SENIOR SCHOOL
Les Misérables
challenging, ambitious and amazing!
Senior Drama production
Les Misérables School Edition
by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg.
Directed by Jane Diamond
Guildford Grammar School’s 2015 Senior Drama Production was the
incredibly successful and stunning production of Les Misérables School
Edition by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, based on the novel
by Victor Hugo, by arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh Limited,
directed by Ms Jane Diamond, Music Direction by Mr Kieran Hurley and
Vocal Direction and Repetiteur by Mr David Gething. It was an ambitious
project to undertake, however in late 2014 I had decided that
Les Misérables would be a challenging and worthy operetta to
stage, stretching students as performers and musicians, as well
as providing an opportunity for the drama faculty to collaborate
with the music faculty, with the creative talents of Mr Kieran
Hurley, Director of Music and Mr David Gething, Choir Master.
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo is one of literature’s great
works, with its many plots, character layers, themes and
astute observations of the human condition, documenting
the plight of the poor and impoverished, and with its driving
message that any man can rise above his circumstances to
reach a better standard. To translate the monumental novel
into an operetta is an extraordinary creative task in itself
and the work has an incredible history of performance
seasons all over the world.
Les Misérables is set against the backdrop of an uprising
against a repressive government. The plot follows the
story of a convict, Jean Valjean, who after receiving his
ticket of leave, begins a life of freedom and prosperity,
becoming a successful factory owner and later a mayor.
He takes on the role of caring for Cosette, the daughter
of the dying Fantine, and raises her into a strong young
woman. Cosette falls in love with a young student,
Marius, whom she marries. Jean Valjean is pursued for
most of his adult life by Inspector Javert, who believes
‘once a criminal, always a criminal’, and that the
individual cannot redeem themselves through a process
of improvement.
This was a wonderful artistic process for the 42
talented performers from Guildford Grammar School
and Perth College, with our 18-piece orchestra and large
back stage crew. The students’ commitment, passion
and strong interpersonal skills poured into the process
to create an extraordinary production of sensitivity and
poignancy that was well beyond their youthful years.
Mitchell Robinson as Jean Valjean was unforgettable as
he delivered the emotional Bring Him Home, bringing many
members of the audience to tears. Matthew Healy showed
20
Mitchell Robinson
as Jean Valjean.