Les Miserables 2021 Programme

Birkenhead School presents

Directed by: Kirsten Pankhurst Musical Director: Philip Robinson Assistant Director: Louise Smeaton Technical Director: Ed Brodbelt

Welcome to

Les Miserables! ´ SCHOOL EDITION Performed entirely by students Produced with kind permission of: MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL and CAMERON MACKINTOSH A musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg Based on the novel by Victor Hugo Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg Lyrics by Herbert Kreztmer Original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel Additional material by James Fenton Adapted by Trevor Nunn and John Caird Original orchestrations by John Cameron New Orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke, Stephen Metcalfe and Stephen Brooker Originally Produced by Cameron Mackintosh

Refreshments and photographs of the cast are available to purchase in the foyer.

An Introduction As epic as Victor Hugo’s original novel may be, this could easily be matched by the epic journey of getting Les Misérables on stage. Already an ambitious project, the cast and crew were primed and ready for opening night when Covid laid waste to our plans. In theatre tradition we left a light shining in our empty theatre while we waited for Covid to play its way out of our story. Sadly this has not been a straightforward process, but the arduous twists and turns have been made palatable by the unbelievable passion and commitment of our students. Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of an end to restrictions, we took to rehearsal again, and I was unsure what or who would remain. I need not have worried. In addition to Senior students in exam years willing to find time for both final assessments and rehearsal, back from university and places of work came Old Birkonians from near and far. Reprising their roles we have Ed Oulton playing Valjean, Alex Herod is Javert, Ben Goodwin plays Enjolras, Toby Meisner delights as Thenardier, Esme Brennan entrances as Eponine and Jack Hodgson keeps the gang together playing Foreman, Sailor and Soldier. In an equally delightful turn of events, Ed Brodbelt has returned to keep us all on our toes on the tech desk—a consummate professional. How lucky we are to have such a wonderful group of young men and women wanting to share their talent with us.

However, we are now in 2021, and the Leaving Students of 2021 deserve their place on the stage - a more talented year group I have yet to work with. And so Lead Cast 2021 sees Tom James playing Valjean, David Turner Javert, Nick Johnson Enjolras, Ted Ford Marius, Grace Harvey Eponine and Sophie McGrath Cosette. As I write, 5 days before opening, we are still unsure what tragedy or drama may still unfold. What I am sure of, is that a wonderful group of students, teachers and support staff have shown just what team work can do. Another poignant point has been made with the importance of theatre, music and drama in the lives of human beings. I will always remember 2020, and not, I have realised, because it was the Covid year, but because it has brought home to us all the value of friendship, commitment, determination and the wonderful community of Birkenhead School, of which we are all a part. I do hope that you enjoy the performance, whether in our reduced audience, on LivesStream or on video.

Kirsten Pankhurst - Director

Act I

Act II

Prologue (1815) At the End of the Day (1823)

Building the Barricade

I Dreamed a Dream

Javert at the Barricade

The Docks

The First Attack

The Cart Crash

The Night

Fantine’s Death

The Second Attack

Little Cosette

The Final Battle

The Innkeeper’s Song

The Sewers

The Bargain

Javert’s Suicide

The Beggars (Paris, 1832)

Café Song

The Robbery

Marius and Cosette

Stars

The Wedding

The ABC Café The People’s Song Rue Plumet A Heart Full of Love The Attack on Rue Plumet

One Day More

Epilogue

Plot Summary After nineteen years as a prisoner on the chain gang, Jean Valjean is released on parole with his yellow ticket-of-leave, which he must always carry with him, always branding him as a thief. He is released by Inspector Javert, who pursues him for the duration of the story, believing that ‘once a thief, always a thief’. Only the Bishop of Digne invites him in and treats him with compassion. In desperation, Valjean steals some silver. When the police catch him, he says it was a gift from the bishop, who goes along with the story.

The bishop then, in addition, gives him a silver candlestick.

Valjean realizes he has given him a chance to regain his soul and he decides to start a new life for the better. To do so he must change his identity and break parole, and he tears up his yellow ticket.

Eight years pass and Valjean, now known as Monsieur Madeleine, is a factory owner and the mayor of a small town. One of his factory workers, Fantine, has a secret illegitimate child who lives with innkeepers in another town.

The other women at the factory discover this and demand her discharge, insisting she will be nothing but trouble. The foreman, whose advances she has rejected, fires her.

Now without an income, Fantine is desperate for money to pay for medicines for her supposedly sick daughter. She sells her hair, and eventually becomes a prostitute. Her new trade disgusts her, and, when she refuses a prospective customer, he claims she attacked him.

Inspector

Javert prepares to send her to prison. The mayor (Valjean) steps in and insists she be taken to a hospital instead, for she is ill. He recognises her from his factory and promises to help her.

Suddenly, an elderly man is pinned under a runaway cart.

Valjean saves him by lifting the cart, a feat that requires extraordinary strength. Javert remembers the unusual strength of Prisoner 24601 (Valjean), a parole-breaker who he has been hunting for years. However, a man has just been arrested who is to be tried as 24601. Valjean refuses to let an innocent man go to prison for him, and confesses to the court that he is Prisoner 24601.

At the hospital, as Fantine is dying, Valjean promises to take care of her daughter, Cosette. For five years, Cosette has lived with a horrible couple, the Thénardiers, who run an inn in Montfermeil and treat her miserably. Their daughter Eponine, who they spoil, is the same age. Valjean arrives to find a frightened Cosette in the dark forest carrying water from the well. He pays the Thénardiers to let him take Cosette away.

Nine years later, there is general unrest in Paris. Gavroche, a street urchin, mingles with beggars and prostitutes. Thénardier has moved there, and he and his gang, including Eponine, prey upon others to survive.

Valjean and Cosette appear, and Eponine, now a young woman, remembers Cosette from their childhood. Eponine is in love with

Marius, a student, who is in love with Cosette.

Marius begs Eponine to help him find Cosette, and, heartbroken, she agrees.

Eponine grudgingly brings Marius to Cosette’s home, and then stops an attempted robbery by her father’s gang at Valjean’s house. Valjean, who has not told Cosette of his past, prepares to move them away, afraid that Javert has finally discovered him. Meanwhile, the students are planning an uprising.

The students, including Marius, build a barricade in the street, and are told to surrender by an army officer. Javert pretends to ally with the students, Gavroche identifies him as a spy and he is tied up, to be dealt with later.

Eponine returns, but has been shot crossing the barricade.

She dies in Marius’s arms as the first victim of the students’ insurrection. Valjean arrives in search of Marius. He kills a sniper and proves to the students he supports their cause. In return, he asks to be given charge of Javert. Instead of killing him, he shows him mercy and lets him go.

The students hold their ground in the first assault.

As they settle in for the night, they reflect on their friendships and toast to days gone by. Valjean realizes the depth of Marius’s love for Cosette and

prays for his safety in the battle that is to come.

Dawn breaks, and, with ammunition running low, Gavroche goes to collect more - but is instantly shot and killed. Once again, the rebels are told to surrender. They refuse, and a fierce attack begins. Only Valjean and Marius survive, though Marius is badly wounded. Valjean takes the unconscious Marius down a manhole into the sewer to protect him. Javert returns to the barricade to look for Valjean’s body. Not finding him among the dead, he determines he must have escaped into the sewer.

When Javert does eventually find him, Valjean entreats him for time to deliver Marius to a hospital before surrendering to Javert. Javert reluctantly agrees and says he’ll be waiting.

However, now Javert is desperately conflicted by the mercy Valjean has shown him. Unable to live in the debt of a thief he throws himself off a bridge into the River Seine below.

Marius also grieves over the loss of his friends, and wonders about his rescuer as he recuperates. He and Cosette talk of their upcoming wedding and invite Valjean to live with them after they are married. He is grateful but confesses the truth about his past to Marius, explaining that Cosette knows nothing about his real identity and to stay would disgrace and endanger them both. Marius agrees never to reveal the truth to Cosette.

The lovers are married. The Thénardiers come to the wedding to try to blackmail Marius, saying they know the truth about Valjean’s real identity. As a result, Marius learns that it was Valjean who saved him the night the barricade fell. He and Cosette hurry off to find Valjean, where at last Cosette discovers the truth about her past before Valjean dies. The spirit of Fantine comes to take him to heaven, joined by all those who died on the barricade.

Old Birkonian Cast

Ed Oulton as

Alex Herod as

Jean Valjean

Javert

Did I go to uni? No. Should I have gone to uni? Yes. I woke up this morning in a panic because I was late for school. Then I realised I was 19... then I realised that no, I was late for school.

Enjoy the show. The crying isn’t acting, it’s real.

Well, Birkenhead School’s rendition of the musical Les Misérables is better late than never. This last year has been a bit different and a difficult one for many. I started a new journey. After leaving this school I headed to the University of Birmingham to study Medicine and I can honestly say it’s been easier to spend every day in my room attending virtual lectures for eight hours than having to re-learn an entire musical in a matter of weeks! Once again it’s been one of the highlights of my year and an absolute pleasure to have spent this time with the amazing cast, directors, musical director and everyone else involved. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.

Toby Meisner as

Esme Brennan as

Thénardier

Eponine

After being cast as Thénardier LAST YEAR I was overjoyed, we put hours of hard work into getting the play perfect, as it was my last play ever…. Until it was disrupted by Covid. Many tears were shed and we found ourselves going from balancing A-levels and a school play to having nothing at all to do. However, after a year’s ‘rest and relaxation’ we managed to get back to it and start rehearsing again, which was rocky to say the least, balancing final University projects and rehearsals, and many hours spent on train journeys back and forth.

Luckily after a few rehearsals the songs and steps started flooding back. Now being an Old Birkonian it’s been amazing to have the opportunity come back to the school for the play, but also to see so many friendly faces and catch up again with teachers. I have loved reprising the role and getting to make a few more memories at the school.

After being given the part of Eponine, I was really excited to play her as it is something I had wanted to do ever since I saw the film when it first came out, and was really grateful to have been given this opportunity.

This is the sixth musical I have participated in, starting and ending with Les Mis, and I will miss it so much when it is over. Taking part in the school musical had been such a huge part of my time at school, and has helped build my confidence on stage. I have probably enjoyed most being able to work with people I’ve grown up with doing the musical. It will really be strange not taking part again, so I would like to thank Mr Clark for giving me the opportunity to play Little Cossette in Year 7, and all the opportunities that have been given to me over the years by Mrs Pankhurst.

Old Birkonian Cast

Ben Goodwin as

Jack Hodgson as

Enjolras

Foreman

One day more? More like 365-something days more, am I right? Cause…this show got postponed for like…a year…and that’s a line from the… You know what, never mind. The point is: it’s been weird and wonderful coming back to this school, and this cast, and this musical after the equally weird (and not so wonderful) year we’ve all just had. I love these people, and feel very lucky to have had the chance to go through the beautiful and unique experience of putting this show back on stage with them. I will miss them all even more the second time we have to say goodbye. On the bright side, the long hiatus did give me a chance to better immerse myself in the world of the show, and actually learn some of its language. For exampledid you know the title, ‘Les Misérables’, actually translates to ‘super happy fun time, where absolutely no one dies, cries, or is even remotely close to being sad’. Who’da thought, huh?

Sounds like you’re in for a fun night… and I guess Italian wasn’t so hard to learn after all… #DontBelieveEverythingYouReadKids #TheyShouldReallyGetThatWordToWordRatioBetweenLanguagesChecked

This past year hasn’t been easy for anyone, not least of all me as I have found myself at Leeds Beckett University studying filmmaking. Still though, I’d rather come back and perform in a musical for a school I don’t go to anymore than do the work that will keep me in uni. I’ve missed the play so much, and am so glad it’s back.

Ed Brodbelt Technical Director

It all started back in 2014 when the school last did Les Misérables, that was the first production that I properly got involved in from a Sound perspective. As Les Misérables started it all, it is one of my favourite musicals of all time. So I thought when I left school and had just finished Fiddler on the Roof that would be my last, but with uni finished for the summer and not much else to do how could I not offer to come back and help with this one. I’m currently studying Electronic Engineering at the University of Leeds, and I’m involved in the Backstage society there again with a focus on Sound. I hope you enjoy the show and if all goes to plan then the tech should blend seamlessly with the production, fingers crossed I and my team can do it justice.

Lead Cast

Tom James as

David Turner as

Jean Valjean

Javert

After being part of four previous shows, I can say for sure that doing the annual production for this school is one of the strangest, most stressful and eventually most rewarding things someone my age can do. I have a great passion for theatre and the experience I’ve gained while playing Jean Valjean and Marius, as well as all my previous roles, is priceless. I believe fully that I continuously push myself to give the most believable performance I can on stage. However, what I’m most thankful for is the time the production gives me to spend time with the people I’d consider to be my closest friends. These productions would not be the same without them and I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.

I’ve previously done little acting in the School productions, instead preferring to play in the orchestra.

However, this year I’ve come on stage to play the role of Javert. It’s a challenging role that I’ve really enjoyed learning and playing. Outside of the production I am very involved with music in the School. I sing bass in the Chapel Choir and play saxophone and clarinet in the School’s Big Band and Concert Band.

Grace Harvey as

Nick Johnson as

Eponine

Enjolras

Being my last play at Birkenhead School, acting in this year’s production of Les Mis has been very sentimental. Due to the pandemic I have actually been able to play two roles for this production and have loved playing Eponine this year after playing the counterpart of the love triangle, Cosette, last year. I will miss acting, singing and even occasionally dancing in this school so much, and my experiences in all the plays, from Cabaret to Little Shop of Horrors, West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof are those that have most certainly shaped the person I am today. Next year, I am looking forward to continue acting at Durham University, where I will hopefully be studying English and Philosophy.

I first took part in Little Shop of Horrors in Year 8. I proudly played chorus member labelled ‘5’, and from that I gave my character a life, family and job that influenced how he was played. In Cabaret, my prospects were elevated upon being made ‘Sailor number 4’. This sailor, who had just gone through a rough divorce, had to put on a brave face and do what he loved: dancing in a fascist infested city. In Fiddler on the Roof, I stepped in to the shoes of a villain, who I inferred didn’t get much attention as a child. I didn’t much enjoy West Side Story, Americanisms irk me to no end. I have enjoyed taking part in these productions and I’m grateful to Mr Robinson, Mrs Pankhurst, Ms Smeaton and Ms Keegan for everything they’ve done.

Lead Cast Sophie McGrath as Cosette Understudy After watching my older brother in the original 2014 Les Mis production and last year’s West Side Story I felt it only right to audition for what would be my first, and now sadly my last Birkenhead School musical. I originally landed the roles of ‘sick whore’ and ‘girl 5’ and was later given the opportunity to understudy as Cosette, I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of taking on such vastly different characters. The musical has been a highlight of my time here at Birkenhead, and I am thankful for the countless hours put in by Mrs Pankhurst, Mr Robinson, Ms Smeaton, Mrs Eassie and Ms Keegan to make it perfect. I would encourage everyone to get involved in the musical, no matter your experience in theatre, there is a role for everyone and it is an incredible opportunity. I have grown close to many members of the cast and will miss you all, and the family-like environment created by such a unique shared experience.

Ted Ford as Marius It has been a pleasure and a privilege to play Marius. I've found it challenging and very rewarding to take on a lead part, having played Snowboy, one of the Jets, in West Side Story last time. At school I have always been a keen chorister and instrumentalist, but I shied away from acting until Year 11. I'm glad I started, because it has been a wonderful learning experience, among a great group of friends. I would like to thank all the teachers and support staff for making the production possible in such trying circumstances.

I was lucky enough to study Les Miserables for A-level Music, so I know it well and really enjoy it (it's my second favourite musical, after West Side Story). I've been able to get involved as a keyboardist with the band on the nights I'm not performing, which has been an expected and very welcome bonus. Thank you, Mr Robinson, for giving me the opportunity.

It has been hard work and fantastic fun to work with such an inspiring group of people on the production, especially over the last few months, and I have thoroughly enjoyed everything about it.

I just wish I could do it all again next year!

Sonny Boardman as Thénardier My experience with this performance of Les Mis has been as interesting as it can be. I was originally very happy to hear that the show was back on, but after the rigorous rehearsals that were constantly ongoing that feeling diminished slightly. In the beginning, I started off as a Drunk Revolutionary on the barricades by the name of Grantaire, but after a long year of consideration from Mrs Pankhurst's part, I was upgraded to a drunk tavern innkeeper called Thénardier when it was confirmed to be back on.

Clearly, upgrades come with a harder name to spell and the continuation of being inebriated constantly.

When this neverending story finally finishes, I will be pursuing the continuation of my acting career at university, where I hope to be a part of another great cast of people that I currently am working with.

Mary Cotton as Cosette Having been a late addition to Les Mis, I feel so honoured to have been able to join a cast that has brought me such joy. Once again, being in the production has helped me grow and learn so much and I have had the opportunity to become closer to an amazing group of people. The intense rehearsals have proved to be demanding, however, I have loved every minute of it and the reward of getting to do what I love outweighs any struggle! The chance to sing incredible music has been fantastic, and I have loved being able to challenge myself. I can’t thank the teachers enough for their continued support and hard work in making this experience so special.

Lead Cast Sub-Leads Gavroche

Darcy Jenkins as Fantine and Madame Thénardier I have been involved in School Musicals as long as I can remember - it was the only way to see my mum as she disappeared for six months of every year into the theatre. It's been a long journey from 'small girl in florist with parents' to Fantine, but I've loved every step of that journey. Les Mis has been a long, but good experience and it's been interesting to play both Fantine and Madame Thénardier as they are so different. I can't wait for opening night, but I will certainly miss all the friends I have made who will be leaving this year.

Jack Vicars

Little Cosette

Soyra Bhagwat as Madame Thénardier and Fantine The experience of playing roles that juxtapose one another as drastically as Fantine and Madame Thénardier is something I never anticipated, but I am so grateful for it. This has been one of the most fulfilling challenges and sharing roles with someone as talented as Darcy is also really exciting. They’re both such distinctive characters, with such different approaches to life and it’s enlightening to explore each one. I’m so happy to have re-entered this musical community that I thought I would be leaving for good in Year 9. Saying a swear word in front of authority figures and getting away with it is also pretty cool. I’m very much looking forward to future musicals here; it’s a lovely environment (when we’re not getting yelled at) because I love performing, especially with such an amazing group of people, ranging from Year 7 to the Upper Sixth. We hope you enjoy the show!

Sadie Berry

Tabitha Rushton

Ava Nor

Sub-Leads

Jake Ashcroft as Grantaire

Thomas Whieldon as Joly

Charlie Goodwin as Combeferre

Ben Cuthbertson as Legles

Henry George as Feuilly and Bishop

Samuel Jones as Courferyac and Foreman

Sub-Leads Rachael Oulton as Old Woman Emily Keating as Little Eponine

Paul Webster as The Bishop Emmeline Barry as Dancer

Han Khoo and Sonny Hughes as Constables and Thénardier’s Gang

Alice Jones as Little Urchin

Adult Chorus

Sophia Rowland and Carmen Wu

Beth Hitchen

Sadie Cardall

Ottilie Hill

Seb Richmond

Emme Ashfield and Zoe Janikiewicz

Children

Phoebe Rumsby and Isabelle Pickering

Olivia Gould and Harriet Dewar

Michelle Llaing and Alice Khoo

Emily Size

Children

Olivia Parfect and Jemima Blair

Jacob Smith and Lexi Daulby

Sofia Grundy and Reefe Pankhurst

Alexander Clarke

Lovely Ladies

Gemma Clewes and Ruby Wilcocks

Sophie McGrath and Lucy Cuthbertson

Aggie Boardman

Crew

Tech Team

Henry Christian, Ethan Brown, Owen Griffiths, James Turner, Ted Golding

Backstage

Tom Hodgson, Rosie Baker, Archie Wyles, Millie Southworth, Jim Nichol-Turner, Millie Collings, Helen Wallwork

Orchestra Flute

Simon Lawrence

Clarinet / Saxophone

Rebecca Thomas

Trumpet

Tom Molloy Natasha Keeling

Horn

Jon Gibson

Violin

Tasmin Lee Sophia Campbell

Cello

George Ayre Storm Woodward

Percussion

Jack Corlett

Keyboard

Jon Barton Ted Ford

Bass Piano

David Turner Philip Robinson

Production team Director

Kirsten Pankhurst

Musical Director

Philip Robinson

Assistant Director

Louise Smeaton

Technical Director

Ed Brodbelt Kate Eassie, Gaynor Lynch Louise Smeaton, Annie Robertson Sarah Hardman-Gardner Peter Leigh Ginny Margerison Mike Stockdale

Costumes

Set Design and Construction

Backstage Staff Manager

Mark Turner, Tom Whitworth

Technical Staff Manager

Steve Robinson

Production Staff Manager

Carol Keegan

Choreographers

Matthew Harris Matt is a professional dancer and choreographer from London. He specialises in Ballroom and Latin American and his work has taken him across the world. He has toured with Brendan Cole in his All Night Long theatre tour and he has performed on Strictly Come Dancing for a number of years. He was also the Ballroom coach for Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, as well as the ‘Beast Double’ in the feature film, Beauty and the Beast.

Sophie Tickle Sophie graduated from Exeter University in 2011 with a 1st Class BA (Hons) degree in Drama. Prior to her studies she trained at the Elizabeth Hill School of Dance and Drama for 15 years, where she completed both RAD and ISTD exams to an Advanced Level. Sophie now works as a freelance Dance and Drama artist performing and teaching across the UK. Sophie has also choreographed for dance platforms, national competitions and musicals, such as A Chorus Line at the Exeter Northcott. She has also appeared as a dancer on the BBC and in the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Projections designed by Kade Mendelowitz and Tiffany Ayers www.theatricaldesign.com

Sound and lighting provided by: Crystal Sound and Light

Staging supplied by: National Stage Technology Evolution

Thank you also to Jake Barlow and Jon Christos who have assisted with vocal coaching.

With Thanks Parents’ Association Refreshments David Coleman and Richard Jennings Photography Carl Williams

Estates

Karen Alcock

Marketing

Andrew Deeny

Catering

Art Department

Backdrop, bridge

Colleagues

Green Room Supervision Giving up time and rooms

Prefects

Ushers

Parents

Ferrying for a mammoth stint

Mr Vicars

Support and encouragement and Pizza!

Mr Turner

Covid Safety and Risk Assessments

Thank you to the Parents’ Association for sponsoring the programme.