This listing is for Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert VHS Clamshell Case. 

Actors: Les Miserables-in Concert

Run time: 2 hours and 40 minutes

Release date: August 22, 1997

Studio: Columbia/Tristar Studios 

The 10th anniversary of the international musical sensation Les Misérables is celebrated in this 1995 concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. The all-star cast features Colm Wilkinson (Valjean), Ruthie Henshall (Fantine), Michael Ball (Marius), Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Lea Salonga (Eponine), Philip Quast (Javert), and Alun Armstrong (Thenardier). Favorite songs from the Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg score include "Who Am I?", "I Dreamed a Dream," "Master of the House," "One Day More," "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "Bring Him Home."

This is truly the "dream cast" promised on the cover. This cast puts together most of the performers who performed their characters the best in all the appearances of Les Miserables: Colm Wilkinson (Jean Valjean), Philip Quast (Inspector Javert), Michael Ball (Marius), Lea Salonga (Eponine), Ruthie Henshall. The Thenardiers, Cosette, and Fantine I saw this summer at London, I believe, are better than the ones on this tape, and Anthony Warlow is a much, much better Enjolras than Michael Maguire (listen to him on teh Complete Symphonic Recording, which is another Les Miserables cast that you MUST get). I always say that Les Miserables has the strongest and most moving songs in the world. This video only proves my point. While we didn't get the powerful voice of Anthony Warlow, Michael Maguire delivered an excellent Enjolras. Listen to the following songs, and read my description of them:

- Prologue, The Work Song: Depressing and dark. No song in Phantom of the Opera, set in a similar time frame, delivered so powerful an image as this. Philip Quast is especially horrible (not his voice, but his personality) here. He sounds very contemptuous. In contrast, Colm Wilkinson delivers a touching performance when he is set free.

- What have I done?: Sad but hopeful. Notice the contrast between this and Javert's end song, "Suicide".

- At the End of the Day: I got confused here. The tone of the song suggested happiness, but the words suggested sadness. Very powerful, and one of my favorite songs.

- I Dreamed a Dream: Like End of the Day, I Dreamed a Dream gives me mixed emotions. At first it begins hopeful, but then ends up to be a very sad song, indeed. If the performer is very good, as Ruthie Henshall is, then she might have you bawling your eyes out this early.

- Who am I?: A song of self-discovery. Uplifting and strong. Good luck trying not to be moved by this song, because you can't.

- Fantine's Death and The Confrontation: WAAAHH! This is one of the saddest songs in the play. I loved Fantine's tragic character (I like Eponine more, though).

- Castle on a Cloud: Sad but also uplifting. It was sung beautifully on the video, inspite of the tiny explosion that occurred in the back that surprised the young performer. It's a pity that it's Little Cosette's only song.

- Stars: THE BEST SONG IN LES MISERABLES. This song made me love the character of Javert, because it was sung so beautifully. It shows Javert to be a man of virtue and honor, and is hampered only by his stubbornness and inflexibility.

- Red and Black: Proud and very powerful. Michael Maguire sings this one very well alongside Michael Ball and the students.

- Do You Hear the People Sing?: The first song I memorized from Les Miserables. It was my favorite for a long time before I actually saw the musical on stage.

- A Heart Full of Love: Happy and sad. Again, mixed emotions. This is because I feel for the happiness and contentment between Cosette and Marius, but I like Eponine more, and I felt that she deserved Marius.

- One Day More!: My second favorite song following Stars. I cannot describe the effect it has on me. Dear God, so strong! Especially the last part, with the hundreds of Les Miserables performers standing and singing all at once. Staggering!

- On My Own: The song that best exemplifies Eponine. It is sung by Lea Salonga, the best singer in the world. I recently saw her in our home country of the Philippines as Kim in Miss Saigon, and she has not lost a bit of her talent.

- A Little Fall of Rain: Even sadder than Fantine's Death. I won't tell you more about it, but you WILL at least be close to crying at this point of the performance. Michael Ball and Lea Salonga duet? How could you NOT cry?

- Drink With Me: A little sad, a little hopeful. This is another of my favorite songs, if only because of the message of unity it proclaims.

- Bring Him Home: A very good song, though not my favorite, but it is still strong in its own way.

- The Final Battle: This is a short song, but one of the strongest in the performance. Listen to Anthony Warlow, not Michael Maguire. MM really doesn't give the power behind his voice necessary for The Final Battle, but Warlow does. Get the Complete Symphonic Recording with the International Cast.

- Javert's Suicide: Remember what I said about Valjean's What Have I Done? Listen to this for a parallel in music but a sharp contrast in message.

- Empty Chairs at Empty Tables: Another sad song. I must be nearing the word limit already, so I'll keep my reviews short. The most powerful moment is when the students appear behind Marius so suddenly, though this is even stronger when actually performed on stage and not in a concert.

- Epilogue: Sad but hopeful. If you love Valjean you will cry here, too, but you will be moved by the ending scene.

Well, that's the review. I hope this inspires you to get this video. It's not a replacement for watching Les Miserables on stage, but more like something to keep you occupied until you do see it.

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