Les Miserables School Edition

The musical Les Miserables is of course based on the novel first published in 1862 written by Victor Hugo. The show opened in 1985 and despite getting bad press reviews the public liked it. However, it is now the longest running musical in the west end.

As I approached the venue you could see the Marquee from a distance and with its lovely walkway to the entrance you just felt you were going to see something special and what a performance this group gave to the audience, it was spectacular.

The standard of singing whether it was solo, duet or ensemble was excellent and very powerful.

Unfortunately, Jean Valjean played by Francis Laidlow was ill and unable to sing so it was announced at the start of the show that Jack McNeill would sing behind the cloths, but this did not take anything away from Francis playing the part as he acted and lip synced so good you would never of known that it wasn’t him singing.

Honor Lavery as Fantine had an incredible voice, especially when she sang, I Dreamed a Dream, her movement on stage was majestic.

Sam Murray gave a commanding performance as Inspector Javert his vocals were a joy to hear. His rendition of Stars was very strong.

Darielle Hogg playing Eponine had the audience in tears, she gave a sincere and engaging performance with a lovely rendition of On My Own.

Harry Paisley as Marius and Jessica Smyllie as Cosette brought real emotions to their roles, perfectly displaying the tenderness of first love and both sang with true feelings.

After the untimely death of Fantine, Valjean finds her daughter Cosette, being kept as a skivvy by the Thenadier’s a couple who ran the local inn. Playing the duo was Zoe Nelson as Madame Thenadier and Thomas Chandley as Thernadier their comedy timing with their one liners brought a bit of humour to a very emotional show, they were both excellent and excelled in their song Master of the House.

James Laidlow as Enjolras gave an energetic yet sensitive performance as this brave young man, and boy what a powerful voice he had capturing the audience’s attention every time he sang.

I could very easily get carried away and mention every person on stage as you all deserved it but there are far too many to mention, the ensemble was one of the best I have ever seen, from their movements on stage to the powerful singing voices. Especially at the very end when they sang, this gave me goosebumps all over my body. You were all outstanding and that is not just me saying this the audience who rightly gave you all a standing ovation were still talking about the performance well after the show had finished.

The sound and lighting were once again of the highest level so a big shout out to Dan Walters, Jonathan Mellor and Amy Mellor.

The orchestra led by the talented Alison Bedford were stunning, from the moment you started to the very end was so powerful.

Sometimes you don’t judge a show just by the performers but by all the other things that go into the build up and I must say the set design was stunning and you could see all the hard work that had been done by David McNeill and his team, but what about the costumes, they were outstanding. A lot of planning and organising must have gone into this so a huge congratulations to Sallie McNeill and your team.

All music numbers were well choreographed by Karen Woodruff and I am totally amazed at how you manged the full ensemble which shows how much hard work you had put into this.

Now to the producers of the show, David and Sallie McNeill first thing I will say is WOW, what a show you both put on, sometimes the directors/producers do not get the recognition they deserve but you both absolutely smashed this show out of the park. The organization of the whole thing from car parks to Marquee’s the finer detail once inside the Marquee were all first class, I would have no objection to paying top money for this full package it was one of the best experiences I have ever had.

Once again well done to the full ensemble, you were all incredible and very talented, I felt I was watching a professional show.

Jim Morgan

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