Les Misérables School Edition

This was my first visit to Curtain Call and I was delighted to attend especially for a performance of the wonderful Les Misérables (School Edition).

What can one say as a back ground about this show other than surely the greatest musical of all times (not that I am biased in any way whatsoever). The musical Les Misérables is of course based on the novel first published in 1862 written by Victor Hugo. The show opened in 1985 and the initial reviews were not positive, however it is now the longest running musical in the West End.  

Back to Theatre Severn and Curtain Call.

The audience entered the auditorium to see an open set consisting of a back wall with double opening doors which were used throughout the performance. Stage left and right were flats which were again effective and used as seating areas and stowing of props until used.  

With twelve picks pre-set on the stage, the opening was powerful and well-lit onto each of the chain gang as they had their solo lines during the ‘Prologue’ work song.

The show is of course sung throughout. The standard of singing whether solo, duet or ensemble was a pleasure to hear and did not disappoint at all.

Jean Valjean was played sensitively by Charlie Yeomans. ‘Bring Him Home’ during ‘The Night’ was one of the many highlights of the show. Well done for managing a difficult part with some challenging pieces of music to master.

Obsessed with tracking down Valjean was Josh Lucas as Javert. A noteworthy performance, with good stage presence. ‘Stars’ was exceptional and the audience loved it (as did I). As with Charlie not only were the vocals good but so was the quality of the acting.  ‘Javert’s Suicide’ scene was extremely well staged.

Katie Watkins as Fantine gave a strong performance and delivered a wonderful ‘I Dreamed a Dream’.  Her interpretation of imagining the presence of Cosette was done with great feeling.  

‘Castle on a Cloud’ was well sung by Bea Taylor as Young Cosette before the arrival of the iconic Thenardier’s played by Henry Rhodes and Cassie Preece who made the most of ‘The Innkeeper Song’ or ‘Master of the House’. The inn scene was as raucous as intended.

The standout musical number of the evening was delivered by Sienna Lily O’Brien as Eponine with ‘On My Own’. A wonderful performance with great emotion.

Gavroche played by George Coales was suitably checky and won the hearts of the audience,

It may seem strange to say the shooting and dying of the students at the barricade during ‘The Final Battle’ was well acted and did not fail to be effective.

Marius played by Stan Dudzinski–Grubb was strong throughout and gave a superb performance during ‘The Café Song’ ‘Empty Chairs and Empty Tables’. Freya Poulton as Cosette was equally strong.

The ensemble was large – I counted 50 (maybe more). They managed the numbers well with great energy such as in ‘Master of the House’ and ‘One Day More’ with enthusiasm. I am sorry I can’t name everyone involved.

Many scenes used no more than tables and chairs allowing seamless changes. The gate (used for Valjean’s house on Rue Plumet), the bridge for the suicide and of course the barricade were all a good standard and used to their maximum. Having to leave the barricade in place for the whole of act two was fine and continued to be used such as at the wedding without any distraction.

Costumes including footwear were in keeping with the show. The expected coat for Javert, the uniform for Thenardier were all there. Wigs were well used (most dressed well) although Jean Valjean did seem to age dramatically during the interval. The cutting of Fantine’s hair was done on stage hidden by the ensemble which worked well with good effect including concealing getting the long wig off stage.

Sound generally worked well, there were a few microphone issues but these did not unnerve the cast.

The audience loved the performance, and why wouldn’t they have? The whole audience gave a well-deserved standing ovation for the curtain call.

Thank you to all at Curtain Call – I look forward to seeing you again.

Andy Brown

West Midlands Regional Councillor

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.