Les Misérables School Edition

Les Misérables - School Edition a musical performed by SONG at The Atkinson Theatre, Lord Street, Southport on Thursday 11th April, 2024

I’m not one for ‘shedding tears’ watching live theatre… OK that probably isn’t totally true, but what is true, is that I’ve never shed tears nor had a major goose bump moment watching a rehearsal… that was until the 3rd March 2024 when, I was invited to a ‘Les Mis’ rehearsal. I sat, just feet away watching the scene where Éponine dies in the arms of Marius … OMG I thought to myself, if this is a rehearsal without lights, orchestra, scenery or costumes, what am I going to be like when this is staged!  So, 11th April arrived, I took my seat alongside a ‘full house’ at The Atkinson, and just waited… was I, were we to be disappointed … from the applause and responses throughout and from the ‘standing ovation’ that greeted the ‘finale’ … I THINK NOT!  (Were there any tears… what do you think!)

Les Misérables, affectionally known as ‘Les Mis’, is the stage adaptation of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel of the same name. This sung-through musical was originally written in French by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boubil and Jean-Marc Natel and was first staged in 1980. After a short run in Paris, Cameron Mackintosh heard the soundtrack and decided to produce an English-language version. Facts: the script has now been translated in 22 languages, seen in 53 countries by more than 130 million people… not bad for a musical first dubbed… "a witless and synthetic piece of entertainment"!

The Production Team… charged with bringing this piece of musical excellence to stage was Karen Edge (Director) and the musical maestro that is Andrew Standeven (Musical Director) and what a job they made of this iconic musical!  In their programme notes, both thank Chris Rimmer (Associate MD and Vocal Coach) for his help, expertise and guidance which was evident throughout. There was little or no doubt that these three had laid down challenges for this group of amazing young people to deal with, challenges that were accepted and overcome… which resulted in the justified standing ovation that greeted the finale. With a cast of thirty-seven and so many ‘iconic songs’ to navigate, it was imperative, for the success of this show, that detail and direction be to the fore… and it was!  Detail like Jean Valjean’s slight facial reaction and body movement as he sat behind the barricade, when he hears the name ‘Marius’ and realises this is the man!  The positioning of Jean Valjean when Cosette is comforting Marius… no need for words ... he appears USR in the mist, like a ghost figure, such an eerie moment, but so loud!  Be ever so proud of what you all helped achieve!    

The Cast… Sticky neck out time … MY ‘Show Stealer/Favourites’… but folks “I have a problem” … in my humble opinion, to start suggesting that ‘someone was better than someone else’, when it was so obvious that the success of this production was down to the ‘whole and not an individual’ would be wrong… so if I may, please let me first identify the cast and then ‘give just a few shout outs’ later!  Principal cast members:  Harry Corcoran - ‘Jean Valjean’, Orlando Campolucci-Bordi - ‘Javert’, Kai-enna Mook - ‘Eponine’, Tess Wright - Fantine, Evan Thorpe – ‘Marius’, Amaya Spencer – ‘Cosette’, Joseph Bigley - ‘Thenardier’ / ‘Bishop of Digne’, Georgia Hankin - ‘Madam Thenardier’, Jack Smith - ‘Enjolras’ / ’The Foreman’, Isaac Shea - ‘Gavroche’, Lucy Scott - ‘Young Cosette’, Bella Cumia - ‘Young Eponine’.  Ensemble - Andrew Dunnett-Edge - ‘Bamatabois’ / ‘Combeferre’, Dylan Bayliff - ‘Courfeyrac’ / ‘Judge’, Charlie Gerring - ‘Joly’, Ewan Harris - ‘Feuilly’, Leo Rawsthorne – ‘Grantaire’, Michael Stopyra – ‘Lesgles’, Charlie Roberts – ‘Jean Prouvaire’.  Evie- Anne Allen – ‘Montparnasse’, Ofelia Crompton – ‘Claquesous’, Ben Gregory – Babet / Major Domo, Elesha Nolan – ‘Brujon’. , Workers, Nuns, guests and gangs… Lola Birtles, Amelia Casserley, Finlay Casserley, Isabelle Culshaw, Grace Cunningham, Claudia Currie, Nathaniel Grills, Annie Heaton, Madelin Hutchings, Milly Johnson, April Humphreys, Jess Jackson, Amelia Rose Smith, Fleur Grace Wigmore.  ‘Shout Outs’ … I’m going for MY ‘Super Six’… there’s little doubt that everyone will have your own ‘favourites’ but these are mine… HARRY CORCORAN’s portrayal of ‘Jean Valjean’ was as good as it gets!  I’ve had the privilege, over the years, to see Harry take on many roles, but in my opinion, this was his BEST!  Confident, assured, simply how to lead a show from the front, a truly awesome performance that I will remember for a long time, be very proud!  KAI-ENNA MOOK took on the role of ‘Eponine’ and ‘knocked it out the park’.  Powerful, self-assured, driven, captured the character perfectly’. I talk about ‘my tears’… it was her ‘death scene’ with Marius during rehearsal that brought me to tears as it did in the show… Kai’s rendition of ‘On MY Own’ was a ‘show highlight’ for me!  EVAN THORPE was the one who brought the character of ‘Marius’ to life. The romantic hero of the story and the other person responsible for ‘my tears’.  Evan gave us everything and more… loved ‘Empty Chairs and Empty Tables’ be proud sir!  ORLANDO-CAMPOLUCCI-BORDI made the role of ‘Javert’ his own! Strong personality powerful presence on stage, seems to be making a habit of portraying the ‘nasty pastie’ of late, but what a fabulous job he made of this! Loved the staging of his death scene… impactive, brought the house down!  Cheating just a little, ‘two for the price of one’… ‘The Thenardiers’, JOE BIGLEY and GEORGIA HANKIN took on the roles of Mr and Mrs Thenardier and played them with great aplomb, creating two more amazing characters.  Worked really well together and I just loved the ‘goings on’ and their rendition of ‘Master of the House’, be proud you two. TESS WRIGHT’s wonderful portrayal of ‘Fantine’ is my final choice.  Tess took us on a journey, creating this totally believable character, a fabulous interpretation from someone so young!  Honestly, MY ‘Super Six’, could have been any number really… it could have even been MY ‘Captivating Cast’!  This really was a ‘complete cast performance’, so please be assured that none of your efforts or characters disappointed … this was a fabulous production, that should live with you for ever!

The Band… led by Andrew Standeven (MD) included Corey Gerrad and Dan Rankin (Keyboards), Niamh Boland, William Lacey-Kiggins, Sarah Dutch (Woodwind), Emma Lenehan, Phil Appleton, Cliff Ray, Adam Dutch (Brass), Jess Holding, Richie Dunne, Nieve Mannion, Rob Rainford (Strings) and Sam Jones (Percussion) … great sound, great support for singers… be ever so proud!

Set/Tech/Staging… Radley Haynes/Francesca Bates (Stage Manager & Deputy respectively) along with their Back Stage Crew … Chris Morris, Ed McKillop and Pete Beswick did a fabulous job with the staging of this production.  Quick, slick scene changes, many completed in front of the audience that allowed the production to flow and which enhanced the enjoyment … be proud folks, great job!  We also had some inventive lighting and projection created by Karen Edge and Paul Shacksmyth-Claire and the Lighting Team. Both these elements helped create this wonderful atmosphere whilst providing us with some superb visual effects.  Sound… a couple of quiet ‘mikes’, but nothing that affected the overall enjoyment … Sound Design by Matt Hughes.

Wardrobe… costumes were fabulous, apt and enhanced the production ever so much…under the watchful eye of Karen Fairclough (Wardrobe Mistress) hired from Charades Theatrical Costumes.  Props… authentic and enhanced the production … under the care of Bev and Zara Newton and Libby Stephens.  (Special mention to Mark McManus who ‘specially made’ and provided the prop guns)

Chaperones… Youth Productions could not happen without those special selfless people who provide the safe environment for these young people… they include Guy Wigmore (Safeguarding Officer), Bev Newton, Lynne Wigmore, Pam Scott, Selina Birtles, Heather Culshaw, Pippa Morris and Katherine Smith… be proud folks… without you, this amazing production would never have happened!

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I to your production and my invite to your rehearsal. Thanks also for allowing me to speak with these inspirational young people both during that rehearsal and after tonight’s performance… I really do feel so proud and privileged to be part of this! 

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’ (You’re not wrong, John!)
Jim Briscoe -
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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