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Emma Snaith
Dec 31, 2018
The BBC’s hotly-anticipated adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic story of love and revolution in 19th century Paris aired for the first time on Sunday night.
But people weren’t sure of what to make of the lack of singing and dancing in the latest version of Les Misérables.
Unlike the wildly popular film and theatre adaptations, the BBC’s new version sets aside the classic songs and takes things back to Hugo’s original novel.
But some people found themselves humming along to the first episode anyway.
"Is this background music or are they going to sing?" Me every 2 minutes #LesMiserables— Charlie (@Charlie) 1546204233
Ok, I’m doing it! “Do You Hear the People Sing?” No, no I don’t 😳 #LesMisérables— Nicky Sweetland (@Nicky Sweetland) 1546203629
I love Victor Hugo and his writing but Boublil and Schönberg’s music adds that glimmer of hope and light in the ble… https://t.co/97hkmq6D2u— Rebecca 𓃠 (@Rebecca 𓃠) 1546205118
Blimey #LesMiserables is a barrel of laughs .... not even a song to enjoy ..— Anna Soubry (@Anna Soubry) 1546205246
Others pointed out that the lack of songs allows more time to explore the subtleties of Hugo's epic novel.
Les Miserables is one of my favourite novels but there hasn’t been a decent adaptation in my lifetime (honourable m… https://t.co/oYMx14tI5N— Jonathan Eyers (@Jonathan Eyers) 1546203204
Before complaining about BBC's version of #LesMiserables tonight ... remember it was a work of literature before it… https://t.co/7fzQRlaDIM— Ailish O'Hora (@Ailish O'Hora) 1546207437
Victor Hugo just messaged. He's livid that the BBC have taken all the songs out of his musical. #dear #LesMiserables— westendproducer (@westendproducer) 1546209363
But maybe more confusing than the lack of songs, are the British regional accents the actors use.
Derek Jacobi's face expressing consternation at that rare beast, a Frenchman with a Yorkshire accent.#LesMiserábles— Anthony Morris (@Anthony Morris) 1546205967
At least we won’t have to endure Russell Crowe’s questionable singing again.
We’re pretty sure this won’t be the last adaptation of Les Mis to grace our screens. And some people already have some interesting ideas for the next version.
OK OK incoming best idea: Muppet Les Miserables Hugh Jackman is still Valjean but the rest of the cast are The Mupp… https://t.co/lvZ5Vya3s3— Candice Maplestreet (@Candice Maplestreet) 1545548797
Revolutionary.
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