“Les Misérables” at the Théâtre du Châtelet: the great triumph

Start at the end: a long standing ovation lasting several minutes for all the artists. At the Théâtre du Châtelet, the public gave a triumphant welcome to the musical Les Misérables during the premiere on Thursday, November 12. Gavroche, Cosette, Javert, Jean Valjean and all the other characters were able to deeply move the spectators. The work of Victor Hugo has not a wrinkle.

The fresco leaves room for the narrative on the side of the dominated, gives voice to those who are deprived of it. Ordinary heroes in extraordinary situations. “Little beings, and even nothing, to whom we are not usually given a voice. The common point among these characters is their thirst for freedom and emancipation. But this desire is constantly thwarted by a social reality from which they are almost never able to escape,” explains, in his note of intent, Ladislas Chollat, director.

“With the riot brewing, Paris resembles a volcano”, this text does not date from 2026, but from the 19th century. The show resonates strangely with current events. Carried by a generous and inspired cast, the musical is making a strong comeback at the Théâtre du Châtelet. The paintings follow one another fluidly. And the solos trigger enthusiastic applause every time.

The staging is extremely effective. The Hugolian work, Ladislas Chollat ​​version, is twilight and intimate against a backdrop of social revolt. Dark, it is crossed by flashes and moments of lightness carried by the unbearable and endearing couple of Thénardiers (David Alexis and Christine Bonnard), who alone embody predation and brutality. They are victims and perpetrators at the same time.

Jean Valjean, the main character, aptly played by Benoît Rameau, is prey to inner torment. Man, crushed by an unfair destiny, runs after redemption. For their part, Océane Demontis in the role of Eponine and Sébastien Duchange as Inspector Jabert, all in restrained tension, shine with their stage presence and their vocal performance.

A true plea for social justice, the musical Les Misérables was created at the Palais des Sports in Paris in 1980, directed by Robert Hossein. However, it was its English adaptation by Cameron Mackintosh in 1885 that achieved worldwide success.

However, when it was created, the press was not kind, before expressing its mea culpa. Since then, the work, translated into twenty-seven languages, has been one of the greatest successes of its genre with more than 150,000 performances in nearly 500 cities around the world, 130 million spectators, more than 150 international awards. How to explain this phenomenal success? Perhaps by the universality and timelessness of the work. At the Théâtre du Châtelet, the triumph cannot be denied.