It has to be said that should either Geoff or
myself be asked which musical is my favourite we would probably say
“Les Miserables”. Although
I have seen other shows more often it is still top of my pops and
although it is some time since we have seen a professional production of
“Les Mis” it was with both excited anticipation and some trepidation
that we went to see ‘Why Not?’ Musical Theatre Company’s version
of the School Edition, the
criteria for performers is that they must be 19 years old or younger and
in full time education at the time of the performance.
The reassuring part of the equation is that
Graeme Melvin:- co-producer/director, Alan Gibson:- musical director and
Theresa Puddefoot:- choreographer are all known entities. We have been
to see shows they have all been involved in before and have been
presented with top quality productions.
I am therefore delighted to be able to say that
the ‘Why Not’s’ production of Les Miserables School Edition is not
only top of the class, but many of the performers should graduate with
first class honours and be able, should they wish to, go on to further
starring roles with professional companies. I was stunned at the superb
quality of the overall presentation, despite the occasional opening
night problems, some of which the professionals might find it difficult
to cope with, these young and in some cases fairly inexperienced
performers soldiered on, seemingly unfazed by unexpected occurrences.
Les Mis, although generally an ensemble
production, is always judged on the performances of eleven main
characters of which Jean Valjean, on this occasion the very talented
Andrew Gourla,y is on stage from start to finish. The second lead Javert
is Valjeans antithesis who sees life as being, either black or white,
right or wrong. A factory worker Fantine for whose death Valjean sees
himself responsible and therefore takes her daughter Cosette as his own.
He rescues Cosette from the clutches of M. Thenardier and Mme Thenardier
depriving their daughter Eponine of her playfellow.
In the future we meet the students Marius and Enjolras whose
idealistic ideas eventually lead to the deaths of many of their friends.
Andrew Gourlay as Valjean was superb his
rendition of ‘Bring Him Home’, as good if not better than some I
have seen during the many professional productions I have witnessed all
over the UK. He seems to develop with the ageing of his character
displaying a very great talent.
Joseph Hannan as Javert provided an excellent
foil for Valjean.
Rebecca McNiff plays Fantine. She portrays
the role with a sensitivity and understanding far beyond her years. Her
rendition of 'I Dreamed a Dream' is beautifully done and enough to move
the audience to tears.
M and Mme Thenardier, Ryan Rodger and Emma
Steedman, provide most of the comical relief in what can be seen as a
very depressing musical and although this responsibility falls on young
shoulders they both fulfil everything expected of them.
The love triangle of Cosette (Elanor Gudgin),
Marius (Darren-Philip Johnson) and Eponine (Fiona Cuthbert) is totally
believable and these three display some more amazing vocal talent.
Rhys Turner as Gavroshe and Amber Russell as
little Cosette may both have small parts but they both played them
extremely well.
Out of the main characters we get to know
Jordan Ratcliffe as Enjolras was possibly the most surprising. In the
context of the show considering the ages of all the performers he looked
just about right for the leader of the student insurrection but it was
when we heard him sing that the suitability of the casting became
evident. In a production with so many very good voices it should have
been expected.
The rest of the cast seem to take all the
entering and exiting stage in their collective strides. ‘Les Mis’
unlike many other musicals requires a large chorus to enable the story
to progress from age to age seamlessly and did not at any time seem to
have the usual youth theatre problem of too many bodies on stage for the
sake of it. With the usual opening night, which way do I get off stage,
moments hardly noticed by the excellent changes of focus provided by,
clever directing, choreography, lighting and musical arrangements.
 The Orchestra conducted by Musical Director
Alan Gibson consist of; Frances McGlashen, Agnes Thomson, Richard
Johnston, Stephen Hamilton, Paul Castledine, David Wilson, Bill Giles,
Alison Hall, Stuart Brand, Peter Robinson and Ian Boulter named in order
as appear in the programme, more than capable in adapting to the
happenings on stage and producing the beautiful music of the show.
All in all with the quality of choreography,
direction, production, performances, music quality and obvious totally
committed enthusiasm from everyone involved this production deserves to
be the sell out success it is apparently heading for if the scarcity of
seats for future performances is to go by.
We left, as did all the audience we saw and
heard in tears having enjoyed a superb nights entertainment and wanting
more. It only brought to our attention just how much Geoff and I have
missed seeing a production of ‘Les Miserables’. Congratulations to
everyone involved for producing a fantastic show.
By the way although Geoff had sworn off going
to any more youth theatre musicals, he admitted to the desire to return
later in the run and enjoy this superb production again!
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