I went to see Les Mis a few days ago! Here are my notes:
- Killian Donelly's Valjean, I think, fits so perfectly with Bradley Jaden's Javert. Killian is a little more harsh, a little more desperate to atone for his sins. He trembles when he holds those silver candlesticks, you could hear his desperate breaths. No matter how soft or how gentle he’s become, he is still so, so anxious and paranoid.
- But y know what? There was freedom when he saved Javert from the barricades. There was freedom when he grounds himself in his love for Cosette. There was freedom when he shows mercy and forgiveness. At the face of love and mercy, he is free and I FUCKING WENT INSANE
- Bardley Jaden’s Javert's transformation from start to finish is terrifying and I'll say it again. He was not so violent at first. He was composed, strong-willed. He held his nose high and looked down at everyone. He pitied Fantine and smiled at her, he looks to the audience with gentle eyes asking to be justified, asking for some kind of sympathy as if he was a saviour taking action so no one else should. It is such a contrast to Valjean's anxious nature.
- but Javert is capable of fear. I have never thought I would see a Javert so terrified of somehow being misunderstood, of being proven wrong for his ideals and principles. Normally, Javert is angry with his sights only on Valjean, but Bradley makes this character so fearful AND IT IS SCRUMPTIOUS. Almost near the end he's afraid of even Valjean's touch. He doesn't look at the audience, he looks up at the heavens instead.