Les Mis and Indonesian Batik

“And remember
The truth that once was spoken
To love another person
Is to see the face of God.”

The above-mentioned haunting lyrics are taken from the wise melodies sung by Fantine as Valjean’s soul left his mortal body. These characters are the main figures in Les Misérables (http://www.lesmis.com.au/).

Les Mis, as we call it in Australia, is an epic musical based on Victor Hugo's novel. It is a story of love, forgiveness and redemption which centred at an ex-convict who turns good character namely Jean Valjean. Hugo (1802-1885) is one of the most celebrated French author in the 19^th century. Aside from Les Mis, he was the one who authored “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Toilers of the Sea”.

What I love about Les Mis is the rationale behind the play that focuses on human relations and the complicated emotions surroundings these relations, such as love, hate, kind, greed, fair, envy, patriotic, revenge, and so on. I believe these are the successful ingredients which have made Les Mis a thoroughly humane musical which any person can relate to.

I fell in love with Les Mis since I first time laid eyes on the musical in New York years ago. I promised myself that I would take my parents to see it someday.

Then the time came; I was ecstatic to learn that Les Mis began its season in Sydney. Similar to Cosette’s prayer (Cosette is one of the leading characters there), my prayer has been answered.

Now, witness how thrilled my parents to see the show as you gaze through the following photos, including our surprised back-stage pass afterwards!

Ps. A little style note to my fashionable friends, never forget to put on your much beloved attire from your country to attend hit musicals and concerts. Be confidence to wear it as you will turn heads when you fashionably step inside the theatre or concert hall. Trust me that one would look so unique by putting on a touch of one’s ethnic cloth or accessory. No one can steal your ethnic look from you! Look at the below pictures and you will instantly see what I mean.

Ayo rekans fashionista Indonesia, jangan ragu kenakan busana dari Batik, Ikat, Songket dan wastra Nusantara saat menghadiri show di teater atau konser. Padukanlah busana anda dengan tas Chanel atau sepatu Louboutin kesayangan anda. Melangkahlah dengan pasti saat memasuki gedung pertunjukan karena penampilan anda pasti akan mengundang decak kagum. Yakin lah bahwa tidak ada orang lain yang dapat mencuri gaya busana etnik anda! Your Indonesian ethnic style is truly yours and it will draw attention from the fashion crowd!

Red carpet treatment completed with a handsome concierge awaited my parents and I as we stepped in front of Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.

Let’s join this “Do you hear the people sing?” fab ensemble.

Mom’s outfits:

Hand-painted Batik coat: Batik Sengenge (Facebook account: Batik Sengenge)

Hand-patterned taupe colored leather bag: Envyme Leather (Facebook account: Envyme Leatherwork, page: Envyme Bags)

JET’s clothes:

Hand-painted Batik scarf: Dudung Ali Syahbana (Batik Dudung)

Bi-colored jacket: Zara

Let’s enter and marvel at this award winning musical! Look at the sumptuous decoration on the stage.

Valjean and Javert forever nemesis! The great Simon Gleeson acts as Valjean while the handsome Hayden Tee acts as Javert. They play their roles superbly! (Source: Les Mis Australia Facebook page).

The life of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who turns good yet can not escape his past as he is constantly hunted by Javert, is the principal story of Les Mis. The time setting of Les Mis began in 1815 and climaxed during the Rebel of 1832 in Paris. The novel, which is considered one of the longest ever written novel in the world, has been receiving commercial success since first published in 1862.

“One More Day” ensemble as led by Enjolras, who is played by Chris Durling. (Source: Les Mis Australia Facebook page)

The greedy yet memorable Thenardiers played by Trevor Ashley and Lara Mulcahy. The intricate details of the costumes added the glitz and glam to the show (Source: Les Mis Australia Facebook page)

“I love your coat! Where did you get it?” or “I want your scarf! Is it sold in David Jones?” were only two of the many questions which were asked to Mom and I at the show.

Mom and I are grateful that our Batik look had successfully attracted and inspired the Sydney audience!!!

Up close and personal with the beautiful Emily Louis Langridge who plays the elegant Cosette. Emily represents the perfect Cosette, someone who has a dark past yet blooms into a beautiful woman with a bright future. Major thanks to a dear friend who works in the musical that we were given the super exclusive backstage tour to meet the leading players and amazing props.

JET and the talented Patrice Tipoki whose angelic charm and voice truly represent the character of Fantine. Patrice has transformed “I Dreamed a Dream” into a ballad that one can never forget.

Les Mis’s success is also supported by these able musicians who made all the musical scores came alive.

The wig of Fantine (before her hair was cut off) made by real human hair and worth thousands of dollars!

The gentlemen’s wigs made precisely similar to the ones worn in France circa 1800s.

Closely observe the details of props in these books and coins belong to Marius’s character.

The ladies outfits are made to fully represent the real situations in France circa 19^th century.

The audience during the interval.

Larger than life poster of Les Mis inside the Theatre!

In front of the Capitol Theatre. The vibe takes me back to the memory of NY Broadway!

Les Mis has inspired a number of designers since its musical debut in the 1980s. The Cosette sweater is the best selling sweater by Kenzo for the recent Resort 2015 season. The face of Cosette still follows faithful interpretation from its first illustration by Emile Bayard published in 1862. (Source photo: Kenzo’s instagram account).

Anne Hathaway, who played as Fantine in the film adaptation of Les Miserables, won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2013 Academy Awards. The Les Mis movie took three Oscars during the Awards. In this photo, Fantine lets her hair to be cut so she can finance the upbringing of her daughter, Cosette. (Source photo: people.premiere.fr).

Before leaving the theatre, my parents and I cannot take our eyes off from these must have souvenirs to any die-hard fan of Les Mis.

If you wish to listen to Patrice Tipoki’s wonderful take on “I Dreamed A Dream”, click the following link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8GGPy8sr8c).

The footage of other enigmatic voices by Les Mis’s Australian Cast are to be found in the link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3HGB3YjeqE&noredirect=1)

As Shakespeare once says, all the world’s a stage my darling!!! A bientot!!!

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