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There’s a nice dove-tailing of cultural ideas in watching the new film version of the musical Les Misérables in a converted theatre. After all, the French period piece was gathering live theatre fans for decades before the British film industry got its teeth into it and brought Les Mis to the big screen. Your purpose-built modern cinema complex may have escalators in it, to help you ascend, under the burden of your popcorn and drinks, to the dizzy heights where Screen 11 is located. However, it can’t compete with the history and atmosphere of a traditional single-screen picture house. So when the audience at the Les Mis Opening Night’s viewing at Odeon, Leicester Square, applauded the conclusion of each song, they were probably more likely to be saying, ‘Bravo’, than thanking the performer in question for ending the suffering. Even though the stars couldn’t hear the appreciation of their public it was as if they were considered ‘there in spirit’ – something perhaps brought on in part by the stage-centric setup of the old Odeon. As for stage and cinema versions it seems likely the two will feed off each other. Cinema-goers, who have seen the new film, will be curious about the theatre production, that has been running continuously in the West End since 1985. And there can be no doubting that there were many thespians present last Friday when the credits rolled up. Books like The Woman in Black have spawned TV adaptions, plays, and Hollywood reproductions. Does a serialised small-screen adaption beckon for Les Mis? Gerard Depardieu did a four-part mini-series in 2000 but not based on the musical version. Bearing in mind the length of the 2012 film perhaps a break-up would be the perfect way to bring it to television. We’re going to have to wait and see. For more on cult cinema experiences see here.
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Les Miserables, cinema, theatre, odeon,
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