Les Miserables, School Edition

                                    

I was warmly received on arrival by Teegan Deeks and Bailey Boyce and met with Director Sam McCarthy during the evening.

The cast  of nearly 30 very talented young people were aged between 7 and 18 years of age and everyone sang, danced and acted to a high standard. Several covered more than one role. The stage was used very well with characters entering via the wings or coming on to the stage through the audience. The set was constructed by the society with a street scene in Act One changed to the barricades for Act Two. There was an ingenious entrance to the sewers positioned to one side with gates to Valjean’s house on the other side. Scene changes took place seamlessly with props bought on by the crew, often whilst a spot light on a singer diverted the audience’s attention from the changes. The sound effects and lighting worked well and the characters could all be heard very clearly. The costumes, makeup and wigs were all very good and appropriate to the characters. The music was provided by backing tracks and so well rehearsed was the cast that no timing problems were noticed.

The casting of characters was excellent with most actors clearly enjoying their role. There are some challenging songs in this musical and, without exception, these young actors rose to the challenge and produced a stellar and polished performance. The ensemble were really enthusiastic in their singing and dancing and there were many small roles in Thenardier’s gang and as students.

Tom Hume-Steer played the lead role of Jean Valjean very well indeed. He acted, sang and moved on stage effortlessly and made the part his own. Aaron Elam played a strong and devious Javert and was excellent in this role. Tristan Mathieson-Scott played Thenardier, the inn keeper and was very well matched with Ruby Cowley as Madame Thenardier.  A great performance of “Master Of The House.” What a pair ! There were very strong performances from Eliza Cole, as Enjolras, a student leader and from Elijah Hamilton, as Marius also a student leader.

Mia Slim played Fantine in a very sensitive way with a beautifully sung solo,”I Dreamed A Dream.” Lexi Grint played Cosette wonderfully with a beautiful rendering of “A Heart Full Of Love” with Marius and Eponine, the latter played robustly by Sophie Edwards. I also liked the small roles played by Poppi Williams as Little Cosette and Alexis Will as Young Eponine and I enjoyed the performance of the five “Lovely Ladies”.

The audience was clearly very engaged with the show and applauded enthusiastically throughout .Giovanni Alldred, a very cheeky seven year old playing Gavroche  possibly gained most applause due to the confident way in which he played the character and sang “Little People”.

So many of my favourite songs here that I cannot favour one specific one. Suffice it to say that I was both delighted and impressed with the talents and enthusiasm of the Youth Performers. Huge credit must go to GabrielleTyler, Musical Director, Phoebe Wiggett, Choreographer, Teegan Deeks, Assistant Director and most of all to Director, Sam McCarthy for his innovation and vision.

A production that all can be proud of !

NODA owns the intellectual Property Rights to the content of all show reports written by NODA Councillors, Reps and Assistant Reps 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.