The wealth of talent on display at the New Wolsey Theatre with the Co-Op Juniors Schools Edition of Les Miserables, was quite frankly breathtaking.
Photo Credit: Mike Kwasniak – ensemble cast.
The Co-Op Juniors present the schools edition of the record breaking West End and Broadway show Les Miserables, which means it runs around half an hour shorter than the full version, with some of the numbers losing a verse or so. Other than that the characters, story and score is the same.
It’s a complicated piece musically and requires strong lead vocals and close ensemble harmonies. The Co-Op Juniors have an excellent reputation for top quality productions and this show only goes to confirm and build on that.
Photo Credit : Mike Kwasniak – ensemble cast.
The ensemble cast were excellent with wonderful acting, singing and movement. If you don’t know Les Miserables then all the dialogue is also sung, so it’s essential you have clear voices for the leads and chorus and everyone did. This is a big cast so I’m going to mention a few stand out favourites of mine, but be assured there are no weak links in this supremely talented cast.
Photo Credit : Mike Kwasniak – Sam Finan as Jean Valjean.
Sam Finan plays Jean Valjean with strength and authority. Valjean turns his life around from prison to become town mayor and factory owner and rescues the sickly and desperate Fantine, played by Evie Harling with a wonderful combination of fragility and passion; her version of I Dreamed A Dream is heart wrenching.
Photo Credit : Mike Kwasniak – Evie Harling as Fantine.
Jerome Lane takes on one of the most difficult roles in the show, Javert, who is not a sympathetic character, yet has one of the most famous and beautiful songs in the song, Stars. He tackles it well and conveys Javert’s pride along with his obsession with Valjean.
Reuben Sampson and Kacie Everett are devilishly evil as the comedy couple Thenardier and Madame Thenardier and their big number Master of the House brings the house down.
Photo Credit: Mike Kwasniak – Reuben Sampson and Kacie Everett as Thenardier and Madame Thenardier.
I’d like to mention the three youngest members of the cast, Matilda Borrett as Little Cosette, Chloe Boardley as Young Eponine and Leo Bensusan as Gavroche who all give mature, sterling performances and get huge and fully deserved cheers in the curtain call.
Lovers Marius and Cosette, played by Ed Parsons and Laurel Meyer, are a perfect combination and their voices blend beautifully on the romantic duet A Heart Full of Love
Photo Credit: Mike Kwasniak – Ed Parsons as Marius and Laurel Meyer as Cosette.
Finally Francesca Ratcliff as Eponine tears you apart with a gut wrenching performance of unrequited love and sheer bravery. I have seen Les Miserables in the West End and various concert style anniversary performances on Sky Arts, but I have never heard a more crystal clear and moving interpretation of On My Own as I did last night.
My one criticism is on a technical point but the lighting was very late, leaving the performers often singing their first few bars in the dark. If this was a directorial style thing it was very odd and jarred and if it isn’t then they just need to tighten up those lighting cues.
The next time someone says to you young people today are lazy or lack ambition just point them to the Co-Op Juniors, because these young people are extraordinary.
Les Miserables runs until Saturday 6th July at the New Wolsey Theatre – to find out more and book tickets go to the New Wolsey Website or call the box office on 01473 295900
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