Les Misérables: School Edition – The Renaker Theatre, Z Arts

This is the second staging of Boublil and Schoenberg’s Les Misérables School Edition for the fabulous Manchester Musical Youth theatre company during its ten years of producing award-winning youth theatre. With a cast of sixty-two talented young performers and directed by the phenomenal Dave Holden they have brought this sensational musical score to life at its finest.

Les Misérables: School Edition is based on Victor Hugo’s humongous historical novel of 1862 that covers the twists, turns and tales of the French Revolution. Despite its inherent theme of adversity and misfortune along with the weight of the title, Les Misérables it is not all misery and no-joy-show rather it beautifully brings to stage the profound realities of our deep dark history.

This well-known epic story follows Jean Valjean (Lyall Rowland) as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert (Billy Burrows), who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways from his convict days after he stole a loaf of bread to feed his starving family and spent 19 years in jail. Valjean turns his life around and repents after finding kindness from a bishop (Charlie France), he then assumes a new identity and becomes a wealthy factory owner and mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer. After a misjustice occurs he tries to help a poor factory worker, Fantine (Charlotte Freeman), by saving her young daughter, Cosette (Lucy Brownsword), from the cruel innkeepers Mr Thenardier (Joseph Graham) and Madame Thenardier (Marlie Wright). Valjean’s life is devoted to keeping Cosette safe which later extends to her love match Marius (Laurie Madden), at all costs he protects Marius to ensure his beloved grown up Cosette (Ava Walsh) gets her true love.

It is inconceivable to think that this cast are all 18 and under as the talent is unprecedented for any youth theatre, I have ever experienced in my 50 years of musical theatre involvement. Married couple Dave and Kimberly Holden have the Midas touch when it comes to producing theatre productions as they always strike gold with their winning formula, but this show has surpassed any other I have been honoured to review.

The casting was exquisite with all lead characters perfectly cast to create the model delivery of this magnificent musical. Rowland as Jean Valjean was breathtaking, the maturity of this young man’s voice and acting skills simply blew me away and his rendition of ‘Bring him Home’ brought the whole auditorium to tears with his heart felt performance. Rowland’s vocals would stand alongside any professional production, and I am sure he will have a very successful career in musical theatre.

Madden and Walsh as Marius and Cosette brought real emotion to their roles and seemed to have a genuine connection and perfectly portrayed the nervous, tender, first love of their characters. Both delivered stunning vocals throughout the evening, I was particularly impressed with Madden’s vocal range during his solos and duets which again shown a maturity beyond his years.

Bea Glancy as the doomed Eponine is feisty yet vulnerable and her portrayal of this character was second to none, no surprise to see that this young lady has a huge amount of theatre credits including TV and films under her belt. Her recital of ‘On My Own’ and ‘A little Fall of Rain’ was magnificent as this role was made for her vocal range and control.

Another show stopping moment was Freeman as Fantine with her spine-tingling version of ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ which was just breathtaking.

The evenings performance really came alive when the full ensemble took to the stage, the harmonies were tight, and the supporting cast all shone as individuals whilst supporting the leads. Graham and Wright as the Thenardiers bring much needed light heartedness into the production, this dynamic duo pulled their roles off perfectly with their timely humour and vocals.

Burrows delivered a sterling role as Javert with his faultless interpretation of the character and perfect execution of ‘Stars’. Oliver Horton played the revolutionary student leader Enjolras with all the qualities required for this leading role, I have been honoured to watch this talented young man flourish in MMY and become the impressive performer he is today, and I am sure he will succeed in the world of musical theatre.

Singularly noteworthy was Eden Hamilton as Gavroche in her role as this iconic urchin boy who ultimately runs into the enemy line of fire to retrieve ammunition for the revolutionaries which costs him his life. Hamilton’s solo of ‘Little People’ had me smiling in act one and in floods of tears in act two, huge applause to this young lady for such an outstanding performance.

Each and every cast member did a fantastic job in their contribution to this stunning show and be assured even if I have not mentioned you individually you were all fabulous. From the Students and Gang, Factory Girls, Dock Girls, Turning Girls and Featured Characters you were all sensational and should be very proud of what you have achieved.

Huge credit to the Creative Team, Technical Team and the incredibly talented 12-piece Orchestra under the direction of Kimberly Holden for creating the best night I have had in a theatre for a long time.

The only thing I wish would be that the show could be on longer allowing people to see it again as the tickets are sold out for the rest of the run, as this is a show that needs to be watched time and time again.

Huge Congratulations to everyone involved in this incredible depiction of Les Misérables which is worthy of any professional stage, and I wholeheartedly regret not purchasing more tickets for the opportunity to watch the show again.

Reviewer: Katie Leicester

Reviewed: 17th July 2024

North West End UK Rating: