Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert (1995)

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the West end production, and filmed in October of 1995 at the Royal Albert Hall. Known as the “Dream Cast in Concert” because Mackintosh hand-selected the cast. Colm Wilkinson reprised his role as Valjean after starring in the original West End and Broadway productions. Philip Quast was cast as Inspector Javert after the producers of the show witnessed his performance in a musical production in his hometown in Australia. Wilkinson and Quast are widely recognized as the “Dream Casting” of the idolized roles of Valjean and Javert.

This presentation uses a “modernised” and more heavily orchestrated score than that of the original musical. It follows the traditional “musicals-in-concert” format with the cast lined up against a set of microphones with the orchestra and chorus behind them. The entire company wear costumes and use only necessary props (such as Javert’s baton, Thénardier’s notebook, etc.). Apart from minor movement on the concert stage, the performers do not participate in major action scenes. Where necessary, the video switches to action from the stage production.

A few action-based scenes from the musical are not included in the concert – such as the street brawl broken up by Javert, Gavroche’s death, and the confrontation between Marius and Thénardier at the wedding feast. Some musical numbers, such as “At the End of the Day”, “Lovely Ladies”, “The Runaway Cart”, “In My Life”, and “Turning” were also shortened.

The programme ends with an encore in which seventeen international actors who portray Jean Valjean in their respective countries join Wilkinson on stage to each sing a few bars of “Do You Hear the People Sing?” in their native languages. They are then joined by the entire cast and choir to sing the last verse of “One Day More”, receiving a standing ovation. Red, white, and blue balloons, as well as confetti, fall from the ceiling; sparklers erupt on stage as the show finishes.