Les Miserables - School Edition

Report

Author: Decia Ranger

                                                        

The audience was flocking into the venue when we arrived for this, the final performance of a four day sell out run. The society consistently performs to a high standard, and I was therefore very much looking forward to seeing their production of this iconic musical.

The open stage displayed a well designed and, as we were to find out, multi purpose set. Suitably stressed French Tricolores hung around the proscenium, adding to the authenticity.

This is a complex show and from the start the energy was amazing and the singing throughout can only be described as superb. It was apparent that these young people, as well as oozing enthusiasm for performing, had received excellent direction and musical coaching, enabling them to tackle even the most difficult songs and harmonies with apparent ease. As a sing through the show is reliant on the lyrics to tell the story.  This calls for good diction and projection, both of which were evident throughout, enabling the audience to hear every word.

Oliver Moss is to be congratulated as Valjean. There were times when I would like to have seen him take a more masterful approach but, overall, this was a good performance with strong vocals. A strong performance by Harry Richards as Javert, the antagonistic Police Inspector and Fantine was nicely played by Oren Pilowsky Bankirer. Her solo “I Dreamed a Dream” was beautifully sung.

A very good performance by Joseph Morris as Marius.  His lovely singing voice really did justice to his emotional solo, “The Café Song”.  Yoav Pilowsky Bankirer was well cast as Enjoiras showing real conviction to the cause as he led the students in “The People’s Song”.

George Sims as Thenardier and Emily Baxter as Mme. Thenardier made the perfect pairing.  They really captured the essence of these despicable characters, making the most of the lyrics in “The Innkeeper’s Song” and bringing some light relief from the storyline whenever they were on stage.  Very well done.

There were lovely performances from Eira Sheridan as Eponine who told us of her unrequited love for Marius with deep emotion and Scarlett Wilkinson as Cosette, Marius’ true love. Well done to Milo Whittaker as the street wise Gavroche and to Isabella Shorten who, as Young Cosette, sang the beautiful “Castle on a Cloud” with such feeling.  A nice performance by Isobel Brogan as the Young Eponine.

All the solos were beautifully sung and the large supporting cast not only added depth to the amazing chorus numbers but stayed in character the whole time.  The band provided excellent accompaniment. I found the violin quite mesmerising at times.

 Costumes were good, as were sound and lighting and the very realistic gun fire.

These were traumatic times and this young cast absolutely got it.

My congratulations to the creatives and everyone else involved in this show.

Thank you for inviting me.

                                                                                   

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