An unforgettable journey of collaboration and artistic excellence.
Our Quarry Theatre was abuzz with anticipation as Bedford School and Bedford Girls’ School unveiled their joint production of Les Misérables. Over one matinee and four unforgettable nights, the stage was transformed into 19th-century France, immersing the audience in a world of love, sacrifice and redemption. The matinee and first evening performances were nothing short of epic, setting the tone for what would be a truly outstanding run. Each subsequent performance continued to build on this high standard, with every member of the cast delivering magnificent performances that captivated the audience.
From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear that months of hard work, dedication and passion had gone into this production. The powerful vocals, stunning set design and meticulous attention to detail transported the audience to the heart of Victor Hugo’s timeless story. The live music, performed by the talented musicians of Bedford School and Bedford Girls’ School, added an extra layer of depth and emotion to the show.
Lower Sixth Former Harry L’Estrange, cast as Jean Valjean, delivered a performance that was nothing short of extraordinary. His powerful voice and emotional depth brought the character to life, drawing tears from even the most stoic audience members. It was a performance of a lifetime, and one that will be remembered for years to come.
Harry explained, “When presented with this demanding role, I watched a few different adaptations and interpretations of the role, in order to have a fuller picture of the complexity behind Valjean. From there, I was able to select different attributes that I deemed to be especially important, to make the role my own.” He continued, “In all honesty, when cast as Valjean, I didn’t know how to feel. I was honoured to be chosen for the role, however there was a certain sense of intimidation that appeared due to this decision. It took me a while to settle into the role, because of this, however I feel as though as time went by, I was able to relax a bit more, and really get into the shoes of the character.”
Fifth Former Jamie Hall’s portrayal of the complex character Inspector Javert was equally compelling. Jamie delved deep into the psyche of Javert, capturing his inner turmoil and relentless pursuit of justice. His on-stage chemistry with Harry L’Estrange was palpable, a result of their dedicated rehearsals and mutual understanding of their characters. Together, they created some of the most intense and memorable scenes of the production.
Jamie Hall explained, “Learning lines came first as I learnt them over the summer and, after that, I was just trying to morph into this character, which came more and more after each rehearsal. Managing to save my voice was probably the hardest aspect to the role as, as well as being physically imposing, I needed to be vocally imposing which was difficult on the voice! Overall, I was fine, going into the last week with a bit of help from hot water and honey!”
Another standout element of the production was the love triangle between Marius, Éponine and Cosette, portrayed by Hamish Timmins, Lauren Blower and Rosie Freear, respectively. Remove Former Hamish Timmins, who played Marius, shared his approach to preparing for the character, “When pulling together Marius, I thought it was important to show all sides of him. There’s the love interest, friend and student side of him which I wanted to include in the production. I also wanted to make it clear to the audience who he was by showing these characteristics. I found it most helpful to go through each song and reflect on which part of Marius was being displayed.”
Rosie Freear, who played Cosette, added, “Cosette undergoes such a drastic change between her childhood and young adulthood, and I was lucky that Ameya (Polavajram) portrayed young Cosette so beautifully, meaning older Cosette sort of came naturally from that. It was very interesting acting out Cosette as she becomes curious and even frustrated with her sheltered life, because she doesn’t really recall the suffering she endured as a child.”
The larger-than-life characters of Thénardier and Madame Thénardier were brought to life with exuberance and flair. Played by Lower Sixth Former Henry Gillham and Bedford Girls’ School pupil Lily Robertson, the young actors clearly had a blast playing these roles, infusing their performances with humour and energy. Their practice sessions were filled with laughter and creativity, which translated beautifully on stage, providing much-needed comic relief amidst the drama.
Behind the scenes, the technical crew, comprised entirely of pupils from both schools, played a crucial role in the production’s success. They expertly managed the lighting, microphones and sound levels, ensuring that every performance was seamless. Their hard work and technical prowess were evident in every scene, making them an indispensable part of the team.
Directed by Bedford School Drama Teacher Miss Boughey, the production was a testament to the power of collaboration. As Miss Boughey explained, “From our first rehearsals, it was clear that this collaboration was much more than just a school production. It became a shared mission, an opportunity to learn from one another, and a chance to grow as performers, musicians and people. Pupils from both schools have worked tirelessly, pouring their hearts into every note, every scene change and every character, with each rehearsal revealing new layers of talent and commitment. It has been a tough but enjoyable experience for all involved. This is a credit to the pupils.”
Reflecting on the performance, Harry added, “My most cherished memory from the performance is the Epilogue moving into the final ensemble rendition of the timeless classic, Do you hear the people sing?. I love the feeling as all the rest of the cast slowly emerge onto stage and it builds up from nothing to grow to a triumphant finale.”
In conclusion, this collaboration of the two schools’ drama students was a triumph. It was more than just a school play; it was a testament to the power of teamwork, dedication and artistic excellence. This production has set a new standard, and we eagerly await what these talented pupils will bring to the stage next.
