I was in Oslo last week and saw the new production of Les Mis at Folketeateret, directed by Guy Unsworth (who also did their Miss Saigon in 2023). It's a completely new staging, not the Nunn/Caird original and not the Laurence Connor version. It made me think about the material in ways I hadn't before, which I didn't expect after this many years with the show.

I've seen Les Miserables almost 30 times over the years. From the original London and Broadway productions, the 1990 Canadian production, several of the US national tours from the 90s/00s, both Broadway revivals, the 25th anniversary tour, and the Théâtre du Châtelet production in Paris.

This production is brilliant. It takes the stakes seriously. The class divide is visible on stage, not just something in the lyrics. The violence against Fantine is genuinely frightening. The barricade has real fire and explosions. But it also holds back where the current West End/Tour version pushes. For example, Grantaire is toned down. The Thénardiers are funny, but you never forget they're terrible people. There are also a some key staging choices I won't spoil. Each one changes a scene I thought I knew inside out. I've seen this show more times than I can count, and I was in tears by the end.

It's performed in Norwegian, which I don't speak but if you know the show well enough, it doesn't matter. It runs into January. Has anyone else here seen it? I'm happy to get into specifics in the comments for anyone who doesn't mind spoilers.

Just saw the new non-replica Les Mis in Oslo (Folketeateret) and it's the best staging I've seen since the original London production. Detailed thoughts, spoilers for the staging.