Pupils are top of the class (From Warrington Guardian)

Pupils are top of the class

AUDIENCES stormed the barricades at Knutsford High School last week and were rewarded with a performance of Les Miserables that would have been worthy of the West End.

Months of rehearsals resulted in a seamless, stirring and compelling production of what is arguably the world's most popular musical.

There was not one poor performance from the young students or all those people you tend to forget about - the backstage crew and the orchestra.

Cheer

From the costumes in the making since Easter to the impressive set design well done Andy Barber to the orchestra so good that at one stage you really felt as if you were in that sewer beneath Paris, it was first class.

The biggest cheer of the night as the curtain finally came down on the opening night was reserved for Nick Denton - and deservedly so.

The 16-year-old drama student had exuded confidence way beyond his years as the fugitive Jean Valjean.

It takes a big man to play that role; the mighty Liam Neesom played him in the Hollywood film adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel.

But Nick matched it, then made the part his own with a faultless performance of the haunting ballad Bring Him Home.

It came as no surprise to later learn that he had already appeared on stage at The Lowry, the Palace Theatre and the Bridgewater Hall.

For those who don't know the story, Les Miserables follows the fortunes, or rather misfortunes, of Valjean, a poor Frenchman unjustly jailed in 1796 for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread.

After being given a chance by a kind-hearted bishop, he decides to change his identity to make something of his life.

But to do so, he must break his parole, which dooms him to a life on the run from the self-righteous inspector Javert, played with dogged determination by Stuart Air. This, though, was a show, which allowed Knutsford High's brightest, rising stars to shine. Will Finlason gave a performance reminiscent of Mark Wilde as the Artful Dodger in the classic musical Oliver.

Ed Livesley and Amy Marshall played the conniving Thenardiers with a touch of comic genius that Frankie Howard would have been proud of.

Both dream of careers on the stage; both deserve them.

There were strong performances too from JamieLee Hilton (Fantine), Hannah Atkinson (Cosette), Kate McCann (Eponine), Danny Sala (Marius) and Kendal Sant (Enjolras).

They did not just sing the songs; they acted them. Knutsford High has never - and quite rightly - settled for second best. Thankfully they have never needed too.

Sue Briggs