I'm endlessly amused by Cohen's rendition of "Master of the House." It's brilliant.
I wasn't expecting for him to do anything redefining (a mostly tired, false claim used for marketing purposes that so many fall for) and he doesn't, but a little is always more when mixed with taste and respect for a work's integrity.
There's a much longer word on that, but I'll stick to one thing at a time for now.
I LOVE his ambiguous accent! At first, I thought it sounded French, and it does in places. But it also sounds decidedly Spanish in more places, suggests American in others, and an unmistakably Cockney variation pops up during "One Day More." And somehow, works! And works well. You'd think it would be a painful trainwreck, but even I, the most vocal commentator on the lack of cohesion playing a role in the new stage version's orchestrations mess of a sound, am not bothered by it in the least. But that's because, unlike that horrid concoction, he maintains--either intentionally or by accident--the character's essence. And it doesn't take a full bodied, specific accent to denote essence but merely well placed cues.
I've always lectured on how I prefer a single piano adaptation of the original orchestration over the multi-instrument mess that has replaced that definitive John Cameron sound, making everyone think I'm out of my mind for wanting one piano over the 14 member requirement needed to play the new thing. But that's for another day, even if it does illustrate the point I'm making here: that essence is where it's at. Yes, we are sophisticated enough to fill in the rest with our imaginations with minimal effort and have it turn out satisfyingly good, but people have long lost faith in themselves; a result of losing touch with the art form and its theatrical roots, and distressingly, want it spelled out.
I can't even determine if this is a strategic thing on Cohen's part or a stroke of luck borne out of an inability to master an intended accent, that ends up providing the basic elements that are needed to satisfy the character's inherent essence. I've always considered the very, very popular argument that Thenardier needs to have a Cockney accent because it's what best works to be a bunch of hogwash.
Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.