REVIEW: LES MISERABLES

Author: Katharine Carradus
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From the minute that the orchestra struck up I knew that we were in for a good evening’s entertainment, and I was not disappointed.
Everyone on stage gave their all, what more can one ask for. I thought that Harry Douglas-Brown encapsulated the scheming and manipulative ‘Master of the House’, Thenardier his vocal performance was convincing, and his chemistry with Chloe Steadman who played Mme Thenardier was very good, they brought that lighter moment to the show.
Connor McClenan was masterful as Jean Valjean, and he was well matched by Alex Murray as Javert, both displaying admirable vocal and dramatic talent. I very much enjoyed Andrew White as Enjolras the leader of the students, he was well cast and understood his role completely, as did Andrew McMinn, what a sincere portrayal as the lovelorn Marius, Isaac Wallace Fillingham was a delight as the cheeky Gavroche I’m sure that there was not a dry eye in the audience when he was killed, what a super part for a young boy. As for the ladies, what can I say except very well done to both ‘Cosettes’ and ‘Eponines’, you were quite lovely. The trio of Amelia Crawford, Becca Milligan, Sophie Mills, playing Cosette, Fantine and Eponine were quite splendid, you were a credit to the society, all other smaller parts were well executed.
All the chorus looked equally involved in the events taking place, acting, singing and moving around the stage with complete involvement in the story line. The set was very imaginative and clever including the barricades and enhanced by good sound and lighting, also the choreography was good as were the costumes, an excellent orchestra as always.
This was an exciting and fast moving production from the opening to the close, when the cast received a well deserved standing ovation, and sustained applause was the reward for these young people. Well done and thank you.