Les Miserables School Edition

LAMP’s Children’s Theatre was a very young cast and their performance was incredible. The understanding of their roles, the high standard of singing and the assuredness of their movements made me forget that these performers were children. The chorus numbers, like the principal roles, delivered on notes, harmonies and diction ensuring that the story line was clear to follow.  Every one of the chorus had a part to play and by doing so gave immediacy and reality to the scenes, particularly the chain gang, factory, inn and barricade scenes. Well choreographed, the Lovely Ladies showed a maturity beyond their years.  Josh Ure as Jean Valjean made his mark, taking us on his journey from thief to factory owner and Mayor to rescuer of Marius and Javert.  This challenging singing role was met head on with a heartfelt ‘Who Am I?’ culminating in a moving ‘Bring Him Home’.  Against him was the bullying and towering presence of Gregor McLean whose ponderous deliberations reflected his blinkered attitude to the world.  Libby Hardie as young Cosette, tugged at emotions in ‘Castle on a Cloud’. Her mother Fantine was well drawn by Rona Millar who found edge and pathos in being spurned and in pleading for her daughter. Tom Barclay epitomised the consummate, self seeking Thenadier in his theft of the living and the dead, and in his grotesque Masquerade at The Wedding. His dark comedy was ably matched by Catherine Bain as Mde Thenadier who caught the two faced nature of his wife. In contrast Katie Rough gave us a sincere and sympathetic Cosette whose love for Val Jean and Marius was re affirming; likewise Daisy Mackie living the unrequited love Eponine had for Marius with a beautifully rendered  ‘On My Own’. Paul MacDonald as Marius showed idealism brought up short by the reality of action, coming into his own singing ‘Empty Tables’. The young men at the barricades brought another dimension where Oscar Davies gave a convincing Enjolras in fine voice as he commanded his band of men while Isla Paton  gave us an engaging Gavroche, entertaining to the full with his ‘Little People’ and courage.  

 Do you hear the people sing? Loud and clear.  Talented individuals and team players all and a credit to the production team.

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