In a landmark moment for amateur theatre, Les Misérables stormed the Liverpool Empire stage with a performance so polished and powerful, it rivalled the West End. ‘Let The People Sing!’ is a UK-wide amateur theatre project celebrating the 40th anniversary of the worldwide phenomenon, Les Misérables.
The show, a collaboration between the theatre’s creative learning team, BOST, Stockport’s Romiley Operatic Society and Wrexham-based Tip Top Productions, is part of Cameron Macintosh and Music Theatre International’s special Les Mis 40th anniversary celebrations Let the People Sing! initiative which has opened up the chance for amateur organisations to stage the musical for the first time.
With Cameron Mackintosh’s blessing for adult amateurs to perform the musical for the first time, local talent proved they could more than rise to the occasion. Ian Cheeseman reviews…
If you’ve ever considered watching a musical by an amateur society and assumed it wouldn’t be very good, then you should have been at Liverpool Empire on Thursday, like I was lucky enough to be.
It was the first time Cameron Mackinosh had allowed amateur adults to perform Les Miserables and what a performance they put on. It was indistinguishable from the professional versions I’ve seen.
All I can say is Wow! It was perfect from beginning to end. One of the most enjoyable trips to the theatre I’ve ever had.
For the first time those who perform alongside their day job had professional sets, lighting, sound and could act and sing in one of the biggest and best theatres in the UK.
Gareth Smith as Jean Val Jean was magnificent, as was Gary Jones as Javert. I’ve watched Gary at Stockport Plaza in Romiley Operatic’s Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and Evita, TADAA’s 9 to 5, Ashton Operatic’s West Side Story and MAODS’s Bridges of Madison County, to name just a few.
I’ve interviewed him a few times for my weekly radio show, Break-a-Leg, and he recently told me, “I trained to be a professional, back in 2007, and never really went and did it. I had quite a nasty accident which took me on a different road of recovery and life so I’m just trying to put everything I’ve learnt into others as a coach and mentor. I want to instil that passion into them.”
I’ve seen Gary working at the Drama Dept, in Stockport, and he has boundless energy and he lives and breathes theatre. He told me, “My dream had been to be in the West End but now I’ve grown up a bit I realise I wouldn’t be playing the variety of roles I do now. I’d never say never about that West End dream.
“We’re very lucky with Romiley Operatic Society to collaborate with two other societies, Birkenhead Operatic and Tiptop, to do this first UK Amateur Production of Les Miserables. I’ve watched many shows at Liverpool Empire which is a lovely venue.
The audition process started last October/November with my final recall at the end of January. I auditioned for Javert and Thenardier and got recalls for both. I love Javert, it’s a meaty role and I get to sing Stars.”
As a result of knowing Gary and seeing him in action so many times, I felt like I do when my son performs in Am/Dram. I felt proud, emotional and most of all so happy for him that his hard work and dedication had been rewarded. I cried like a baby when I saw him perform Stars and when Gareth Smith sang Bring Him Home.
There was a huge ensemble who were faultless and everyone of the other leads were top class. This cast would not look out of place on stage in the West End.
I’ll also give special mention to young Brodie Gene Robson, one of those who’ve come through Drama Dept in Stockport. I saw Brodie play Gavoche in the junior version of Les Miserable at Ashton Festival Hall last year. He was brilliant in both versions and surely has a big future ahead of him.
The show was sold out for all four performances, long before the curtain went up for the first of those four on Thursday night. That cast deserved every accolade they received, their standing ovation and the outpouring of love from the audience.
Next time you hear about an upcoming Am/Dram version of a show don’t make any assumptions about quality. Buy a ticket and enjoy! We’re so luck to have such talented and passionate thespians living and working among us and always ready to put on the grease paint and entertain us. Thankyou Am/Drammers!