, very good to spot-on. The costumes are evocative, and the lighting especially in Empty Chairs and Empty Tables(very haunting) gives each scene atmosphere. It is staged very effectively too and it is very sympathetic to the story and the lyrics with all the emotional power and thrust needed. I found it very easy to be moved by Empty Chairs, and it was also a clever and tasteful piece of staging. One Day More is also spine-tingling. The orchestral playing made the music a feast for the ears, the textures and instrumental balances are done perfectly doing very well to accommodate the singers. The chorus are involved in the drama, sing beautifully and enunciate clearly, especially good in Do You Hear the People Sing and One Day More.

Alfie Boe's Valjean was just wonderful. He may not quite erase memories of Colm Wilkinson, who probably had a little more emotion, but Boe is certainly not devoid of that. He has a ringing tenor voice that shows no sign of being taxed by this demanding role, he commands the stage with authority as he ought and he brings out all the complexities and nuances Valjean's character has. Bring Him Home really sounds like a prayer(the right approach as that's what the song is essentially),and staged in a way that will leave Les Mis fans absolutely delighted. Norm Lewis' Javert also stands out. He is authoritative, but also conflicted and subtle. His Suicide scene really gave me the chills. He also possesses a lovely baritone sound, not quite as rich or powerful as that of Phillip Quast, but never is it one that's dry and lightweight. Like Quast, he has the harshness of Javert but also a sympathetic side.

Lea Salonga is truly moving as Fantine with a voice of an angel, and I do agree that she is more suited to Fantine than she is to Eponine. I Dreamed a Dream really brings the house down on an emotional scale. Samantha Barks is also perfectly cast, her Eponine is feisty but also heart-breaking. Her rendition of On My Own is pitch-perfect and very deeply felt. Ramin Karmimloo's Enjolras is excellent. Matt Lucas is surprisingly good as Thernadier, he hasn't got the best voice but has a very exuberant stage presence while managing to make the character as hateful as possible(even if he just lacks Alun Armstrong's sociopathic edge). Jenny Galloway's Madame Thernadier is perfect, just like in the 10th anniversary performance.

To conclude, a really well done performance of Les Mis, with almost everything perfectly first-rate. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The concert edition of Les Misérables. Cameron Mackintosh knows how to slice and dice his hit musicals for different revenue streams.

Alfie Boe is Jean Valjean and he has the voice to do justice to the songs.

It takes a while to get used to the concert setting but after a few hit songs, you get used to it. I Dreamed A Dream is knocked out of the park.

It really is long, I thought without the acting bits this would be shorter.

As this is an anniversary celebration, some of the original cast return at the end.

Fans of the musical will obviously like this more than the casual viewer such as me.

Every performance was impeccable. Many of the performers rival and in some cases surpass those of the 10th Anniversary Dreamcast. Seeing the show on the big screen with a bigger sound system really make the nuances of the genius score come to life. What is so great is the way they made use of soft split screens to be able to watch multiple performers' reactions and "dialog."

Norm Lewis, whose subtle facial expressions and genuine passion commanded the stage/screen, sang Javert with such power and depth that I actually, for the first time, empathized with his character. Alife Boe's Val Jean was brilliant, with an operatic quality. Samantha Barks shined as Eponine with a stunning vocal performance. Ramin Karimloo was a standout with his brilliant portrayal of Enjolras. I didn't quite understand the decision of casting Nick Jonas as Marius. He really gave it his all and had some nice moments in the sweeter songs, but lacked the vocal fullness and attack for the more powerful songs. It was adequate but uncomfortably contrasted by his much stronger, seasoned cast mates.

The occasional cut to various instrumental highlights was a wonderful addition and seamlessly included the orchestra as an important part of the ensemble. The encores with the original cast, backed by a chorus of hundreds was breathtaking. If you're a Les Mis fan, this movie is a must.