Les Miserables - Schools Edition

Footlights Youth Theatre are the youth section of Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society. We were warmly welcomed by Adrian Tatnall and his front of house staff, shown to our seats and settled in for the evening's entertainment.

The staging was open, with stairs on both stage left and stage right leading to the back wall above a door leading to a courtyard. Situated reasonably far back this gave the cast room to move with ease. The lights dimmed and the orchestra started with the oh so familiar themes. The fourteen piece band made a terrific sound with a good balance between the strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. The cast entered with good confidence and started well. The movement on stage was good and the choreography by Lindsay Smith was simple yet effective. The lighting was effective and enhanced the overall feel and mood changes throughout, mothing was lost or couldn't be seen, especially in the darker moments of the piece.

The cast were well led by Sam Fitzsimmons as Javert and backed well by Vicky Willingham as Fantine, Florence Reid as Epinine, Tyrese Adams as Marius and Rafferty Coope as Jean Valjean. They were all confident in their approach and delivery. Harry Evans and Abi Burfield worked very well together as the Thenardiers, good comedy and timing was excellent.  Given the popularity of Les Miserable, the supporting cast was large but made a grand sound with the larger chorus numbers (At the end of the day, the inkeeper's song etc) great to hear..

The mix of good choreography, creditable staging (with swift scene changes by Stage manager Mike Mullen and his crew) good lighting and a great orchestra made this overall a very enjoyable evening. Well done to the FYT team, cast and crew.

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