Les Miserables
CATS Youth Theatre
St Catherine’s Academy, Stitch-mi-Lane, Harwood

CATS Youth Theatre continues to go from strength to strength and this outstanding production did not disappoint the audience and the standing ovation at the end acknowledged the quality on stage.

Sam Cain gave a powerful performance as Jean Valjean — Bring Him Home was first class — who rises to become the wealthy mayor of a town but is relentlessly pursued by the single-minded police inspector Javert, impressively played by CATS newcomer Ben Whipp.

Ben Whitehead’s main role as Marius was outstanding; his rendition of Empty Chairs was a joy to watch. Kieran Slater as Enjoiras also sang beautifully.

Of particular note were the performances by the female members of the cast. Rebecca Bolton as Fantine sung a fantastic I Dreamed a Dream, Gina Leckey delivered a tragic and strong Eponine, particularly in her rendition of I Love Him and Katy Ball was excellent, as usual, as melodic Cosette.

Full honours must go to Amelia Atherton and Liam Christie as the evil but very funny Innkeepers, Thernadier and Madame Thernadier.

These two were never out of character and were an absolute joy to watch. Special mention must go to eight-year-old Alex Clift as Gavroche. What a little star in the making. He broke the hearts of all the audience.

What also made this production so engaging was the work of the chorus and minor characters, their energy and enthusiasm was brilliant.

Louise Cohen as director and choreographer must be very proud and it was clearly obvious that so much work had been put in to the big cast scenes which really paid off.

Jason Crompton