Les Mis, the School Play, receives rave reviews … and makes composer Schönberg ‘happy’
The School production of Les Misérables has completed its sell-out run of performances in the EM Forster Theatre.
All 2,000 tickets were sold for Schönberg and Boublil’s classic musical, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, which ran for five nights between Tuesday 22 and Saturday 26 November, delighting audiences and receiving standing ovations.
The cast of Les Misérables featured students from three girls’ schools – Weald of Kent Grammar, Hillview School for Girls and Tonbridge Grammar – alongside those from Tonbridge. The creative team also featured a number of Tonbridge boys in roles such as Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager and Lighting and Sound Operators.
Gavin Bruce, Director of Theatre, said: “It was wonderful to receive so much feedback from our audiences, ranging from people who had never seen the show to die-hard Les Mis fans who had seen it on film and stage many times. However, even they had never seen a version quite like this.”
The production was staged ‘in the round’, with the audience on either side of the stage, immersed in the ABC Café where the students plan the Paris Uprising of 1832. The idea was inspired by the most recent production of Cabaret in the West End, and required the cast being on stage throughout the demanding two-hour show.
Mr Bruce added: “Once Mark Forkgen, the Musical Director, and I had agreed to strip the music back to single instruments and focus on the actor’s vocal delivery, we just had to convince the cast.
“It was a challenge to rehearse, with Mr Forkgen arranging the music organically as we started to explain the setting and style to the cast in small rehearsal rooms. The company finally bought into the concept once the set went in over October Half Term, and the EM Forster Theatre was transformed into a theatre in the round.
“Taking the cast to the West End to see the London production also helped them realise the difference in our staging, where the audience were surrounded by the barricade rather than having it built in front of them. From each night’s reaction, it was clear that audiences loved our approach.”
Mr Bruce revealed he had even received an email from Claude-Michel Schönberg, the show’s composer, who wrote: “When I learn about a school performing Les Mis. I am always happy. I imagine that maybe one day I will meet one of the cast in the wings of a theatre, starting to work with us. It is difficult and requires a lot of will and determination, but it is a beautiful job!”
There were dozens of enthusiastic comments left by theatre-goers on the School’s social media platforms. The following are just a few of these:
A mesmerising performance, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Phenomenal performance – so ambitious and brilliantly done. Many congrats to all involved!
You should all be immensely proud! I loved every minute of it!
Watched it on Tuesday, absolutely amazing, well done to everyone involved. Your schools and parents must be very proud of you.
Excellent show which I thoroughly enjoyed. Such talent.
