I feel compelled to blog about this amazing venue, after seeing Les Mis last night.
I’d previously seen Les Mis in London, and the film, so I’m
not going to lie, the students at the Emil Dale Academy had a tough act to
follow, but boy did they step up last night and equal anything I’d seen before.
In fact, I’d go as far as to say they superseded it.
I adore The Factory Playhouse in Hitchin, previously
seeing ‘Grease’ and ‘Night and the Musicals’, so I knew I was in for a treat with
Les Mis.
The scene was set almost
immediately, with the smiling faces of students directing us to the car park –
and a Prosecco marquee with a great atmosphere, playing just the right kind of music and serving
cheeseboards and drinks.
Once we were settled in one of 184 seats in the once
disused factory in Wilbury Way, we were spellbound from the off. Sam Hull’s performance
as Jean Valjean was breathtaking. It was hard to believe he wasn’t performing on
the West End stage. When he sang ‘Bring him home’ I’m not ashamed to say tears
rolled down my face…as they did with several other songs too.
Other amazing performances were by Iverson Yabut, who was
an incredible Javert, and Cameron Rhodes and Holly Masters gave hilarious
performances as Madame Thenardier and Mr Thenardier. Lizzie Wood as Fantine, Emily McCormick as Cosette, Joe Churms as Marius,
Esme Allen-Quarmby as Eponine, Alfie French as Enjolras, Amelia Burrows as
Young Eponine and Rosie Hostler as Young Cosette were all amazing. And last but by no means least, Nicholas
Witham-Mueller played Gavroche (the little cockney French boy) to perfection. Add in the amazing performances by the rest
of the cast, and what’s not to love? Oh, and if that wasn’t enough – Les Misérables
– and all shows at The Factory Playhouse – are accompanied by an amazing live
12-piece West End orchestra.
The next performance there is ‘Hairspray’ from 10th-21st
May 2017.
