Les Miserables ( School Edition )

Les Misérables – School Edition

By Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg

Performed by Centre Stage at Exmouth Community College Theatre

On Tuesday 29th October 2024

Directed and Choreographed by Sue Bonnett

Musical Director – Joseph Binmore

Les Misérables was first performed as a musical in London in 1985. The story is based on the Victor Hugo novel, first published in 1862 and is the story of the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris.

This is the first time Centre Stage have performed at this theatre space and with the challenge of building a set from scratch. As the audience entered to take their seats we were greeted with a realistic, impoverished street scene, steps up on stage right and left to a raised terrace held up by three pillars, one with an opening used to great effect by the cast, painted in browns, greys and blacks depicting an impoverished area of France. This gave the cast superb use of the stage with access from six exits on and off stage. The area under the terrace was lit perfectly, representing the dankness of the sewers and used as entrances to the Thenardier’s Inn. With white material hanging above, giving the interpretation of washing hanging from the windows and balconies of the slums of Paris. A really impressive back- drop for this incredible musical.  Surprisingly, in Act 2, the barricades appear, built and designed by the company and made up of three huge trucks which showed the actors ‘behind the barricades.

The lighting design was dramatic and notable. With the use of stage downlights to spot characters such as Fantine, spotted in white, the use of red stage footlights for the ‘lovely ladies’, the purples used for ‘I dreamed a dream’, the barricades lit with whites and reds, strobe lighting during the battle with reds representing the blood spilt, the gentle browns and muted yellows through ‘Bring Him Home’ and so much more. I felt like I was watching a professional production. The sound was incredible too. I was sat by a speaker at the front of the auditorium and the levels between the orchestra and actor’s individual mics was remarkable. I could hear every word sung from every actor. I have to acknowledge when mentioning the orchestra, I wrongly assumed, during the first act that this was recorded music. Please forgive me for not reading the programme before the start of the performance. I then realised, seeing the MD’s face, Joseph Binmore, on the monitor below the sound and lighting desk! The fourteen strong orchestra were exceptional, really wonderful and located in a separate room behind the stage. The sound engineers from Seventh Wave Audio performed miracles with this production.  The technical team are so important and they supported the actors with great expertise. Well done indeed.

This is likely to be a long report as I feel the need to comment on individual and ensemble performances at length, so please bear with me.

Jean Valjean is a complex character who ages and has to show a range of feelings throughout the story. A challenge mastered by this actor. He relished this part and you could see it. The compassion with Fantine, his care and love for Cosette and his impassioned plea to God during ‘Bring Him Home’ was emotive and beautiful.

This is a show where there is little dialogue and is sung throughout. Each actor had to show through the music and lyrics their emotions and my goodness, the actor portraying Javier did this in spades. From the moment he stepped on stage in a dark blue buttoned long coat and bicorne hat, this actor was the police inspector, Javier. With a strong sense of duty and the need to track down Jean Valjean, he sang with a voice of real quality for someone of his age. A strong baritone whose voice and characterisation were constantly good throughout his performance. ‘Stars’ gave me goosebumps and ‘Javert’s Suicide’ was full of emotion.  Fantine, whose demise was brutal not only by the foremen and his workers but the lovely ladies too, was acted with composure. Her love for her child was beautifully shown and ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ was heartfelt and despairing (well done for not taking a breath as you sang ‘Shame’). I also loved the three-part harmony between Fantine, Jean Valjean and Eponine during The Epilogue which reduced me and many others in the audience to tears. Incredible performance.

The Lovely Ladies I do need to mention, at this point. Well, these ladies, dressed in red and black bustier’s, raised skirts and stockings, each had their own character, each with great singing voices, were deliciously naughty. Producing a fab sound together and individually during ‘The Docks’.

The amusement continued with the entrance of the Thenadier’s.  Monsieur and Madam Thenadier, corrupt innkeepers, were hilarious, Thenadier with a powerful voice is portrayed as a perfectly cocky, almost lovable, cheat and liar by this actor. Complimented by his wife, Madam Thenadier, who shows her bitterness toward her husband, during ‘The Innkeepers Song’ with a lovely mezzo soprano voice and perfect clear diction. Her meanness toward Little Cosette was altogether as nasty as it should be. Great comic timing from both. Little Cosette was delightful and with a sweet voice sang ‘Castle on a Cloud’ with confidence, as she nervously swept the floor.

Eponine, the daughter of the Thenadier, who is in love with Marius, was played by a young actor who is gifted with a stunning musical voice and the natural ability to act. Such an incredible and believable performance and ‘On My Own’ I have never heard sang better. It almost brought the audience to their feet, erupting instead, with thunderous applause. Exceptional.  Marius was as convincing. A handsome young actor, cast perfectly for this part, and with a voice of pure quality. You immediately fell in love with this character and more so as he performed a heartfelt interpretation of ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’. His immense love for Cosette was palpable especially during ‘A Heartful of Love’.  The actor portraying Cosette is possessed of a pure sweet soprano voice and a wonderful ability to use it. Her interaction with Jean Valjean and Marius showed the gentleness of the character. A good performance from such a young actor.

As I continue to wax lyrical about this production, I feel I would like to mention every actor on stage, every solo line, every character but that is not possible. Suffice it to say every cameo or ensemble role from the chain gang, wardens, constables, the poor of Paris, the Factory Workers, Sailors, Lovely ladies and Wedding guests, performed with enthusiasm and each sang with confidence.

The students, led by Enjolras included a plethora of talent. The part of Enjolrais was created by an actor with a remarkable tenor voice and a strong stage presence. The students with him are the confronting and educated Combeferre, Feully, who is a working man, Marius’ closest friend Courfayrac, Joly the medical student, Grantaire who would follow Enjolras anywhere, good humoured Lesgles and Jean Provaire who is shy, yet brave.  Each sang well, alone or together and each made you feel they meant every word, especially ‘Red and Black’ in the ABC Café and ‘Drink with Me’.  The students are assisted by the young Gavroche during the battle and gave the audience a light-hearted yet strong performance of ‘Little People’. Young Eponine was delightful. The Abbess of Digne sang beautifully.  Thenadier’s gang, Patron-Minette, consisted of Montparnasse, Claquesous and Babet, perfectly nasty and grubby, as these murderers and villains should be.

There was a not a weak link within this cast. Everyone performed with enthusiasm and you could see the enjoyment in every one of their faces as they sang such an incredible musical score. Huge chorus numbers such as ‘One Day More’, ‘At the End of the Day’ and ‘Do You Hear the People Sing’ were dynamic and impressive. As an audience member watching you experience a roller-coaster of emotions so I cannot comprehend how it must feel to perform in Les Misérables.

The costuming of such a large cast is challenging. The director, Sue Bonnett should be congratulated for such attention to detail for the authentic wardrobe and make-up of the piece. Mme Thenadier orange top and skirt with a mucky face, Thenadier’ s green hat, blue jacket and dirty apron, the Abbess’ robes, Enjolras red and gold braided waistcoat, Marius’ blue jacket and white cravat, bustiers for the lovely ladies, everyone, depending on their status, was dressed in the period or with added dirt to their faces. Nothing was missed.  Sue is an incredible director and strives for the very best from her actors and it pays off.  Joseph Binmore commanded a stunning orchestra and, after much hard work in rehearsals, a beautiful sound from the cast.

This was, indeed, a triumph for Centre Stage. A stunning cast of young talented performers who have achieved a superior version of one of the most loved musicals in history. You deserve every accolade or plaudits you receive and I am sure your audiences will continue to talk about this production for years to come.  If I could have watched it again and again, I would have.

Congratulations to all involved.

Lyn Burgoyne

Noda Representative (District 5, Mid and East Devon)

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