Latest news with #Fantine
Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The five best Uma Thurman movies
Uma Thurman's effortless charisma, commitment and versatility has made her one of Hollywood's most iconic leading actors. As she celebrates her 55th birthday on April 29, we've chosen our five favourite Thurman films. Let us know your favourites in the comments below. Despite only appearing in half the story, Fantine will always be the most cherished role in any adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. Fourteen years before Anne Hathaway won the Oscar for playing Fantine in Tom Hooper's take on the musical, Thurman stepped into the shoes of the most sympathetic character in French literary history: a single mother at death's door who turns to sex work to support her daughter. Thurman perfectly captures Fantine's slow, tragic deterioration and eventual hopelessness in Bille
Filipino Times
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
Review: Les Misérables Arena Spectacular stirs the soul in Abu Dhabi
Les Misérables: The Arena Musical Spectacular opened its limited Abu Dhabi run on Thursday, 10 April, at Etihad Arena, Yas Island — and from the very first note, it was clear this was not your typical Les Miz. Though billed as a concert adaptation, this version is no less theatrical, emotional, or visually grand. In fact, its unique staging choices are what make it so compelling. The iconic barricades take center stage, flanked by the full orchestra elevated above the set — a design choice that amplifies the scale and grandeur of the production, especially within the vast walls of Etihad Arena. What further elevates this adaptation is the masterful use of lighting. With every shift in tone, from the stirring opening to the show's most intimate moments, the lighting pulls you deeper into the emotional core of the story—highlighting not only the scale but the sensitivity of the narrative. Returning to Abu Dhabi is Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine, and her performance is nothing short of breathtaking. Her rendition of 'I Dreamed A Dream' filled every corner of the arena, drawing thunderous applause — and tears of pride from the Pinoy audience in attendance. There's something incredibly special about witnessing a Filipina performer own one of the most iconic roles in musical theatre history on such a global stage. Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine As the show unfolds, it becomes clear that this is a production that doesn't just sing — it moves. Killian Donnelly's performance as Jean Valjean is masterful, but it's his haunting 'Bring Him Home' that leaves the audience visibly shaken, many wiping away tears as his final note fades. Killian Donnelly as Jean Valjean Bradley Jaden's Javert is another standout. With commanding vocals and an emotionally charged performance, Jaden balances strength with vulnerability, delivering a portrayal that's both intense and deeply human. Bradley Jaden as Javert Filipino talent shines once again in the ensemble with Caleb Lagayan, who has previously played Prince Chulalongkorn in The King and I and 1st Cover Marius in Les Misérables during international tours. Spotting him on stage alongside Go added another layer of pride for Filipino theatre lovers in the UAE. As the curtain falls, it's impossible not to feel that this show is more than just a performance — it's an event. A once-in-a-generation theatre experience in the UAE. One that redefines what arena theatre can be. With only six shows remaining before its final curtain on 20 April, this production of Les Misérables is a rare chance to witness one of the world's grandest and most respected musicals come to life on a truly epic scale. Don't miss it. This is theatre history, happening now in Abu Dhabi.
The National
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Les Miserables: The Arena Spectacular will 'blow away' audiences, stars say
Les Miserables, the longest-running musical in London's West End, is taking to the stage at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on Thursday as a large-scale concert production. Twelve performances of the arena version of the 40-year-old musical, featuring a cast and orchestra of more than 65 people, are being staged in the UAE. Actors Rachelle Ann Go, Killian Donnelly and Bradley Jaden have shared with The National their experience of being part of writer Victor Hugo's world, where justice, morality, politics, love and religion struggle to co-exist among flawed characters. Go reprises her role as the impoverished Fantine, having starred in the West End production. She said the role is a dream come true. In fact, the first time she saw the show in 2013, she was so jet-lagged that she slept through most of it, only waking up in time for Fantine's famous song I Dreamed A Dream. 'I saw that and thought 'oh my goodness, I really wanted to sing this song'. I said: 'That's the role I'm going to play.' I just felt connected with that character, even though at that time I wasn't a mom yet,' Go says. She says Fantine's heartaches and 'brokenness' felt familiar. She hopes to channel Fantine's journey and despair through her performance, creating a 'standalone emotional centrepiece' to connect with her audience. Having performed at the Etihad Arena in 2024 as Eliza in Hamilton, Go is familiar with the space. However, she says the Arena Spectacular, which is on a world tour, will feel more like a stadium show. 'This is going to be massive. It's like a proper concert with all the lights and I'm really excited to do it. Back in the Philippines, I've been doing concerts, that was my first love. Doing this together, a concert in an arena and a musical … it's literally a dream,' she said. Donnelly, who stars as Jean Valjean, believes the performance is '50 per cent passion and 50 per cent vocal'. He has played the lead in Phantom of the Opera in the West End, and draws parallels between Valjean and the Phantom. 'They are both troubled, rely on hope, and passionate,' he says. However, as challenging as the role is, the score by Claude Michel Schoenberg does a lot of the work for him, he believes. 'It helps get you into the emotion very easily. Audience members who have never seen the show understand the character and his struggles. The best feeling about this music is that it always gets you there,' he says. Jaden, who plays Inspector Javert, has grown up with the role over the past 10 years. He was the youngest person to take on the character, when he was 29, and his understanding of Javert's perspective has evolved with him. In his mind, he is not the villain that everyone thinks he is. 'I always feel like people say that Javert's the bad guy and I always have to shut it down. He's absolutely not a villain,' he says. 'My job is just to tell the story in the best means that I possibly can, and I leave the judgment of being villainous or a hero up to the audience,' he adds. Jaden describes the arena show as a 'real monster of a piece of theatre', saying audiences will be 'blown away' by the orchestra, costumes and the way the show is set up like a movie with 4K screens to fully immerse the viewer. 'I think what's so great about this concert version is we strip away all the props and moving aspects. It really is just about the storytelling. We're almost putting in this humongous, incredible musical right on your lap.' When Go played Fantine in 2016, she was the only Asian woman in the cast. Filled with uncertainty, she relied heavily on the thought that women who looked like her had paved the way for her to take the role and represent her people. 'When you see people from Asia and you hear them say 'you make us proud', it's so fulfilling. You get emotional,' she says. 'Before, I just wanted to sing, but then there's a deeper purpose why I am on stage. Knowing that purpose, I'm fulfilled. This is what I need to do in life,' she adds, teary-eyed. She says some younger audience members have gone into musical theatre after watching her on stage. 'To hear them reaching for their dreams and stepping out of their comfort zone, I think I'm doing the right thing.' Being a mother has also enriched her performance and made her understand 'real pain'. 'Now I don't need to sit in one corner [before the show] and internalise, because I know how it feels to be a mom.' Similarly, Donnelly says becoming a father has elevated his performance. 'Being a father is about just being there, being present, and that's what I was trying to do with [Fantine's daughter] Cosette. I didn't have to hold her hand or hug her to let her know I was there,' he says. 'The presence of the father was something that I learnt from actually being a dad.' Jaden says he leapt at the chance to return to the role of Javert. Even when taking part in other productions, his affection for Les Miserables never dwindled. 'When this opportunity came to come back to Les Miserables, I jumped at it because my love was still there for that show. My love is still there for that show,' he says. Les Miserables is running from April 10 – 20 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi
The National
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Les Miserables: The Arena Spectacular will 'blow away' the audience, stars say
Les Miserables, the longest-running musical in London's West End, is taking to the stage at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on Thursday as a large-scale concert production. Twelve performances of the arena version of the 40-year-old musical, featuring a cast and orchestra of more than 65 musicians, are being staged in the UAE. Actors Rachelle Ann Go, Killian Donnelly and Bradley Jaden have shared with The National their experience of being part of writer Victor Hugo's world, where justice, morality, politics, love and religion struggle to co-exist among flawed characters. Go reprises her role as the impoverished Fantine, having starred in the West End production. She said the role is a dream come true. In fact, the first time she saw the show in 2013, she was so jet-lagged that she slept through most of it, only waking up in time for Fantine's famous song I Dreamed A Dream. 'I saw that and thought 'oh my goodness, I really wanted to sing this song'. I said: 'That's the role I'm going to play.' I just felt connected with that character, even though at that time I wasn't a mom yet,' Go says. She says Fantine's heartaches and 'brokenness' felt familiar. She hopes to channel Fantine's journey and despair through her performance, creating a 'standalone emotional centrepiece' to connect with her audience. Having performed at the Etihad Arena in 2024 as Eliza in Hamilton, Go is familiar with the space. However, she says the Arena Spectacular will feel more like a stadium show. 'This is going to be massive. It's like a proper concert with all the lights and I'm really excited to do it. Back in the Philippines, I've been doing concerts, that was my first love. Doing this together, a concert in an arena and a musical … it's literally a dream,' she said. Donnelly, who stars as Jean Valjean, believes the performance is '50 per cent passion and 50 per cent vocal'. He has played the lead in Phantom of the Opera in the West End, and draws parallels between Valjean and the Phantom. 'They are both troubled, rely on hope, and passionate,' he says. However, as challenging as the role is, the score by Claude Michel Schoenberg does a lot of the work for him, he believes. 'It helps get you into the emotion very easily. Audience members who have never seen the show understand the character and his struggles. The best feeling about this music is that it always gets you there,' he says. Jaden, who plays Inspector Javert, has grown up with the role over the past 10 years. He was the youngest person to take on the character, when he was 29, and his understanding of Javert's perspective has evolved with him. In his mind, he is not the villain that everyone thinks he is. 'I always feel like people say that Javert's the bad guy and I always have to shut it down. He's absolutely not a villain,' he says. 'My job is just to tell the story in the best means that I possibly can, and I leave the judgment of being villainous or a hero up to the audience,' he adds. Jaden describes the arena show as a 'real monster of a piece of theatre', saying audiences will be 'blown away' by the orchestra, costumes and the way the show is set up like a movie with 4K screens to fully immerse the viewer. 'I think what's so great about this concert version is we strip away all the props and moving aspects. It really is just about the storytelling. We're almost putting in this humongous, incredible musical right on your lap.' When Go played Fantine in 2016, she was the only Asian woman in the cast. Filled with uncertainty, she relied heavily on the thought that women who looked like her had paved the way for her to take the role and represent her people. 'When you see people from Asia and you hear them say 'you make us proud', it's so fulfilling. You get emotional,' she says. 'Before, I just wanted to sing, but then there's a deeper purpose why I am on stage. Knowing that purpose, I'm fulfilled. This is what I need to do in life,' she adds, teary-eyed. She says some younger audience members have gone into musical theatre after watching her on stage. 'To hear them reaching for their dreams and stepping out of their comfort zone, I think I'm doing the right thing.' Being a mother has also enriched her performance and made her understand 'real pain'. 'Now I don't need to sit in one corner [before the show] and internalise, because I know how it feels to be a mom.' Similarly, Donnelly says becoming a father has elevated his performance. 'Being a father is about just being there, being present, and that's what I was trying to do with [Fantine's daughter] Cosette. I didn't have to hold her hand or hug her to let her know I was there,' he says. 'The presence of the father was something that I learnt from actually being a dad.' Jaden says he leapt at the chance to return to the role of Javert. Even when taking part in other productions, his affection for Les Miserables never dwindled. 'When this opportunity came to come back to Les Miserables, I jumped at it because my love was still there for that show. My love is still there for that show,' he says. Les Miserables is running from April 10 – 20 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi
Filipino Times
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
Rachelle Ann Go returns to Abu Dhabi for Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular; excited to perform for Pinoy fans
One of the most celebrated Filipino musical theater stars, Rachelle Ann Go, is set to return to Abu Dhabi as she reprises her role as Fantine in Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular. In an exclusive interview with The Filipino Times, Rachelle, whose performances have earned international acclaim, shared her excitement about performing for her fellow Filipinos in this highly anticipated concert version of Les Misérables. Having previously visited Abu Dhabi, Rachelle reflected on the warmth of the Filipino community in the city, noting how their presence made her feel right at home. 'We were there last year, and we love the UAE. We love Abu Dhabi. My family—my husband and my two kids—they love it,' she shared. 'To see a lot of Filipinos there as well, nakakataba ng puso. Pag nakakasalamuha ko sila after the show or kahit sa mall, naglalakad ako, Filipinos are everywhere! Para lang akong nasa Philippines.' Her bond with the Filipino audience runs deep, as she acknowledged the unique energy they bring to her performances. 'When you're doing a concert version, ibang vibe. You can scream, sometimes you can sing along. So, I'm quite excited to see kung papaano ito magta-translate sa audiences sa Abu Dhabi, especially sa mga Pinoy. Baka maging karaoke night ito,' she said with a laugh. Rachelle has portrayed Fantine since 2016, but as a mother of two, she now connects with the character on a deeper level, particularly the theme of motherly love. 'If you will ask me before having a family, I think the brokenness and the heartaches of what I've been through in my life. Tapos may napagdaanan din siya sa buhay niya. I think the pain, doon ako nakaka-relate. And then, now that I am a mom of two, I know how it feels to show love and to give sacrifices towards your child,' she added. Unlike traditional theatrical productions, Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular offers a fresh challenge for Rachelle. This concert-style presentation focuses primarily on vocals and emotional delivery, as opposed to the elaborate physical movements typically seen in fully staged performances. 'The people, I believe, will connect more with the voice and little movements. Rachelleod thing we have big screens, so people sitting at the back, makikita niyo talaga what is happening,' she shared. 'It's an arena but it's still gonna be intimate. I think the challenge for me is dapat kumanta ako galing sa puso.' Overcoming challenges as an international performer Reflecting on her journey in international theater, Rachelle acknowledged the difficulties she faced when she moved to the UK in 2014 for her first musical show, Miss Saigon. 'Wala akong experience. I didn't train. No training at all in musical theater. So being in a space, being in a room filled with people who are trained, who are experienced, it's quite intimidating. I felt like I was so insecure,' she admitted. 'I learned through my co-actor, yung mga director. Tinuturuan naman nila kami. Parang nawala na rin yung hiya.' She also shared how she related to the struggles of OFWs, particularly the challenge of being away from loved ones. 'I'm sure lahat ng OFW yung makaka-relate sa akin. When you're sick, tapos you don't have your parents, you don't have your kapatid around, and you're on your own. You're alone… So I think that's the biggest challenge is homesickness,' she said. For aspiring Filipino performers, Rachelle had this advice: 'Know what your gifts are. Know it and then hone it… Train to become the best version of yourself and keep auditioning.' 'Always do it with heart. And the people will see it and they will see you shine. They will always see the light in you,' she added. Filipinos in the UAE will have a rare opportunity to witness Rachelle Ann Rachelle in Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular, a grand and immersive production that brings the timeless classic to a new level at the Etihad Arena from April 10 to 20, 2025.
