THERE WAS a stunning performance of Les Miserables at Droitwich Spa High School by the Jigsaw Players.
You had to keep reminding yourself this was a youth production as the stars on the stage would have put many adult actors in the same roles in the shade.
Everyone played their part in this strong cast and there were some outstanding portrayals on the evening.
Luke McLinden was a solid Marius and, likewise, Emily Gilday as Cosette.
Phoebe Fletcher and John Broad were firm audience favourites as Thenardier and Madame Thenardier, having the audience in hysterics and producing a clap-a-long Master of the House which nearly brought the house down.
Among the best vocal performances on the night were Ellie Bates as Fantine, particularly in Fantine’s Death, and Eleanor Hudson who was pitch-perfect as Eponine with some superb solo performances – especially On My Own and her lines in A Little Fall of Rain.
But the performance of the evening went to Jack Giblen who was excellent throughout and as good a Jean Valjean as you would ever see.
All three made singing look effortless and would not be out of place on musical theatres in Birmingham or London.
Fittingly, the trio sang together in the Epilogue which led to the well-earned and well-deserved standing ovation.
As well as the acting and singing, the pick of the choreography took place during Master of the House and The Wedding and the orchestra was outstanding all the way through as well.
As the audience filed towards the exit, there were plenty of watery eyes among the smiles and it was not surprising.
A truly amazing evening of entertainment where this youth group and director Maggie Bishton took on one of the World’s biggest musicals and made it their own.
