Powerfully perfect production of one of the world's favourite musicals lifts the roof off the Hydro

Les Miserables, The Arena Spectacular, The Hydro, Glasgow, October 4 2024 *****

THERE are simply times you know you are in the presence of greatness . . . and this is one of them.

When it comes to duos Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean and Michael Ball as Javert are right up there the other greats - Lennon & McCartney, Laurel & Hardy, Morecambe & Wise or bacon and eggs.

It is fitting that in the opening number each begins from an elevated platform because these are true giants of musical theatre.

This arena tour is a bit different to the normal Les Mis staging. There is virtually no set nor curtain; the show rises and falls by its actors aided by the most incredible lighting.

Paule Constable and Warren Letton’s lighting vision is sublime.

The lighting rigs come down to give the impression of the barricade, although none actually exists in this incarnation.

And the subtle lighting changes to signify death, rapid rifle rattle and stars are an absolute triumph.

For 40 years the show has played out in theatres, community centres and schools around the world since Boublil and Schonberg formed the idea of a musical based on the somewhat turgid Victor Hugo novel.

And it simply never gets old.

This time round it is stripped back for a staged version but there is never a point at which you feel cheated.

And that is down to the incredible talent on stage.

Boe’s Bring Him Home and Ball’s Stars are obvious standouts but Ball’s tortured Soliloquy shows the master at his acting best.

However, this is far from a two-man show. There is an entire cast of stars.

James D Gish’s Enjolras, Jac Yarrow’s Marius and Emily Bautista’s Eponine are captivating. And even relatively small parts like the Bishop of Digne, sung so wonderfully by Jeremy Secomb, had a huge impact.

The show was nearly stolen though by the hilarious Thenardiers, Gavin Lee and veteran Bonnie Langford. The former child star in particular showed us the wonderful versatility which has kept her at the top of her game for more than five decades.

But the real find of the night was Beatrice Penny-Toure as Cosette. I doubt if anyone has ever sung the role better.

Genuinely though, if you took this cast and stuck them in sweat reeking school gym hall with no costumes or lighting tricks you’d still leave thinking you had seen the best show ever created.

The much lauded Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg were in Glasgow to take their own bows alongside theatre impresario Cameron Mackintosh - demonstrating the love and confidence they have in this arena spectacular.

If you can still get a ticket for this show it will be a miracle but if you have any kind of hotline to the heavens get ringing now - you do not want to miss this one; it's unlikely to get better than this.

• Run ends on Sunday in Glasgow but you can catch it in Aberdeen from October 17.

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