Previous Productions - Les Miserables

Producer David Cain had the easy job of assembling a team to do all the hard work and he chose them well, having done that all he had to do was sit back and enjoy the show!!

This is a very popular show and this was obvious with the sell-out audience, I was a little concerned that the songs might be a little difficult for young voices, but I did not have to worry the cast coped well with the musical score and at times you forgot that this was only a youth group. Congratulations to Director Alex Turasiewicz, Musical Director Phil Dixon and Choreographer Marilyn Norton-Smith for all their hard work and for bringing out the very best in all the cast.

SETTING
This was a well designed and thought out set, with the use of many levels, giving the necessary space for the many people on the stage and the cast used it well, this set worked very well and congratulations must go to the set designer and the backstage staff who quietly and unobtrusively made the necessary changes.

SOUND
This was well handled and at all times it sounded natural, and we could at all times hear the singers above the orchestra well done to Becky Eden and Dan Gregory.

LIGHTING
For most of the time people were well lit, there were one or two occasions however when the lighting was too dim to see the people on stage and when Javert sang his song prior to his death, for the most part he was singing in the dark, and if he wasn’t going to jump a quick blackout would have been better than seeing him walk off the side. I don’t know who was responsible for the effects, but the person in charge of the smoke machine was at times a little over zealous, especially when “little Gavroche” was on the barricades’ singing and then dying he could not be seen for the smoke!!

MUSIC
The Orchestra under Phil Dixon’s direction played at the right levels so that it never overpowered the singers. Chorus and solo singers had obviously been well rehearsed, and at no time did the pace drop.

COSTUMES
The costumes were well thought out and in period, and looked right on all the characters, the only criticism being that the French rabble looked too clean and tidy. Anne Holgate and her team obviously had their work cut out to costume the large cast, but had obviously done their homework. Well done

PROPS
Well done to Craig Weaver and Sara Upton for the effective looking props, the cast handled them well, however there was a point during the fighting that the cast had to mime fetching and using the guns, and also with the bandages the girls were rolling nothing up, The guns I can understand because you would have needed many more, but pieces of cloth are not difficult to obtain.

MAKE-UP
For the most part this was excellent, however I do have one criticism, the French Rabble were too clean, no dirt on their faces, and their hair was immaculately dressed. Except for one little girl who looked the perfect rag-a-muffin, dirt on her face and her hair was uncombed.

CHOREOGRAPHY
Congratulations to Marilyn who had obviously worked hard with the cast, and the cast rewarded her with the enthusiasm and energy they put in, the choreography was effectively worked out and was excellent being little but very effective. It must have taken a lot of hard work with so many people to move around on the stage and not make it look cluttered.

THE CAST

VALJEAN (Alex Weaver)
This was a powerful performance, played with emotion, Alex created a believable Valjean, and he interacted well with Javert, and the other members of the cast. Alex has an excellent singing voice, despite not being 100% well, he handled his songs well, once he did find problems singing in the higher register, but his interpretation of “Bring him home” was superb and there were many people with tears in their eyes at the end of the song, he deserved the standing ovation that he received. This was a well crafted outstanding piece of theatre. Congratulations

JAVERT (Dan Crispen)
A quiet start but once he gained in confidence his character started to develop and we began to see the real Javert. Dan has a clear voice and reacted well with Valjean there was just the right amount of hostility between the two. This was a relaxed and natural performance. Well done

FANTINE (Georgia Ross)
Strong voice, good movement on stage it was a pity that in your first song there was awkward positioning as you started the song with your back to audience, and then moved across the stage, still with your back to the audience until you reached centre stage and then you turned round. Your scenes with Valjean were handled with the right amount of emotion, making the character believable. Well done

MARIUS (Adam Gardiner)
Adam seemed a little uncomfortable at times, and there were some awkward moves, he has a pleasant voice but limited range and in some of his songs he was forcing the higher notes. A well defined performance and you showed real emotion at Eponine’s death. Well done

EPONINE (Becca Foley)
This was a perfect performance, such a mature voice and we felt for her as she ran the gamut of emotions. Becca lived the part this was Eponine on stage not Becca. An outstanding actress, and a natural use of the stage, at all times she seemed relaxed, and worked well with the other members of the cast. Congratulations

THENARDIER (Taylor Ayling)
Another excellent performance, this was a well portrayed lecherous and crafty landlord someone who was not to be trusted, Taylor has good comedy timing, and brought out all the comedy in this role. Taylor has a strong voice whether singing or acting and every word could be heard, he also used all the stage well at all times, moving naturally around and working well with Madam Thenardier. Congratulations on a well thought out performance.

MADAM THENARDIER (Freya Holvey)
Good comedy timing, a good voice and the perfect foil to her husband, there was more than the touch of a harridan in your portrayal and it was obvious you were enjoying playing this role, I loved the little comedy touch’s, taking things and putting them down the front of your dress, at all times you were in character and had obviously studied the character. Well done

COSETTE (Georgina Collingwood)
Although Georgina has a pleasant voice in the lower registers, when you had to go higher it seemed a little forced, therefore the emotion of the songs were lost .There was good reaction with Marius and Valjean. Well done

ENJOIRAS (Casey Lloyd)
A little rushed and quiet in singing, you need to be more confident and believe that you can do it, but you also need to relax. Your character needed to be stronger but it did improve as the show progressed and you had good reaction with the rest of the cast. Well done

YOUNG COSETTE (Danielle Cox)
What a beautiful pitch perfect voice Danielle has, her song was so emotional and her voice as clear as a bell, with perfect enunciation every word could be heard, and at all times she seemed relaxed on stage. Congratulations

GAVROCHE (Harry Burrows)
There was such confidence in Harry’s performance A good strong singing and speaking voice, this was a natural performance, it was a pity that when singing his song on the barricade that he was obscured with the smoke Every movement on stage was relaxed as were his movements. Congratulations

YOUNG EPONINE (Jasmine Knapman)
Good use of the stage, good reactions with Young Cosette, you played the “perfect little brat” spoiled by your “loving” parents. Well done

MALE ENSEMBLE
Good strong voices and you all worked well together as a team, there was good support and interaction with the others in the cast, Everyone staying in role at all times and there was good movement and use of stage. Well done

FEMALE ENSEMBLE
From French Rabble to French Tarts you all stayed in whatever your roles demanded. There are some strong singers within the group. As I said earlier the only criticism was that you all looked too clean and tidy to be a rabble. There was better attention to the “ladies of the night” as with these you did look right, and you were obviously enjoying these roles. Well done

As always with BAOS the chorus work is very strong and whether singing, dancing or acting in minor roles you always work hard and work as a team. There was excellent ensemble work, giving support to the main characters, and most of all you were obviously enjoying yourselves, Congratulations

When singing the songs in this musical they must convey emotion not just be sung and it is a credit to such a young cast to achieve this result.

This was an excellent show and most of the credit must go to the talented cast, always so full of energy and enthusiasm, everyone must have worked hard and Director Alex Turasiewicz, Musical Director Phil Dixon and Choreographer Marilyn Norton-Smith must be very proud of your achievements all their hard work paying off.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Thank you for inviting me and for the very warm welcome and hospitality as always Front of House. I look forward to be invited to your next production

Tony Winstone
NODA Representative – District 13