May 2009
Les Miserables
VERDICT: *****
This splendid young company tackles its mighty challenge head-on - and emerges with its head held high.
Alan Hackett's sure-footed production is blessed with individuals whose singing voices have a surprising, sometimes riveting, maturity, as they evince emotions that range from passion to tenderness.
The voice of Gill Peters (Eponine) is outstanding - but the entire company comes with equal confidence and success, whether it is to the jokey Master of the House or the stirring tones of the famous anthems. Alex Gibbs excels as Valjean with a remarkable vocal range, and he is surrounded by huge support led by Simon Hall, Lauren Neale, Sarah Jennings, James Reidy, Sean Brady and Sarah Hemming - these last two clearly revelling in their raucous roles in the bakery.
Slice it where you like, the quality brims. Tom Price (Grantaire) and Sam Strafford (Javert) are giving their all, as are young Joe Sefton (Gavroche), the tiny Codee-Leigh Williams (Little Cosette) and the high-energy chorus.
It's guaranteed to skewer you to your seat, and it runs to Saturday.
John Slim
The Birmingham Evening Mail
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