Les Miserables School Edition

Stoke Youth Musical Theatre Company 

presents

Les Misérables - School Edition

The show based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo. Is a sung through show; music by Claude-Michel Schonberg, with lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, with English libretto by Herbert Kretzmer. Set in early 19th-centrury France.

Tricolour lit front cloth segues into a projection of the 1815 Toulon chain gang, rhythmically pulling on ropes, any descension from the ranks of incarcerated men, is swiftly and brutally dealt with, under the watchful eye of Miles Lesniak as Javert; an unerringly menacing presence throughout, enforcing the law as he saw fit. 

Tristan Hood, as prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean, our protagonist, faultlessly played, superbly sang. Serving time for stealing bread for his nephew and skipping bail. Tristan is a very accomplished performer; he is one of many of this young cast I can quite easily see going on to greater things should they wish to do so.

Fantine – Emily Marshall, conveyed the sense of utter hopelessness, singing beautifully, she begged Valjean to look after her young daughter Cosette.

Young Cosette, Eloise Tripp’s, Castle on the Cloud, a lovely performance, visibly scared out of her wits, by the hideous Madame Thenardier - Tilly-Jane Harvey, together with her equally slimy husband, Thenardier, Leon Dykes-Meredith, who together run the sort of lowlife establishment where, should you be foolish enough to visit, you’d sew up your pockets before entering and never ever eat the food! 

Enjolras – Elliot Durham, roused the dissatisfied students’ ensemble, their scene brought Hugo’s pages alive, thoughts of hopes, dreams and aspirations of the time. This scene was well staged

Marius, Arran Johnstone shone, he was excellent, his love for Cosette, blinding him to poor lovelorn Eponine wonderfully portrayed by Emily Durber, another performer with huge potential, whose rendition of On My Own was exquisitely performed.

Cosette – A strong performance from Lizzie Daily-Hunt, her In My Life, overjoyed with her newfound love, lovely vignette with her, Marius and Eponine - A Heart Full Of Love.

The infamous rousing end of Act I, One Day More, had the audience literally wanting more. The only criticism would be of the excessive volume of the backing tracks in Act I, which caused some shouting in certain parts as the singers competed with the volume of the music.

Act II - Manning the barricades. Sound levels restored to normal, the students along with Gavroche, Elijah Reynolds who gave a very confident and accomplished performance, calling out a duplicitous Javert in their midst, trying to mislead their defences. Valjean asks a favour to deal with Javert himself as they have history, he gives Javert his liberty, which deeply confounds Javert.

The battle ensues, great use of the revolve here. The white spots maybe should have lowered whilst revolving as it tended to blind the audience, other than that the show was well-lit throughout, subtle textures enhancing the scenes without overpowering them. In the aftermath of the fighting Jean Valjean, rescues a wounded Marius, Bring Him Home, was pure class, superbly sung in falsetto.

The passage of time, shown visibly by the aging of the lead cast members, those still alive too age, good job the make-up department. Costumes really good throughout.

Javert, simply could not relinquish his beliefs, isolated and persecuted by the changing world in which he had been forced into, whose self-loathing makes it untenable to live in the world of juxtaposition, takes his life. His falling visually well portrayed

Leave any preconceptions of the word ‘Youth’ outside the theatre. The whole talented cast played way beyond their years with a real honed maturity. A big cast numbers wise but they never looked cluttered on the stage.

Director - James Dawe, Assistant Director/Choreographer - Natasha Dawe and Musical Director - Jo Smith must have worked tirelessly to nurture and channel this young cast, bringing out the best from the whole cast, who were vibrantly engaged and in the moment. Collectively they produced truly magnificent production of iconic and world renowned show, from a very accomplished cast. The attention to detail particularly in the harmonies throughout were outstanding.

You should all be very proud of your achievements with this show.  Excellent    

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