The reason was clear - I had applauded so loudly and for so long at the end of this stunningly brilliant production.

This 'schools edition' of the long-running London show is just about as flawless as you can get. The singing is superb, the dancing and movement is brilliant, and there are individual performances that would grace any stage, whether in an Angus town or a city.

The action is set in Paris, before, during and after the French Revolution. Whilst the opening scene epitomises the drab, joyless existence of life in which stealing food for one's family leads to a long prison sentence with hard labour - in the case of Jean Valjean 19 years - the rest of the production is full of vivacity as we follow the life of Jean, brilliantly played by Matthew Tomlinson, whose vocal range is astonishing - as is the control he has over his voice.

Jean has one dip into serious theft, from which he is rescued by an astonishing act of kindness by a bishop, and spends the rest of his life atoning for it.

Fantine, who sells herself in order to buy medicine for her daughter, is superbly portrayed by Angela Branney - another whose voice I could have listened to all evening.



Adam Newth plays Javert, the policeman who has been searching for Valjean, and who finds him twice. Adam's vocal skills are well-known in Arbroath and beyond, and he is a member of the National Youth Choir of Scotland.

Space constraints this week forbid further praise for the principals, but I cannot omit Ryan Kopel, who plays the street urchin, Gavroche. What a performance! Cheeky, all-knowing, energetic and with a voice of the utmost clarity and penetration. He has been a member of AMYT since he was eight, and this is his first appearance in a senior production. I am sure it will not be his last!

The other principals are: Bethany Louden, who plays Little Cosette; Paula Mitchelson, Cosette; Chris O'Mara, Monsieur Thernadier; Amy Fitzpatrick, Madame Thernadier; Calum Fraser, Marius; Phillip Ryan, Enjolras; and Camilla Carr, Eponine.

The Thernadiers provide comic interest which increases as the show progresses and, certainly on the first night, they were still on duty after the final curtain!

If I may make a tongue-in-cheek comment, because this is a musical in the operatic style, we have a situation where a fight can be stopped by singing at it - and even better, after Fantine dies she is still able to sing as her ghost!

The producer/director is Danny Webster, accompanist is Marine Kyle, and musical director of the superb orchestra is Richard Allan.

In addition to the principals, the extensive and talented cast comprises: Robert Anderson, Linsey Barnes, Ewan Barrack, Kerr Barrack, Tasha Bates, Alana Beattie, Elliot Beattie, Heather Black, Daniel Bruce, Rachel Burness, Thomas Coutts, Gemma Crowe, Haig Cruickshank, Heather Easson, Corah Edgar, Lana Edgar, Danielle Findlay, Jill Findlayson, Beth Forbes, Eilidh Forbes, Shannon Grant, Louise Hutton, Becky Irvine, Aimee Lafferty, Marcellis Larnyah, Caley McIntosh, Chris Macleman, Sara Ann Masson, Ruaridh Mathieson, Kerry Mitchell, Erin Mowatt, Claire Nicol, Kirsty Jo Petrie, Jennifer Reen, Kirsty Robertson, Rachel Robertson, Lyndsay Celeste Russell, Katy Scott, Heather Simmonds, Peter Simmonds, Blair Wallace, Fraser Wallace, Holly Watson, Fiona Watson, Yasmin Worrall, Josh Wright and Kerenza Yates.
Junior cast members are Harry Anderson, Rebecca Annandale, Laura Black, Jessica Buick, Sophie Fitzpatrick, Rhiannon Grant, Daniel Law, Sophie Martin, Hannah Robb, Rachel Sim and Ailsa Wallace.

The orchestra comprises Karen Hamilton, Anne Webster, Lindsay Millar, Colin Sangster, Gordon Robertson, Marina Kyle, Isobel Luke, Euan Gow, Malcolm Dowie and Paul Judge.

You won't have long to wait until you can see Angus Musical Youth again - they are reprising their successful 'Jane Eyre' for three nights, November 20 to 22. I suggest you book now!
G.W.C.