May 2009
Les Miserables (School Edition)
Three years after performing the school edition of Les Mis for the first time, this talented company had a second shot at the world's favourite musical, and they didn't disappoint.
A new cast of 42, ages ranging from 10 to 18, showed considerable maturity in staging the hit show in front of large audiences who warmed to the efforts of the youngsters.
There was even the revolving stage and that dramatic barricade, and director Alan Hackett ensured that the special effects and battle scenes were realistic. Just one blip when the bridge being lowered from above stage almost flattened Inspector Javert just before he was due to comit suicide.
Sam Strafford was certainly one of the stars as the single-minded policeman, determined to track down ex-convict Jean Valjean who makes good and becomes Mayor of Montrueill-Sur-Mar.
A sound performance, too, from Alex Gibbs playing Valjean, while Gill Peters sang beautifully as Eponine, Sarah Hemming sparkled in the role of Madame Thenardier, wife of the fiddling inkeeper (Sean Brady), and Simon Hall impressed as Marius.
Lauren Neale (Fantine), Sarah Jennings (Cosette), Joe Sefton (Gavroche) and James Reidy (Enjolras) all contributed to a fine show in which the chorus work was outstanding.
Richard Ganner was musical director of Les Mis which closed on Saturday night.
Paul Marston
Walsall Observer, Sutton News, Lichfield Post
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