I make no secret of the fact that I absolutely love Les Miserables. Or that I’ve been excited beyond belief at the prospect of seeing the show again during its late-summer stop-off in Birmingham. 

The experience - last night - did not let me down. 

Whether you’re a returning fan, like me, or a ‘first timer’, like the friend who came with me, this brilliant new staging will take you on a no-holds-barred emotional rollercoaster ride, the kind that can only be achieved by live theatre.

Based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel of the same name and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Les Mis is the longest-running musical in the West End and features blockbusting music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil. Delighting audiences since 1985, the show has been watched by more than 120 million people.

Telling a story of good versus evil, revolution, personal sacrifice, redemption and the all-encompassing power of love, Les Miserables follows the journey of central character Jean Valjean, here played by Dean Chisnall. Valjean is a French peasant released from prison after 19 years by the officer in charge of the prison workforce, a man named Javert (Nic Greenshields). After being humbled by a bishop with a tremendous act of mercy, Valjean breaks his parole to start his life anew, becoming a well-respected mayor and factory owner. He also becomes a guardian to a child named Cosette following the death of her mother, Fantine. 

Javert vows to bring Valjean back to prison, and his relentless pursuit forces Valjean and Cosette to take permanent flight. Their subsequent journey brings them into contact with a group of young idealists in Paris as they attempt to overthrow the government at a street barricade, an undertaking which has devastating consequences.

It’s difficult to identify highlights in a show which is so routinely brilliant. The magnificent score includes many much-loved and well-known songs. I Dreamed A Dream, sung by Fantine (Rachelle Ann Go), and On My Own, performed by Eponine (Nathania Ong) were heartbreaking and superb. Master Of The House, sung by innkeeper Thenardier and his long-suffering wife (Ian Hughes and Helen Walsh), brought a dose of well-timed humour to proceedings. A personal favourite of mine, Drink With Me, was poignant and harrowing. Stars, sung by Javert, earned rapturous applause. But the pièce de résistance has to be Valjean’s rendition of Bring Him Home, which must surely have brought most of the audience to tears (if they weren’t already wet-faced with the drama of it all!).

With superb casting, impeccable performances, stunning vocals and a fantastic chemistry at play between the actors, Les Miserables last night did what it does best - showcase the magic of live theatre in all its resplendent glory.

5 stars! 5 stars! 5 stars! 

Reviewed by Sue Hull

This truly majestic production shows at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 27 August. Be quick to book your ticket, though, as availability is already limited.