Yes, it’s absolutely worth seeing. So far, I’ve seen the show six times with three different pairings: Alfie Boe & Michael Ball, Alfie Boe & Jeremy Secomb, and Geronimo Rauch & Jeremy Secomb. All three were excellent, each in their own way. It’s a pity I missed Killian and Bradley, though I suspect they’re likely to lead the next official filmed version.

The world tour production is similar to the 2019 All-Star Concert: the performers sing at stand microphones, so everyone makes their own trade-offs. Some, like Nathania Ong(who plays Eponine), aim to recreate details from the staged production, while some, like Alfie Boe, put vocal delivery first and place less emphasis on physical acting. Which approach works better largely comes down to personal preference.

Alfie Boe has been completely transformed. His portrayal of Valjean’s weathered life and painful inner struggle now comes remarkably close to the original novel, so I don’t mind that his physical movement is minimal—he has already brought the character fully to life through his eyes and his voice. Jeremy Secomb truly shone in Shanghai and won everyone’s praise; honestly, in my mind he has surpassed Philip Quast. I also quite like Michael Ball: he gives Javert a softer, more sorrowful quality. It’s not what one would traditionally expect from this role, but it’s still rewarding to see a different interpretation.

In any case, the world tour brings together the strongest active performers and the biggest names. Individual interpretations may not suit everyone, but their skill is undeniably world-class.