Les Miserables - School Edition

Les Misérables School Edition is a specially adapted version of the much-loved musical "Les Misérables," by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg and is tailored for student performers. It maintains the essence and emotional depth of the original but is slightly condensed and modified to suit younger actors.

One thing I’m loving about being a Rep is seeing the actors in the youth groups develop with each show I see and BAOS Youth is a great example of this, all the performances were so strong and I loved seeing your performers tackle different styles of role and witness how their vocals have matured and developed. It was a great evening’s entertainment, you have so much talent in this group. I really loved this production and you shous all be proud of what you achieved.

On arrival there was an open set, with a raised bridge across the back, with a staircase, stage left facing into the stage, and on-stage right, a raised multi-level truck providing extra levels. This truck doubled as the Barricade, which really worked so well. The set looked great, there were moments I thought it possibly could have been used more, a lot of the principal action was set downstage front. 

The atmosphere was suitably dark with plenty of haze effect throughout adding to the dramatic effect. The blinders, worked brilliantly for the transformation in and out of the Barricade, but I felt that perhaps they were used a little too much, losing their impact a little. I loved the drain gobo effects which worked brilliantly in that scene. 

Sound worked well throughout and was well cued. The balance was generally very good. In the battle scene there were moments when I lost the vocals, but it didn’t lose its impact. 

Costumes were fabulous and mostly appropriate and of the period, but please don’t forget the shoes/boots.

In Reviewing the Principal Performances:

Jean Valjean. This is a beast of a role, and you managed this so well. It’s difficult for young performers to “age” believably and you did this well. Your vocals were great  “Bring Him Home” a highlight.

Javert. From your first entrance you fully inhabited this role. You had a great physical presence and you maintained this throughout. You managed to illicit some sympathy during “Javerts Suicide” not easy to do. 

Cosette. A beautiful Soprano voice, perfect for this role, you sung beautifully. 

Marius. A heartfelt and sincere performance. “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” was so emotional.

Fantine. Your acting through song was beautiful. It was a lovely contained and emotional performance. 

Eponine. You were perfect for this role, reminding me of a young Samantha Barks. Your vocal tone is just lovely. “On My Own” was beautifully performed. 

Thenardier and Madame Thernadier. You had a great relationship going here, working so well together and maintaining your suitably unpleasant characters throughout, providing the much-needed comic relief. I loved the scene where Valjean was taking Cosette, you really got the comedy down. Just be careful not to go too far when more in the background and take all the attention away from important parts of the story. It’s a tricky balance.

Young Cosette. Again perfect casting, lovely, sweet voice.

Enjolras. Vocally this is such a difficult sing and you managed so well. Some lovely pure high notes, although quiet at times you still managed to show us the characters dedication to the cause, him rallying the students to fight for a better future.

Gavroche. You captured this cheeky character fully, providing some much-needed comedy moments which made your tragic ending even more emotional. 

The entire ensemble all worked very well in supporting the principle cast and providing a wide range of colourful and vivid characters and playing multiple roles throughout. The singing was both stirring and emotional. I loved “Drink With me” which gave some solo opportunities. 

As a mostly sung through and very emotionally charged musical, it’s a very tough and vocally demanding musical to perform and everyone in the cast did this so well. Its impressive to see such young performers expressing such mature emotions and themes brilliantly. I think some of the principals may have been tiring a little bit vocally towards the end. So, with my Vocal health head on, it’s so important to include and consider this when dealing with adolescent and developing voices, especially in such a demanding show like this.

As I’ve said many times Les Misérables is a very challenging show both musically and emotionally/dramatically and BAOS Youth did such an amazing job, every single member of the team had clearly worked so hard to produce such a wonderful performance. Well done all!

 

                                                                                                                         PLEASE NOTE:

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that his assessment will be effected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances, and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

 

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