An ovation far from miserable

First appeared: Evening Star, Ipswich, November 14, 2006

Les Miserables, school edition, Angel Theatre Rendlesham

MEMBERS of the Angel Youth Theatre Company thoroughly deserved their standing ovation after a triumphant production of Les Miserables at Rendlesham.

One of the great musicals, Les Miserables is also a great challenge for any company. The all-student cast at the Angel Theatre rose to that challenge magnificently.

At the heart of the show, Farlingaye High School sixth-former Joe Leat as Jean Valjean held it all together with a performance that promises a bright future. His acting was strong, and his singing voice shone.

In fact, there were excellent performances everywhere you looked in a large and eager cast.

Lee Cooper, as Valjean's nemesis Javert, had fine presence. Chloe Barnes was a delightful Cosette; Antonia Cobbin an engagingly tragic Eponine; Sam Brown an upright and youthful Marius.

Among several lovely voices, Andi Naude as Fantine was exceptional.

Sam Fosker and Chloe Bamford, as the innkeeping Thenardiers, were splendidly seedy and wonderfully comic – a highly enjoyable double-act.

Kesgrave sixth-former Shaun Corcoran led the poor of Paris to the barricades with purpose and panache.

And Sir Robert Hitcham pupil Jake Waddell, at just nine, was riveting as the street urchin Gavroche.

The chorus and supporting cast were all admirably focused, well drilled by director Michael Crane. The staging too was slick and impressive.

To see such a moving show so well done by such a young cast was a real treat. Bravo.