Les Miserables

From the moment the orchestra struck up I thought we were in for a good night and I am pleased to say I wasn’t wrong. Ash White’s sell out production of Les Miserables was fantastic and together with the eighteen piece orchestra under the direction of Matt Symonds and Becky Lancashire’s choreography this was a sure fire hit culminating in the well deserved standing ovation.

Everyone on stage gave 110% to make this show work; it was difficult to apprehend these youngsters were aged between 7 and 19, they all gave a professional performance and also managed to enjoy themselves at the same time.

The chorus of course was led by a troupe of more than able principals who were very convincing in their respective parts. The part of Jean Valjean is not an easy one to play as it means the character taking on all the various emotions a life can hold but Steve Maycock took the part in his grasp and made it his own resulting in applause from the audience after each song especially the well known Bring Him Home.

Due to his own past ways Valjean decides to look after the young Fantine played by Bethan Griffiths, she sang her way through the factory scene and I am sure there would have been some very misty eyes when she sang I Dreamed a Dream, this was beautiful.

Jean Valjean of course spends the most part of the show running from Javert played by Joshua Paget, and he played it to the full from the moment he releases Valjean on parole to the point he tries to infiltrate the student band through his final bow. His rendition of Stars was perfect.

This show calls for some good youngsters in the guise of Gavroche, young Cosette and young Eponine, these were in the more than capable hands of Aaron Wilde as the cheeky Gavroche who helps the student army, his cheeky smile and, little demonic ways were great, Gracie Malloy as the young Cosette was also great and performed the song Castle on a Cloud to the full and although she lived in the shadow of the young Eponine played by Cara Staniforth was able to overcome her barriers.

The two young girls grew up to become very determined young ladies and these roles were taken on by Abbie Martin as Cosette who falls in love with Marius played to perfection by Sam Hague who is also being pursued by the grown up Eponine played beautifully by Sam Shirtliffe. This showed when they joined forces for the song Heart full of Love, you could hear a pin drop as all the audience were intent on hearing every word and note of this trio. Sam Shirtliffe also shone in her number On My Own.

Also in the student army is the leader, Enjolras, who was in the hands of Kaine Ruddach, he was able to give a very convincing performance as the more-than-determined leader, leading in The People’s Song and many more.

All shows, even one with a heavy story line as this, needs some comedy and this was delivered to the full by Katie Symonds as Madame Thenardier and Martin Farthing as The Innkeeper Thenardier. The facial expressions Martin gave during his Master of the House song almost brought the house down and both characters were gradually built up until the wedding scene when they were both dressed in their finery. It would be very easy for people to go over the top in these parts but I am pleased to say they both gave just the right amount to their respective roles.

One of my favourite numbers in the show is One Day More which closes Act 1, this calls for exact timing to get all the parts of the song working together and I have to say the timing for this was brilliant which is not an easy task, especially when the orchestra and MD are behind you on stage. Yes they had small monitors situated at either side of the stage but I am sure these would not have been easily seen by all the cast.

Thank you Steps for a great evening’s entertainment.

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