23 years running on the West End and 22 on Broadway, Les Misérables is one of the most successful musicals of all time. Composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg, with English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, from the libretto in French by Alain Boublil, the play is based on the homonymous work by Victor Hugo, published in 1862.
When it seemed impossible to increase the success of the show, the unexpected and underestimated appearance of Scottish amateur singer Susan Boyle in a talent show on British television, performing “I Dreamed A Dream” one of the play’s most beautiful songs, combined with the unprecedented audience of the video presentation on YouTube (78,784,808 views by 20 Nov 2009), gave the show a further boost that ensures it will continue to beat in public and longevity all the other major productions.
The performance also brought the debate about the best interpretation of this lovely song. From Patti LuPone and Randy Graff, first interpreters of Fantine in the English and American productions, through Laurie Beechman, Debra Byrne, Daphne Rubin-Vega and the talented Rebecca Seale (current performer of the role in London), to the fabulous Lea Salonga and Ruthie Henshall, and numerous covers over the years, such as Petula Clark (in Paris), Canada’s Allison Crowe, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Gunilla Backman, Susan Egan, Judy Khun (in 1988, for the Reagans at the White House) and many others, versions and voices make up a fascinating menu of talent and emotion that is polarizing opinions.
Unfortunately, some of the clips available on YouTube are poor in quality, especially those older or recorded from the audience, but the available links are there for the delight of the readers.
My favourite versions are five: Laurie Beechman who played the role in the first US tour of Les Mis in 1990, Ruthie Henshall at the 10th year anniversary presentation at the Royal Albert Hall in London (subtitled), Elaine Paige, celebrating 40 years on the stage (8 March 2009) at the Theater Royal Drury Lane, beautiful New Zealander Hayley Westenra, the singer with the perfect pitch (2002) and, in fairness, the amateur Susan Boyle, here in the competition finals when she lost to a group of dancers.
Which is your favourite?
