If you've seen Les Miserables before, chances are you have already booked seats for sometime during its seven-week run in Newcastle. If you haven't, you should!
Don't be put off by its theatrical nickname - The Glums. Despite the devastation wrought for all and sundry, it is about hope and love and bravery.
This is a spectacular show in every respect, with an outstanding cast - even without , who joined them at the Theatre Royal on Saturday - and levels of perfection in its staging.
And there are moments of pure fun too, particularly from rogues-in-chief, the Thernadiers, played by gravelly-voiced Martin Ball and Sophie-Louise Dann, who creates a foghorn-level cheeky Cockney. Their big number, Master of the House, is a real ear-worm.
I had previouly seen only the film which recreates the musical, penned almost 30 years ago and rarely off a stage somewhere in the world ever since. I was slightly worried by the three-hour running time - but the show seemed to pass in half the time as its plot comes thick and fast - and the music and voices are wonderful.
The story comes from Victor Hugo's famous 1862 novel, set during a bloody uprising on the streets of Paris, and begins with Jean Valjean - a man imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf to feed his starving family, and Fantine, whose fate he feels he must atone for.
Jean Valjean is played by Killian Donnelly, whose singing is a pure joy to listen to. Composer Claude-Michel Schönberg knits together a constant succession of songs with lots of great harmonising as various characters come together and sing their own "theme tunes".
Every moment is sung, and the lyrics of Herbert Kretzmer are very clearly and loudly enunciated by all. Katie Hall as Fantine is mesmerising and heartbreaking, as befits her story, and the subtleties of her performance are maintained even as she sings in full voice. Her big number is the moving I Dreamed a Dream.
Valjean's nemesis, the policeman Javert, is impressively played by Nic Greenshields, whose strong voice just about lifts the roof off the theatre. He has one of the most dramatic moments in a very clever, filmic, fall.
The huge sets glide smoothly on and off stage and the backdrop projections are beautifully drawn and lit. When the action shifts to the sewers they seamlessly draw us downwards.
From Javert, probably the tallest of the cast, to one of the smallest - and the one who got one of the biggest cheers at the end of the night. Joseph Sheppard is one of four boys playing little Gavroche, and wow, did he own the stage, taking the lead in whole scenes and singing well to boot.
I must mention too Will Richardson as revolutionary Enjolras, a commanding presence and another great voice, and winning Eponine, played by Tegan Bannister, Marius, played by Harry Apps and Cosette, played by Bronwen Hanson. Apps sings another big tearjerker, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables.
I may have mentioned a lot of names but they are among a cast of around 30. There is also a live orchestra, whose presence can not be underestimated, and a huge backstage team - and that investment in high quality shines through. Almost every member of last night's Newcastle audience rose to their feet to applaud.
Put simply, don't miss Les Mis.
