Les Misérables

As epic as Victor Hugo’s original novel may be, this could easily be matched by the epic journey of getting Les Misérables on stage.

By Mrs Pankhurst, Deputy Head and Director

Already an ambitious project, the cast and crew were primed and ready for opening night in March 2020 when Covid laid waste to our plans. In theatre tradition we left a light shining in our empty theatre while we waited for Covid to play its way out of the plot.

Sadly this has not been a straightforward process, but the arduous twists and turns have been made palatable by the unbelievable passion and commitment of our students and the staff involved in supporting the production. Following the Prime Minister’s announcement in March of an end to restrictions, we took to rehearsal again, and I was unsure what or who from the cast and crew would remain. I need not have worried. In addition to Senior students in exam years willing to find time for both final assessments and rehearsal, back from university and places of work came Old Birkonians from near and far. Reprising their roles we had Ed Oulton playing Valjean, Alex Herod as Javert, Ben Goodwin playing Enjolras, Toby Meisner delighting as Thenardier, Esme Brennan entrancing as Eponine and Jack Hodgson keeping the gang together playing Foreman, Sailor and Soldier. In an equally delightful turn of events, Ed Brodbelt returned to keep us all on our toes on the tech desk — a consummate professional. How lucky we are to have such a wonderful group of young men and women wanting to share their talent with us.

However, Leaving Students of 2021 deserved their place on the stage and I have never worked with a more talented group of young actors and musicians. And so, Lead Cast 2021 saw Tom James playing Jean Valjean, David Turner Javert, Nick Johnson Enjolras, Ted Ford Marius, Grace Harvey Eponine and Sophie McGrath Cosette. Also leaving us this year was Emmy Barry, who has danced in a number of productions, and Simon Lawrence from our orchestra. The run of nine shows saw two entirely different sets of lead cast combinations named the ‘Year 13 Cast’ and ‘Year 14 Cast’ – a complex and exhausting challenge, but one that all the students fully embraced. Indeed the morale and friendship between the cast, including students as young as 11 and as old as 22, was truly remarkable.

From March through to the end of June the students rehearsed every weekend, and throughout the half-term. This kind of commitment is impossible without a dedicated team of staff ready to take on a significant extra workload at an already busy time. The show could not have gone onstage without our hugely talented Musical Director Philip Robinson. Also invaluable to the success of the production was the Assistant Director Louise Smeaton and all-round superstar Carol Keegan.

Despite the hard work, the tears and the uncertainties, we were left in no doubt that this was a sacrifice well made as the audience stood as one in a standing ovation at the culmination of each and every performance.

With the difficulties this year has brought us in getting Les Mis on stage, a poignant point has been made regarding the importance of theatre, music and drama in the lives of human beings. I will always remember 2020, and not, I have realised, because it was the ‘Covid Year’, but because it has brought home to us all the value of friendship, commitment, determination and the wonderful community of Birkenhead School, of which we are all a part.