After a three year wait, Brighton pupils finally got to stage their all-girl cast performance of Les Miserables.
Initially meant to be performed in 2020, girls from Years 7 to 13 put on a spectacular extravaganza in the school’s newly renovated theatre and rose to the challenge of staging an all-female version of this epic West End musical.
The story centres on the character Jean Valjean, an ex-convict of 19th-century France and spans many years as it tells of his release from prison and reformation as an industrialist. The action plays out against a background of poverty and degradation and the subsequent uprisings that echoed the French Revolution the century previously.
Alissandra Henderson took on the vocally demanding role of Valjean and her singing, particularly her renditions of the beautiful Bring Him Home, was outstanding as was Alma Samocha’s, whose stunning solos as Fantine belied her young age.
When it came to best comedy performers, Nettie Glandfield and Maria Veness as Monsieur and Madame Thenardier absolutely ripped through the classic Master of the House and delivered their lines as the likable baddies with great aplomb. Meanwhile headgirl Jemima Venturi’s turn as the authoritarian Javert was capably handled and this year 12 pupil wouldn’t look out of place in the West End – little wonder she is the recipient of the sixth form performing arts scholarship.
Special praise should also go to the outstanding orchestra of pupils who faultlessly played the full gamut of Les Mis classics on stage throughout.
Director Susan Woodbridge praised the entire cast and crew for staging such an epic musical, adding: “Many years ago, I worked in Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s and I had an incredible year working for the producer of Les Mis. I learnt there that great shows are made possible through great teamwork amongst the creative team and the cast. Fast forward to Roedean 2023 and I have been so lucky to find this great teamwork again in an incredible performing arts department with amazing students. Everyone involved has risen to the challenge of staging an all-female version of this epic musical.”
Categories: Roedean School School News
