"Les Miserables School Edition by Long Eaton operatic Society Youth Group.

Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton.

"Les Misérables - School Edition" tells the story of Jean Valjean, a former convict who spends a lifetime seeking redemption. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France and the aftermath of the French Revolution, this story of intertwined destinies reveals the power of compassion and the quiet evil of indifference to human suffering.

As Valjean’s quest for a new life carries him into Paris and to the barricades of the Student Revolution, he is hunted by Inspector Javert and the ghosts of his past. Amidst the battles, he discovers the true meaning of love and salvation.

Although this is the "School Edition", you'll find that there is very little difference between this and the full blown musical.

A while ago on TV, there was a show called "Popstar To opera Star". This is where they took pop stars and trained them to sing in an operatic style. What this did was to show how different the training is to get a voice decent enough to sing something operatic enough to pass as an opera star. I remember that the chosen guests, some who had received formal singing training, struggled to re-train their voices.

Now, I mention this because these young performers all sing quite differently to what you may have heard them sing in other musical theatre productions, showing their versatility and strength in their voices.

I'll try not to gush too much on each actor, because there are a lot of them in this show, and all deserving of praise for their performances.

Jean Valjean was played by a young man who I've had the pleasure to see on stage several times before, Findlay Parker, who reprises his performance from playing the same role a couple of years ago. His singing now, as it was then, is packed with emotion and drama and he demonstrated a lovely controlled vibrato as well as a wonderful falsetto. He felt every word that he performed - not sung, performed, because that was what it was, a performance. Findlay's diction is also excellent.

Javert is played by Stevie Kirkham, who has a lovely deep tone to his vocals, and I love his tunnel vision performance of getting his man, Valjean, right up to his dramatic final scene.

Fantine is played by Ella Charlesworth, who, as with Findlay, reprised her role of this part from a couple of years ago. I've seen Ella perform on stage for quite a few years now, and every time she gets a role like this, you get to hear another quality to her voice, and another layer of emotion, especially in Fantine's final scene.

Eponine, the daughter of the Thenardiers, is played by Bella Syson. Bella sent shivers up my spine with her rendition of "On My Own".

Young Eponine is played by Lucy Gordon.

Cosette, the daughter of Fantine, is played by Kate Whitaker. Valjean takes her and Fantine in and becomes her guardian, eventually falling in love with Marius. there are some gorgeous musical pieces from Kate, and what a voice she has; a voice that blends so well with Marius.

Young Cosette is played by Alice Whitaker.

Marius is played by Miles Potter, who last time played Thenardier when I saw this musical. Miles voice is insanely good. It has strength and control and is a real power actor.

Thenardier, and feel free to look over past reviews of "Les Mis" by me, I've cited as being one of my favourite characters in this musical, is played by Preston Nash. This part plays to all of Preston's strengths with it being the comedy role in this musical. The accent and the comedy were both spot on, as was the vocals. I've seen Preston many, many times on stage, and this role is very different to any of his others.... but I may also say that about his upcoming role next month!!

Madame Thenardier is played by Roisin Parker, one of the trio of incredibly talented Parkers in this production. Roisin and Preston are perfectly matched with their characters and the comedy is natural, especially in their song "Master Of The House".

Gavroche is one of those feisty characters in musical theatre who you just love. Back in the day, he'd be described as "spunky", and the choice to cast Harrison Ramplin in this role is a perfect choice. In Act Two, when he breaks free from the barricades, you know what is going to happen but it still takes your breath when it does. I've not seen Harrison before, and this is his first role with LEOS Youth Group, so I was told in the interval, but what a way to debut. His confidence with this confident character is fantastic, and I really hope that he continues down this route because he is a star in the making.

Enjolras, the Chief of Les Amis de l'ABC at the barricades, is played by another of my favourite young actors, Abe Collishaw. There was just one time when I thought Abe may be getting a dry throat, but he pulled it back and gave another one of his solid and powerful performances; something that I am used to with Abe. This will be the final show for Abe with the LEOS Youth Group, but I know that he will be a valuable addition to Long Eaton Operatic Society, and any drama society that he would like to take part in.

Combferre, another barricade battler of Les Amis de L'ABC and second in command is played by Nathan Crookdake.

Feuilly, pronounced Few Eee, is played by Tristan Bromley.

Courfeyrac is a fighting comrade at the front of the barricades battle and played by Quillen Parker, who last played Gavroche in "Les Miserables" a couple of years ago. There is just something that makes you watch Quillen on stage, I'd call it stage presence and now that he is maturing as an actor, that is becoming even more evident.

Joly is played by  Taylen Brodsky, another barricade gunman who sadly loses their life. 

A wonderful ensemble team consisting of Ivan Hager (Grantaire), Finlay Tomlinson (Lesgles), Tom Lightbown (Prouvaire), Owain Jones (Montparnasse), Phoebe Mellor (Babet), Gabe Scott (Brujon), Finn Cliff (Claquesous), Neve Johnson, Grace Agius, Fran Squires, Niamh Lee and Maddi Woodland, Holly Brooks, Niamh Syson, Lucy Coulson-Jones, Emily Dexter, Jess Chatten and Nefeli Fryganioti (Factory Workers).

The vocals from this ensemble swelled to fill the whole of the theatre and the harmonies were heavenly.

Directed by Siobhan Parker. I don't really need to say anything at all about the Director because that standing ovation, and standing ovations every night, prove that Siobhan has succeeded with this show and her cast of stars. Eleanor Carty also needs praise as Assistant Director and for the Creative Moment on stage.

Lighting is by Stephen Greatorex, and there are some lovely lighting designs for this show which really heighten the emotion for the performers in songs like "On My Own" and "I Dreamed A Dream", and especially with the reprise of "Bring Him Home" when Valjean receives his visit from Fantine in a ghostly white glow.

Sound is by the dynamic duo of Dave Dallard and Jack Clark. I don't need to say anymore, the clue is in the word "dynamic".

Musical Director is  Giles Pettit, assisted by Becky Kirkham. This musical is by no stretch of the imagination an easy option. So many key changes - Westlife wouldn't have known if they were standing or sitting on stools. It is sung all the way through so Giles and Becky would not have had a break until the interval. They have brought out the different vocal style with this colossal cast, making them all sound superb, and giving them vocal skills that will serve them well in the future. Let's also not forget that this is the Youth Group and their voices are still developing, so if they sound this good now, wait for a few years and WOW!

This widely known lush and swelling score features such beloved musical theatre songs as “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own”, “Bring Him Home", "Master Of the House", "Stars", "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables", "At the End Of The Day", "Red And Black", "Do You Hear The People Sing", "One Day More". The musical numbers listed in the programme did confuse me a little though because several of the above were listed under different titles, so you won't be able to spot when "Bring Him Home" is sung in the second act because it's not listed as that. Not sure why that is because even on the original double CD the songs are listed as the song titles that we know and love.

This is such a big show that I was surprised that there's only one Stage Manager, but I suppose when that one Stage Manager is Katie Bird, that is all you need to keep everything running as smooth as it is.

A team who are often unsung, and unseen heroes are the Backstage Team, so I feel that they need to be sung and seen - well in this here review anyway. Fiona McDowell, Sinead Parkin, Mo Syson, Adam Taylor and Elaine Tomlinson. The audience see the results of this team's blood, sweat and tears, so why not give them a mention, recognising their hard work.

Loads of props in this musical as well, and these are equally well managed by Becky Kirkham, who is also listed as the Stage Crew.

Set Designers and construction of the set are by Roydon Charlesworth and Katie Bird. A multi level set provides additional entrance and exit points, which when the cast is as big as this also helps in smooth scene changes.

The costumes are thanks to Carol McTernan, Suzy Thornton, Judy Watson and Janet Whyatt. Looking at these costumes you'd think that they would have been hired in because they all look so professional.

The make up is also worthy of a mention, especially Preston's and Roisin's in the second act and Ella's in the first act. Whoever that mystery person is, it was noted.

As should be the hairdresser as well, Carol McTernan, who aged Findlay's hair from a dark haired hero to a silver fox within a couple of hours.

I really was blown away by the immense talent on the Duchess Theatre stage tonight. These young actors have incredible talent, and they are really lovely people off stage as well, some I am sure don't

realise the talent they have, so I have to keep reminding them. One day I'll be able to sit in my bath chair and watch them receive their Baftas, Tonys, Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes and say that I knew them as their talents started to flourish. I was there. And then I'll start to dribble and nurse will wheel me back to my box........

"Les Miserables" is being performed at The Duchess Theatre until Saturday 22 February, but tickets have been sold out for a while so it may be worth checking for returns, but who'd want to return tickets for a show of this calibre? Come on!!

Photos by Martin Holtom.