While watching a revival production of Lionel Bart's 'Oliver' in London, Les Miserables Co-creator Alain Boublil saw the similarities between literature's favorite little street urchins Oliver Twist, from Charles Dicken's novel of the same name, and Gavroche, from Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, which sparked the idea to cowrite the novel-to-stage adaptation of the latter with Claude-Michel Schonberg more than 30 years ago.
- 4/9/2016
- by Oliver Oliveros
- BroadwayWorld.com
Today in 1987, Les Miserables opened at the Broadway Theatre, where it ran for 6680 performances. Written by Claude-Michel Schonberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables is set in early 19th-century France. The plot follows the stories of many characters as they struggle for redemption and revolution. An ensemble that includes prostitutes, student revolutionaries, factory workers, and others joins the lead characters. In January 2010, it played its ten-thousandth performance in London, at Queen's Theatre in London's West End. On 3 October 2010, the show celebrated its 25th anniversary with three productions running in the same city the original show at London's West End the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary touring production at the original home of the show, the Barbican Centre and the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary concert at London's O2 Arena. The original Broadway cast included Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean, David Bryant as Marius, Judy Kuhn as Cosette, Michael Maguire as Enjolras,...
- 3/12/2016
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
People who enjoy a good cry, today is your lucky day: The film version of Les Misérables is now out on Blu-ray and DVD. The epic musical has been running all over the world for over 26 years, and according to movie producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh, who also produced the original show, an idea to make a movie version has been kicking around for nearly as long, but only recently – despite an occasional exception — have movie musicals been seen as a commercially successful idea. “Musicals 25 years ago were very few and far between,” Mackintosh explained to EW. “I think in the...
- 3/22/2013
- by Erin Strecker
- EW - Inside Movies
Today in 1987, Les Miserables opened at the Broadway Theatre, where it ran for 6680 performances. Written by Claude-Michel Schonberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables is set in early 19th-century France. The plot follows the stories of many characters as they struggle for redemption and revolution. In January 2010, it played its ten-thousandth performance in London, at Queen's Theatre in London's West End. On 3 October 2010, the show celebrated its 25th anniversary with three productions running in the same city the original show at London's West End the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary touring production at the original home of the show, the Barbican Centre and the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary concert at London's O2 Arena. The original Broadway cast included Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean, David Bryant as Marius, Judy Kuhn as Cosette, Michael Maguire as Enjolras, Frances Ruffelle as Eponine, Braden Danner as Gavroche, Donna Vivino as Young Cosette, Jennifer Butt as Madame Thenardier,...
- 3/12/2013
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
Tom Hooper's film is a colossal effort – after 158 minutes, you really have experienced something. It's just not clear what
Like a diabolically potent combination of Lionel Bart and Leni Riefenstahl, the movie version of Les Misérables has arrived, based on the hit stage show adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel set among the deserving poor in 19th-century France, which climaxes with the anti-monarchist Paris uprising of 1832. Even as a non-believer in this kind of "sung-through" musical, I was battered into submission by this mesmeric and sometimes compelling film, featuring a performance of dignity and intelligence from Hugh Jackman, and an unexpectedly vulnerable singing turn from that great, big, grumpy old bear, Russell Crowe. With the final rousing chorus of "Do you hear the people sing?", the revolutionary-patriotic fervour is so bizarrely stirring, you'll feel like marching out of the cinema, wrapped in the tricolour, and travelling to Russia to...
Like a diabolically potent combination of Lionel Bart and Leni Riefenstahl, the movie version of Les Misérables has arrived, based on the hit stage show adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel set among the deserving poor in 19th-century France, which climaxes with the anti-monarchist Paris uprising of 1832. Even as a non-believer in this kind of "sung-through" musical, I was battered into submission by this mesmeric and sometimes compelling film, featuring a performance of dignity and intelligence from Hugh Jackman, and an unexpectedly vulnerable singing turn from that great, big, grumpy old bear, Russell Crowe. With the final rousing chorus of "Do you hear the people sing?", the revolutionary-patriotic fervour is so bizarrely stirring, you'll feel like marching out of the cinema, wrapped in the tricolour, and travelling to Russia to...
- 1/11/2013
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
When Eddie Redmayne isn't giving support to some of the biggest stars in Hollywood -- recent co-workers include Michelle Williams and Hugh Jackman -- he's busy being the next big thing. That's why the New York Times used 1,200 words to profile the 30-year-old British actor this past Sunday, and why he's negotiating to co-star opposite Channing Tatum in the new Andy and Lana Wachowski film. It's also why Redmayne has awards buzz: He's a dark horse candidate to earn a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his "Les Miserables" role, an impressive feat considering the film also features lush supporting performances from big names like Russell Crowe and Sacha Baron Cohen.
In "Les Miserables," Redmayne stars as Marius, the romantic lead of the film's second half, an upstanding youngster who falls head over heels in love with Cosette (Amanda Seyfried). It's a role Michael Ball made famous in the original London production of "Les Miserables,...
In "Les Miserables," Redmayne stars as Marius, the romantic lead of the film's second half, an upstanding youngster who falls head over heels in love with Cosette (Amanda Seyfried). It's a role Michael Ball made famous in the original London production of "Les Miserables,...
- 12/18/2012
- by Christopher Rosen
- Huffington Post
Adapted from the stage musical, which itself was adapted from Victor Hugo's 1862 French novel, Les Miserables is instantly massive as prisoners heave on giant ropes, pulling a massive ship into the port at Toulon. They sing in tune with each pull, "Look down, look down... Don't look them in the eye." It's here we meet Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) for the first time, head shaven and scarred. His sentence of nineteen years for stealing a single loaf of bread has come to an end, but a strict parole has been put in place, limiting his freedom under the watchful eye of the dedicated inspector of police Javert (Russell Crowe). These opening moments take place in the year 1815 and the film will cover the next 33 years as the people rise up to claim their country, an ex-con will become an adoptive father and a young girl will fall in love.
- 12/6/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The filmmakers of Les Miserables set out to find what director Tom Hooper often refers to as .the perfect storm of actors.. Elaborates producer Eric Fellner: .We needed three things from our cast: star power, gifted actors and accomplished singers, and we were blessed to hit a moment in time where that group of actors exists. The cast that we see in the film is pretty much everyone we originally went after.. This was a major attraction for Hooper when he considered an adaptation of a fully through-sung musical. He explains: .I wanted to take a risk and do something very different in a different genre. From the beginning, what excited me was the idea of doing it live. I don.t think I would have done it if it turned out not to be possible to direct the film live, because no matter how good the synchronization is of actors singing to playback,...
- 12/1/2012
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Today in 1987, Les Miserables opened at the Broadway Theatre, where it ran for 6680 performances. Written by Claude-Michel Schnberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables is set in early 19th-century France. The plot follows the stories of many characters as they struggle for redemption and revolution. An ensemble that includes prostitutes, student revolutionaries, factory workers, and others joins the lead characters. In January 2010, it played its ten-thousandth performance in London, at Queen's Theatre in London's West End. On 3 October 2010, the show celebrated its 25th anniversary with three productions running in the same city the original show at London's West End the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary touring production at the original home of the show, the Barbican Centre and the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary concert at London's O2 Arena. The original Broadway cast included Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean, David Bryant as Marius, Judy Kuhn as Cosette, Michael Maguire as Enjolras, Frances Ruffelle as ponine,...
- 3/12/2012
- by Stage Tube
- BroadwayWorld.com
As a new generation can now find, the heroine of Les Enfants du Paradis isn't one you easily forget
Is Les Enfants du Paradis the greatest film ever? A survey of film critics said so in 1996, and the British public will soon be able to decide for themselves. A digitally restored version of the film, whose prints had for two decades been too damaged to be screened, is to be released this week.
I was 12 when I first saw Les Enfants du Paradis, at the Ranelagh theatre in Paris, a stone's throw from Balzac's house. The neo-Renaissance theatre screened this story of mimes, actors, impresarios and swindlers every week-end for more than 20 years until the 35mm print became too fragile. Two generations of cinephiles did as we did, going up the little street like pilgrims on a quest. If God was a film director, he would have made this film,...
Is Les Enfants du Paradis the greatest film ever? A survey of film critics said so in 1996, and the British public will soon be able to decide for themselves. A digitally restored version of the film, whose prints had for two decades been too damaged to be screened, is to be released this week.
I was 12 when I first saw Les Enfants du Paradis, at the Ranelagh theatre in Paris, a stone's throw from Balzac's house. The neo-Renaissance theatre screened this story of mimes, actors, impresarios and swindlers every week-end for more than 20 years until the 35mm print became too fragile. Two generations of cinephiles did as we did, going up the little street like pilgrims on a quest. If God was a film director, he would have made this film,...
- 11/7/2011
- by Agnès Poirier
- The Guardian - Film News
The theatrical event of the year is almost here! You've never been this close to the barricade! Les Mis?rables will be performed at the Phoenix Theatre from February 18 - March 22, 2009. Experience this modern musical masterpiece based on Victor Hugo?s epic novel like never before. In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Epic, grand and uplifting. Experience the emotion and grandeur of Les Mis?rables in Phoenix Theatre?s intimate theatre! The lead roles will be played by Christopher B. Carl (Javert), E.J. Dohring (Gavroche), Lisa Fogel (Fantine), Kyle Harris (Enjolras), Beau Heckman (Thornadier), Jenny Hintze...
- 1/20/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
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