Le Mis SONG show is ‘simply stunning’ from start to finish
Medical emergency halts game
most ambitious, expensive and technical musical that SONG has ever taken on and they have absolutely smashed it. How do you top this one?
The first thing I thought when I saw the title Les Misérables was - is this a play about Everton fans?
Seriously, I thought this was a huge production to stage.
What a massive challenge for the youngsters from SONG, with the show performed entirely by students, to pull off.
A huge ask for the backroom team too.
They did it. I imagine none of them will ever forget what they achieved here and the reaction they got from audiences.
It was an outstanding performance, supported by an incredibly strong cast.
Various performers had some huge songs to perform, some of the most famous in West End history - I Dreamed A Dream, Master Of The House, The People’s Song, One Day More, On My Own, so many more.
Each one was worth the admission price alone.
There were huge rounds of applause at the end of each one and a well deserved standing ovation at the end.
The sad thing is that so many people want to see this show and it sold out fast.
I imagine they could have staged it across four weeks and sold every seat.
It is based on the iconic work of French author Victor Hugo, one of the greatest books of the 19th century, transformed into a musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg and produced by Cameron Mackintosh.
The production is a rollercoaster of emotions.
Starting in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris, the story follows the lives and interactions of several characters, particularly the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his journey from being a thief and convict to redemption as he is pursued relentlessly by Javert.
The original French musical premiered in Paris in 1980, while its
English-language adaptation, produced by Cameron Mackintosh, has been based in London since October 1985, making it the longest-running musical in the West End.
I was blown away when I first saw the production when I was 13 years old. It was an experience.
To be able to take my 12-year-old daughter to see this show was something memorable.
Where do you start with the performances? Simply stunning across the board, both individually unforgettable and the complexities of the relationships between each other.
The pursuit and redemption between Jean Valjean (Harry Corcoran) and Javert (Orlando Campolucci-Bordi); the devotion between Jean Valjean and Fantine (Tess Wright) and her daughter Cosette (Lucy Scott and then Amaya Spencer); the love triangle between Marius (Evan Thorpe), Eponine (Bella Cumia then Kai-enna Mook) and Cosette.
Enjolras (Jack Smith), Gavroche (Isaac Shea) and all the others, some of whom played multiple roles, were excellent.
There were some powerful solos which saw these brilliant performers hold the stage and entrance the audience.
It was brilliant to watch the story unfold, from revenge to forgiveness, from despair to joy, from tragedy to more tragedy to some great comedy.
The Master Of The House scene, led by the brilliantly comedic Thenardier (Joseph Bigley) and Madam Thenardier (Georgina Hankin) came as very welcome light relief and many laughs to some serious drama.
All credit to SONG chairman Hilary Thomson; director Karen Edge; musical director Andrew Srandevent; and the huge team who have made this possible.
Outstanding. It was a privilege to be there.
SONG was formed in 1979 under the auspices of their senior society – Southport Amateur Operatic Society (now Southport Spotlights Musical Theatre Society) – to stimulate the interest of young people in musical productions.
Their first production was The Boyfriend in 1980.
Open to young people from the age of ten upwards to 18, SONG produces two high quality productions a year – both performed at The Atkinson.
A FOOTBALL match was suspended with nine minutes remaining after a coach suffered a medical emergency.
Players were forced off the pitch during Southport’s game against Rushall Olympic on Saturday as the physio and paramedics helped coach Andy Burgess following the incident.
The Sandgrounders were three goals up at The Big Help Stadium when play was stopped in the 81st minute.
Players returned to the pitch a few minutes later and the match resumed, with Southport going on to win the game 3-0 in their final home game of the season.
The club issued a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Andy Burgess’ health.
It said: “We are delighted to confirm that assistant manager Andy Burgess, who suffered a medical incident at the ground yesterday, is well and recovering at home.
“Thank you to physio Dan Gabrielson and the paramedic who assisted Andy at the ground yesterday.”
Southport FC thanked the 1,311 fans in attendance at the game.