“ONE DAY MORE”

Like a blustery storm on a summer’s day in Brisbane, the ‘latest’ production of Les Miserables swept into town with little fanfare, acclaim or that much publicity (that I noticed), but certainly left its indelible mark on the City. This time, a whirlwind “arena spectacular” at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall, a world-class centre in the middle of a muddy wasteland, for a few short days. One of the classic musicals of our time, with a heart-wrenching storyline and a poignant soundtrack, it is something you never regret experiencing.

 

I first saw Les Mis some ten or so years ago in happier, more fertile, abundant times. I was so moved by the experience at QPAC, here in Brisbane, that I simply insisted that my children, 5 and 12 at the time, must also see it. Well, they were possible not so touched by the overwhelming moment, the re-telling of history, the sadness, the depths of despair meeting the heights of ecstacy in a storm of chaos, bloodshed, anguish, agony and profound, devastating loss. It was worth it to see it twice at the time. Though a hundred times might never be enough to appreciate this one in all its heart-breaking brilliance and captivating misery (pardon the pun).

 

Thus, when I discovered this “spectacular” was coming to Brisbane, I was hit by extreme sadness because I am no longer in a financial position to enjoy the things in life that make life worth living. I secretly hoped my children would not realise it was back. Though, all these years later, they might not be that concerned to miss out or even that interested in going. That would have certainly put my conscience at ease. There is nothing worse than not being able to experience the things you want to with your children simply because of financial hardship and stress. But there is a philosophy in life “to do it now, don’t wait”. If you want it, get it, if you want to buy it, buy it, if you want to go there, go there, if you want to see it, see it, if you want their number, ask for it. Work out the details later, just be wherever you’re being called to be and be whoever you want to be, surrounded by who you want in your life. If you’re compelled and drawn to do something, follow the path. Carpe diem. Well, the world we live in does not allow for such starry-eyed spontaneity, dreamy delirium, and impulsive acts of fulfillment and exhilaration.

 

Well, when my Daughter approached me about this musical and said something along the lines of that musical I took them to years ago was back and she was, in fact, interested, I was stunned and deeply moved. You never really know how your passions and pursuits influence your children until those moments. I was struck by an incredible amount of overwhelming sorrow and guilt that I could not take her and told her I had heard about it and we couldn’t go to this one. I thought she would forget about it and I then tried to forget about it. I yearned for those days when I didn’t even have to think about it, I could just get the tickets and go to whatever I wanted to go to and travel to wherever I wanted to travel to with my children.

 

I became sick a couple of weeks ago and have been preoccupied with other super stressful matters and Les Mis was the furthest thing from my mind. But as per usual, the Newscorp papers, tend to remind me of the things I love and hate about this world we all live in. I never read the article a few days ago, but the headline read something along the lines of, I chose Les Mis over State of Origin (and the journalist/writer had no regrets). I wouldn’t have any regrets either, there’ll always be another State of Origin, but you never know when Les Mis will be back in Brisbane on such a grand scale. So Les Mis was yet again placed firmly at the forefront of my mind. Again, new age thinkers refer to such moments as “gentle nudges” from the Universe to chase after whatever it is or do whatever it is you’re being reminded of and called to pursue. Some ignore it, others see it as a sign and find a way or make a way where there appears to be none.

 

Curiosity got the better of me mid-week and I checked to see, you know, was it still showing, were tickets still on sale, more importantly, were “cheap seats” still available, and even more important than all of that, was my Daughter still interested in going and was my Son interested. I sent a quick text to Miss 14 and received a definitive YES. But it was more like a not this time from my Son. With the wonders of Afterpay and on a wing and a prayer because I have no idea how I’ll pay back the money as hundreds of dollars are drained out of my bank account each month for a loan on a defective used motor vehicle I purchased last year that has been garaged for some time now and was with mechanics since the day before my Birthday. Despite all that, I seized the day and got the tickets. You never know when you will get to see these productions again in Australia. Indeed, you never regret seeing something like Les Mis as there is no “cost”, It is a timeless experience and an investment in your soul that stays with you long after the final curtain falls.

 

My Daughter was delighted when she found out I was getting tickets and we were going. We went to the show on Saturday, 31 May at 2pm. A wet, windy and cold afternoon in Brisbane, we got a cab to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and found our seats “with an obstructed view”. The “obstructed view” turned out to be inconsequential and did not detract from the depth and magic of the experience, the power and wonder of the performances and the impact of the music that touches your heart deeply and stirs your soul. The music, the lyrics, the melodies, the harmonies, the composition, transcend time, drawing you in, consuming the senses and igniting the imagination. A musical masterpiece as agonisingly beautiful and profound as the emotional symphony the audience is drawn into.

 

From the opening notes, I was tingling all over, covered in goosebumps and within minutes I was in tears and utterly overwhelmed, with little space for composure. In the context of everything that is going on in the world, it was hard not to feel genuine grief, torment, frustration, and sorrow. It really is a journey of feeling, traversing a deep and at times, treacherous emotional landscape with all its ups and downs, hills and valleys, twists, turns, shadows and storms, sunshine and the glow of moonlight, and the promise of a brighter path ahead. Cold comfort as the audience navigates the emotional storm and deep abyss of this tale of misery and woe, tempered with moments of bittersweet gladness and contentment at times.

 

I think being somewhat advanced in years now, I can conclude that age either hardens the human heart or softens the human spirit. I seem to have definitely softened. It was a heavy, intense experience, difficult to control at times. The cast were phenomenal and the crew really have eclipsed other efforts at this stage production. Musicals are often uplifting and celebratory, but Les Mis, takes us to the depths of our souls and to the darkest corners of our character. It is an engaging testament to how goodness somehow can triumph even in the face of tremendous loss and sadness. I pay tribute to the Cast and Crew of Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular for helping us weather the storm in the sanctuary of our souls and bringing calm to the emotional chaos that is Les Miserables. It is not a happy tale, but it shows us that human nature is inherently good and that compassion, mercy, love, acceptance and safety can be found in the worst moments of our life and in the most unexpected places and ways. Not everyone will be with us at the end, but it shows us that life involves incredible sadness, loss, grief and growth, and finding that “a little fall of rain… will make the flowers grow”. So plant lots of seeds where you find your grief and sadness overwhelms you and the tears flow freely. It takes strength to navigate the journey of life and Les Mis is an emotional expedition into that deep, dark cave as it explores a multitude of life’s themes and challenges. It is a tale that encompasses all aspects of human nature and introduces us to the broad spectrum of human emotion.

 

Desperation, captivity, the perils of the law when it offends the pursuit of justice and the dangers of unwavering commitment to unfair laws and the toll on the human soul. Cruel and unusual punishment and the wasted years spent confined to a jail cell simply for the crime of trying to help loved ones survive. The unforgiving, merciless and ruthless nature of the powerful and privileged. Cunning, deception, greed, lust, and depravity. Regret, remorse, atonement, redemption, second chances, and forgiveness. Anger, courage to fight for your values and beliefs, strength, unity, rebellion, sacrifice, risk, liberation. True friendship, unrequited love and longing for the unattainable, despair, desire and passion, romantic love, and connection. Family, motherly love and affection, hope and dreams, belonging, the innocence of youth, and the turbulence of life and death. Struggle and suffering, faith, freedom, mercy, compassion, grace, salvation, grief and loss, nostalgia and reminiscing, trauma, torment, triumph, truth and honesty. Caring for those who need help and understanding, not harsh words and judgement. Above all, despite everything, the promise that “one day more” will bring better, easier times ahead, light and joy, the answers to our prayers, the promise of something more than what’s been, the hope that in the end, what we want is waiting for us to grab it and cherish it, if we succeed and rise out of the dark world we are catapulted in and shackled to. A powerful reminder that in the lightest moments in life, there is darkness, and in the darkest moments, there are flickers of light to be found and dreams to be had. Persevere and just keep going because you never know who you will run into that could change your world, as Fantine and Cosette discovered when Jean Jalvert entered their worlds and as Marius and Eponine discovered when she delivered the note. A heart full of love yields tremendous power, humanity, generosity of spirit and connection. Mostly, Les Mis alights the realisation that when life kills one dream, it is within us to dream another dream, as dreams breathe life into our desires and propel us towards our destiny. They are the sad reminder of what has gone and could have been, but they are also the special inspiration to be who we are meant to be in the unexplored realms of possibilities and potential. Dreams are our own unique gift to ourselves to harness our power to enter new dimensions and not yearn or dwell too long on what was, or what might have been, but to imagine what can be and use that disappointment and despair of the past as fuel to drive you onwards towards new dreams. Les Mis is a tale about how the past miseries and disappointments can still direct you towards a destiny that can lighten and gladden your heart, one way or another. Fantine dreamed this new dream for her Cosette.

 

As usual, each performer brought the tale to life with all the skill and dedication of seasoned actors, propelling us back to a time where falling on hard times and being born into poverty really had devastating consequences. A time where fighting for what you believe in comes at a heavy price that someone must pay, for the greater good. A time much similar to our own, where no-one is coming to save you or help you and the authorities don’t care and are more interested in cruelty and punishment. A time where those in poverty or in trouble, are simply waiting to die, not waiting for mercy, a second chance and a new beginning. Capturing the essence of each character superbly, the pain of their torment and the depths of their suffering completely, and the heart of the story with authenticity and magnetism, the performances were extremely spellbinding from the start. The cast draws you in and as with musicals, you really do feel like you are there, part of it, experiencing it and feeling their pain, joy, nostalgia, longing, and loss. I was particularly touched by Cosette’s (played by Jo Stephenson on this day, a lead truly in the making) performance throughout, the hummingbird melodies utterly awe-inspiring, a real “WOW!” moment, and of course, Eponine’s performance was heart wrenchingly powerful, while Fantine’s “I Dreamed A Dream” had me instantly in tears and touched a deep nerve. The harmonising duets and trios simply stirred the soul and touched the heart. Killian Donnelly as Jean Valjean and Bradley Jaden as Jalvert were exceptional and remarkable immersed in their performances. Matt Lucas and Marina Prior brought much needed comic relief throughout though it was tempered by the intensity and emotional overload of the experience, plus the depravity of their characters reminds us that some are quite possibly beyond redemption and do not care. Just sterling performances from everyone involved with the talented children a gift to the moment. The set was impressive and the orchestra wonderful. (Apologies if our collective eyesight mis-identified the performers from our vantage point in the arena). The standing ovation across the arena at the end was a wonderful tribute and show of praise for yet another outstanding performance of a classic without compare.

 

As the last performance in Australia takes to the stage and “the curtain shortly falls” on another impressive, lightning season of Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular where we are reminded of the powerful themes of Victor Hugo’s epic, as timely and relevant now, than ever before, I feel privileged and grateful that I was able to see it again. This time, it was my Daughter who wanted to go with me. As we walked away in the pouring rain, it was a reinvigorating, intense, and overwhelming moment in time. A reminder that “in the rain, the pavement shines like silver, all the lights are misty in the river, in the darkness, the trees are full of starlight” and if all you see is your heart’s desire, whatever that entails, whatever it means to you, then that is enough to make it through to one day more, because, to love another person is to see the face of God. A timeless, most rewarding pursuit, a divinely orchestrated miracle, when you get there.

 

 

Heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the cast and crew involved in the Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular performed in Brisbane on Saturday, 31^st May, 2025 at 2pm.

 

CREDITS:

 

Victor Hugo (1862)

Cameron McKintosh (2024-2025)

The Cast and Crew of Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular (31^st May, 2025 at 2pm, Brisbane Entertainment Centre)