Les Miserables – School Edition

Report

Author: Roger D. Buist

WOW! Congratulations are in order for the young members of this cast who played and sung the main roles in this very difficult musical score. It is a “heavy” sing for them and, listening and seeing them perform their arduous roles, one really cannot believe that people so young (all under the age of 18!) can pull off these difficult stage characters with immaculate success! It was “House Full” for the entire run of this show showing how popular this show is. From the moment the curtain rose on the opening scene, one was immediately drawn into this tale of love, revenge, death, and revolution. The show has two very challenging roles and, in the part of Jean Valjean, Robbie Lamond excelled himself. He was strong and steady and dependable throughout and his “Bring Him Home” was well controlled and a delight to the ears. Running him close for stage honours was Andrew Watson as the unyielding Police Inspector Javert bent on revenge, and always turning up like a bad penny to thwart Valjean’s civilian, peaceful, life. His “Stars” and “Suicide” were dramatically outstanding. Esme Anderson outshined as Life’s “hopeless” Fantine, hoping to better herself in life for her daughter, Cosette, with “I Dreamed A Dream”. Eponine, was brought wistfully to the stage with a real boyish charm by Georgina Middleton, who had “A Heart Full Of Love”. When the love story takes over, the lovers were robustly played by Nathan Browne as Marius and Sarah Lamont as Cosette. Both players were true to their roles and acted and sung their parts with total conviction. What comedy there is in the show is supplied by the “dreadful” duo, the innkeeping Thenardiers! Zac Brownlow was faultless as the sly, slimy, Master Of The House Innkeeper, and Connie Uribe was flawless in her role as the equally nasty innkeeper’s wife! And both looked to be having a great time performing their roles! There was a tremendous stage presence shown by Roman Baradhi as revolutionary Enjolras, and the audience’s hearts went out to young Imogen McConville as the badly-treated Young Cosette, and to cheeky Gavroche, a super cameo from Louis McGregor. His “death” was the signal for “tissue time”, as was the finale of the show when all the ghosts of the past reappear. There was an enthusiastic singing company of revolutionaries, the chain gang, and the lovely ladies of the night! The famous musical song numbers were greeted by sustained applause throughout and the continued long-standing ovation the entire company received at the end of the show was well and truly deserved! Job well done!