Les Misérables
With a cast of almost 50 pupils on stage, professional and student musicians in the orchestra and numerous crew backstage, the St Benedict's production of Les Misérables was a tour de force - an astounding show which will live on in the memories of everyone lucky enough to see it.
If you’ve never watched a St Benedict’s musical before, you really must. The standard of the acting and singing never fails to impress and the latest production, Les Misérables, reached new heights. Performed over 3 nights in February, this was an astounding show, which will live on in the memories of everyone lucky enough to see it.
Everyone knows that this tale of the French revolution is a tour de force; the music is extremely demanding, emotionally and technically. The St Benedict’s cast captivated the audience with the brilliance of their singing and acting from start to finish, from the chain gang of the opening scene to the triumphant finale.
Solo after solo demonstrated that singing at St Benedict’s is of a seriously high standard....
After the first half, the audience emerged for the interval in a state of stunned admiration, when the show was variously summed up as “phenomenal”, “astonishing”, “so professional”, “better than the West End”, “best ever”, and “I’ve run out of superlatives.” Solo after solo demonstrated that singing at St Benedict’s is of a seriously high standard: notably Jean Valjean’s Bring him home (Harry Lubkowski); Javert’s Stars (Jack Leonard), Fantine’s I dreamed a dream (Cora Doherty), Eponine’s On my own (Alice Gedye), and Marius’ Empty chairs at empty tables (Finley Carty-Howe). Another highlight was the ensemble A heart full of love, exquisitely sung by Finley Carty-Howe, Zoe Rutherford and Alice Gedye. Katie Gibson was superb as Enjolras, making a suitably symbolic Marianne figure, leading the revolution with Red and Black.
This was an astounding show, which will live on in the memories of everyone lucky enough to see it.
The chorus singing was impressive too, with wonderful, whole-hearted performances of One more day, Do you hear the people sing, and Master of the house - the bawdy comedy of the Thénardiers brilliantly played by Louis Clow and Greta Azzopardi.
“Phenomenal”...“astonishing”...“so professional”...“better than the West End”...“best ever”...“I’ve run out of superlatives”.....(Comments from the audience.)
All in all, Les Misérables was a triumph, and a credit to the talents of everyone involved. People will be talking about this one for a very long time, and we can only wonder where next year’s drama production will take us….
Special thanks go to the Musical Director, Mr Christopher Eastwood, and the Producer and Director, Miss Katie Ravenscroft.
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