Fringe review: LES MILLENNIABLES, The Millennials - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Photo credit: Jasper Lewis

Very loosely based on Les Miserables, Les Millenniables is a pop parody about the plight of the generation deemed "millennials". In our story, our millennial protagonist, Jean Valjean, must navigate a world where dreams are dashed by student loan debt. Valjean must find a way to thrive whilst being relentlessly pursued by the ruthless debt collecter and Boomer, Javert.

Les Millenniables is a well written, witty concept, including numerous references to that 'French musical' cleverly related to modern day student debt and failed dreams. It's a relatable and probably widely experienced story (minus a barricade or two).

Featuring some slightly altered lyrics to modern pop tunes, the vocals are marvellous all round, with some great harmonies. It would have been ideal to have the cast with microphones though for the solo parts, just so that the audience were not having to strain to hear the lyrics.

Each characterisation is superb, bringing the modern together with the traditional musical references brilliantly. It's a clever, funny parody of student life, relationships and what should have been, until debt got in the way.

A musical crusade for modern life.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Les Millenniables plays in the Upper Theatre (Round) at theSpace @ Niddry St at 9.25pm until 26 August.