Arts
Les Mis: Unforgettable moments and melodies
In the second in a series of interviews with the cast of Les Misérables, we hear from the actors playing the lead roles of Jean Valjean, Inspector Javert and Fantine.
Anoj Wijayaratne as Enjolras
Each character has their own unforgettable moments on stage, each their own melodies already embedded in the hearts of generations of fans. This is what they had to say about their roles and their time on the show:
Jehan Aloysius as Jean Valjean
Last seen in: The Phantom of the Opera
What has this production taught you?
It’s important to rediscover the essence of the role, despite being familiar with the role for 19 years. There is always a new energy that can be added and explored.
The role is vocally and physically challenging, so the spinal and knee injuries I have acquired through previous shows are something I always need to grapple with while performing.
What should we know about your character?
Valjean is not really a saint, but he does signify the good in each of us, as well as the ability to redeem our lives by how we live it. To me, Valjean’s violent passion is tempered by his duty, and his lonely quest seems to be a journey away from hell into the arms of God.
Your favourite moment in the show?
Valjean’s final prayer and confession to Cosette at his deathbed, which leads him to heaven. The scene ends with Valjean’s beautiful final lines “to love another person is to see the face of God”.
Rehan Almeida as Jean Valjean
Last seen in: The Phantom of the Opera
What has this production taught you?
This is by far the most challenging role I have had to play thus far but also the most enjoyable. It is incredibly challenging as it requires a lot of effort to be put in physically, mentally, vocally and virtually every other discipline involved in musical theatre.
It has also exposed me to an amazing cast whose love and determination is making this a truly magical experience.
What should we know about your character?
It is a wonderful experience to share this role with Jehan who has taught me virtually everything I know on stage. That being said we are interpreting the role quite differently. I choose to play this character as an absolute raw human being who chooses to change his life to one of love and compassion.
It is a complicated journey, but the music really assists you in making that journey.
Your favourite moment in the show?
It is hard to pick one scene in a musical of this nature which is so rich. I am very fond of Valjean’s ‘Bring him home’ where he prays for the safe return of Marius. It exposes the softer side of his personality and reflects how much he has journeyed as a character.
Mario De Soyza as Inspector Javert
Last seen in: Jesus Christ Superstar
What has this production taught you?
Each character travels through a multitude of emotions during the performance of Les Mis. It challenges you as an actor to find those layers. It’s what makes it beautiful to watch but also incredibly hard to play.
What should we know about your character?
Well Javert is a loner, who possibly never experienced the compassion of another being, nor has he ever returned such an emotion. So when he finally is shown compassion and mercy he is unable to process it or accept it. That’s heartbreaking in itself.
Your favourite moment in the show?
There are so many and that’s a testament to the piece of work. Personally though I think it has to be when Fantine sings ‘I dreamed a dream’. It’s hard not to be affected by her story.
Kanishka Herat as Inspector Javert
Last seen in: The Dowry Hunter
What has this production taught you?
Through Jerome’s ‘thought tracking’ exercises I have learnt to better analyse and characterize not just the role I’m portraying in this play but any other role I hope to take on in the future.
What should we know about your character?
Inspector Javert is a character with pretty much a black and white personality. He’s a proper, law and rule-abiding citizen and believes every man must pay for his sins and be punished accordingly and the righteous will be rewarded in Heaven.
As a result he does believe in God and is a religious man. However I do try to show a more human side to Javert in a few scenes than just portraying a strict policeman.
Your favourite moment in the show?
When Javert sings “Stars” because it’s a personal favourite and more importantly you get to know that Javert is only doing his duty and that he sincerely believes that the law should prevail and he asks God to help him find Valjean.
When Valjean sings “Bring Him Home” – I find it to be the most beautiful song in the play.
Gehan Joel Blok as Inspector Javert
Last seen in: The Irish Curse
What has this production taught you?
Well the role of Javert has taught me to control my emotions as an actor. Especially since I seem to end up committing suicide in almost all the roles I do it’s important that I differentiate it.
It’s a tough challenge and singing-wise this is the first classical singing role I’m playing. Usually I like to consider myself actor/singer as against singer/actor but this time I want to find the right balance and perfect it (hopefully).
What should we know about your character?
I’m looking at bringing out what’s running inside Javert’s mind – the vulnerability and the volatile frame of mind his character has plus the stubborn nature of his character that refuses to empathize with people even with good reason.
He is quite unfairly unforgiving at times – I tend to be like that in real life sometimes so it’s easier to bring this aspect out.
Your favourite moment in the show?
It’s tough to pick one but I would say the Prologue scene which is one of the best openings in theatre to this day and the confrontation between Valjean and Javert where you get to know Javert’s real background.
Yanitra Kumaraguru as Fantine
Last seen in: Choral performances with Mary Anne David and the Colombo Philharmonic Choir
What has this production taught you?
So, so much. Despite having sung on stage for a few years, this is my first production with the Workshop Players and my first experience in drama outside involvement in school productions.
Yanitra Kumaraguru as Fantine
I continue to learn not just from Jerome, Surein and Shanuki but also from the privilege of watching the absolutely amazing actors around me at work. I must add that the production’s story line has taught me ever so much about the emotion, struggle and sometimes sheer magic in humanity.
What should we know about your character?
Fantine and the painful downward spiral you see her character experience stands testament to the lengths people will go for the sake of those they love. It is a beautiful, beautiful story to tell but also one that is heartbreaking and overflowing with raw emotion.
Your favourite moment in the show?
First, the forgiveness and the kindness displayed by the Bishop to Valjean despite him having stolen silver from the church. It illustrates the unbelievably life-changing impact a single act of kindness can have.
Secondly, the line at the end of the show, “To love another person is to see the face of God”; to me it is truly the essence of the entire musical.
Melanie Bibile as Fantine
Last seen in: Evita
What has this production taught you?
It has taught me always to see the good in people and not to judge people for what they might do or be pushed to do. The character is emotionally very hard.
I have to physically and mentally feel what a woman in that kind of trauma and pain would go through. However I love the role. It also helps me to understand abused women in a whole new light.
What should we know about your character?
The character of Fantine portrayed is a very sad yet strong and determined personality. A woman with no choice left, what she would have to do to keep the life of her daughter safe and secure.
Her world seems robbed of anything pretty. Nothing comes easy to her. Everything has to be fought for or struggled with.
Your favourite moment in the show?
I love the wedding scene as it’s one of the lighter and funnier scenes and will bring a laugh to most.
| Les Misérables is licensed by Music Theatre International by arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. and will be staged from October 1-11 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre Principal Sponsor – Cargills. Print Media Partners- the Sunday Times, Daily Mirror, Daily FT and Hi! Magazine. Radio Partner- Lite FM. Online Partners- Life Online and Hi!TV Tickets priced at Rs. 3500, 2500, 1500 and 600 (Balcony) are available at the Wendt |
Vinuri Weerawardane as Cosette and Dino Corea as Marius
Atira Bandara as young Cosette. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara