Les Misérables Reviews . . . what the papers said!
Youngsters’ inspired performance
The Courier and Advertiser
AT THE end of the day, there’s another day dawning! These powerful words vibrated to every corner of the Gardyne Theatre auditorium in Dundee with a chilling inspiration that left the audience pleading with applause for more, writes a music critic.
Last night was the beginning of Tread the Boards Youth Music Theatre’s production of the school edition of Les Miserables.
It is the tale of the suffering lower class in France during an insurrection, a tenacious struggle to overthrow an oppressive monarchy and bridge the gap between hopeless peasants and an affluent nobility.
The plot follows Jean Valjean (Scott McRuvie) in his journey from escaped criminal to respected citizen.
Scott gives an emotional performance and has an abundance of intensity in his vocals. Matching that intensity was Greg Davidson as Valjean’s relentless pursuer Inspector Javert.
Fantine (Lisa Lynch), a poverty-stricken single mother, is thrust on to the streets and forced to support her daughter Cosette through prostitution. Lisa exhibited a rich voice as she sorrowfully sang “I Dreamed A Dream”.
Another stand-out was the love-sick Marius, played by Marc McBride. His stage appearance made him perfect for the part and his voice blended well with Cosette (Amy Brown) and Eponine (Jenna Davidson).
As the bumbling, amoral innkeepers the Thenardiers, Ross Cameron and Tricia Stewart provide some comic relief.
Finally, keeping Tread the Boards’ future bright was Jamie Thomas, an adorable Gavroche, and Rachel Weir gave a powerful rendition of “Castle On A Cloud” as a delightful Little Cosette.
The house rang with gorgeous music (also accredited to the superb orchestra) in the ensemble numbers “Do You Hear the People Sing?” and “At the End of the Day”.
Les Miserables is a demanding production and the cast did an excellent job keeping up their energy, with everyone from the leads to the ensemble committing to their characters.
The troupe's technical crew was also responsible for the show's profound effect, successfully executing that revolving stage, a superb set and excellent sound and lighting designs.
The sell-out production runs until Saturday evening.
Dazzling display of young talents
The Evening Telegraph
Forget London’s West End, Dundee’s East End is the place this week for entertainment par excellence. Tread the Boards’ production of Les Miserables really is a tour de force, writes Colin Petrie.
In a dazzling display of talents, this troupe of young people gave their all, physically and emotionally, with performances that wouldn’t be out of place in professional theatreland.
The cast didn’t just storm the barricades, they brought the house down, with a standing ovation from the enthralled first-night audience.
Les Mis tells the tale of thief turned mayor turned child guardian Jean Valjean and his pursuer Inspector Javert, set partly against the background of the 1832 Paris uprising. Valjean has promised to raise a girl, Cosette, as his own following the death of her mother Fantine.
Time passes and Cosette falls in love with Marius, one of the principled students manning the barricades in the uprising. He, in turn, has his life saved by Valjean. The by now elderly Valjean tells Cosette of her past before dying and joining Fantine and the people who gave their lives in the revolution.
Scott McRuvie was strong as Jean Valjean and gave an amazing rendition of “Bring Him Home”. Marc McBride (Marius), Greg Davidson (Javert), Amy Brown (Cosette) and Lisa Lynch (Fantine) were assured and polished in their acting and singing. Ross Cameron, as innkeeper rogue Thenardier, and Tricia Stewart (Madame Thenardier) brought their own wonderfully comic interpretations to the roles.
Stephen Mitchell, as student leader Enjolras, and Jeann Davidson, who plays the Thenardiers’ daughter Eponine, drew that little bit extra from their characters. The stirring call to arms of Enjolras — “Red and Balck” — could have won a war, never mind start a revolution.
Director Brian Boardman has kept things tight and unfussy while Andrew Grier led the small orchestra in first class and sympathetic accompaniment.
Les Miserables, which is a sell-out, runs until Saturday.
This was a evening of sheer brilliance and professionalism! The young cast's performance took the breath away with their total understanding of the dramatic musical storyline they were unfolding. Scott McRuvie's powerful performance as Valjean was utterly convincing and, with his beautifully controlled vocals, heard to great effect in “Bring Him Home”, made him the ideal choice for the role.
Greg Davidson was impressively unyielding as the vengeful Javert, superbly confident in acting and singing, as was the excellent performance of Stephen Mitchell (Enjolras).
Marc McBride (Marius) and Amy Brown (Cosette) were perfectly matched and looked well as the young lovers and Lisa Lynch gave us a poignant portrayal as the luckless Fantine.
Jenna Davidson's Eponine tugged the audience's heartstrings and let's not forget the rascally, amusing antics of the two outstanding Thenardiers (Ross Cameron and Tricia Stewart).
A wonderful stage revolve ensured the action never flagged and the dramatic lighting enhanced the atmosphere. A demanding show superbly performed!
