Les Miserable (School Edition)

Amazing, fantastic, terrific! , it’s difficult to find enough superlatives to describe this wonderful show, it’s a shame the audience was limited to five hundred, because this production deserved to be seen by a much greater number. The company did themselves and the city of Carlisle proud.

Where do we start when discussing specific performances?. The principal ladies were all first class, Ashleigh  Johnston was a convincing  Cosette, Sophie McMullen was an excellent Fantine, Holly Neaves and Caitlen Edmondson playing Eponine and young Cosette respectively were also very good. I have seen the show on a number of occasions but Sarah Hughes as Madame Thenadier was the best performance of this character I’ve seen yet, she was a joy!, what a talent for one so young.

Now the men, again some very good performances, Cameron Mitchell as Jean Valjean, Jack McNeill was an excellent Marius, incidently, he had been off school with an illness all week, but one wouldn’t have known, he gave his usual high class performance. The star of the whole show for me was Jamie Dodd as Javert, he has the lot, stage presence, fine singing voice, and superb acting ability.

There wasn’t a weak  link in this very talented company, all the minor roles were convincingly played, and the ensembles and production were a joy.

The orchestra was well led by Alison Bedford. Special mention must go to the wardrobe department, the costumes were superb, of period and made by the wardrobe ladies on a very small budget!. The lighting was superb, but on a very small down side the sound, done professionally by theatre staff, was slow with the cues occasionally, the company deserved better.

Finally I must offer my congratulations to David McNeill, who directed this fantastic production. I’m looking forward to ‘Singin in the Rain’, next year and I don’t mind if they sit me on the front row and I get soaked, I wouldn’t miss it !.  A truly brilliant night with Stagedright, thankyou

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.