Do you hear the students sing? Sixth formers build the barricades with four-night sell out run

More than 120 of our sixth form students have joined forces to bring the West End classic Les Misérables (School Edition) to the Holy Cross stage this week.  

Led by Jennie Fairclough, Performing Arts Curriculum Leader and Director of Performance, auditions were held in September with rehearsals beginning as far back as October. 

Students from local high schools and primary schools also auditioned for the younger roles in the show – Gavroche, Young Cosette and Young Eponine – with Olly Robinson (11) from Holly Mount RC Primary School, and Abigail Beales (12) and Mary Cooper (12) from St Gabriel’s RC High School successfully making the final cast list. 

Cosette (played by Maisie Bevan) and Marius (played by Zach Campbell-Robinson) in the Holy Cross College production of Les Misérables (School Edition) 

This year’s performances of Les Misérables (School Edition) hold a special place in our hearts. The last time our talented cast of students was ready for curtain up, and five days before opening night, the country went into its first national Covid lockdown.  

All shows were cancelled and our students never got the chance to perform the show, which includes world-renowned songs such as I Dreamed a Dream, At the End of the Day, One Day More and Do You Hear The People Sing? 

Jennie, who is overseeing her eighth Holy Cross production as director, said: “I can’t help feeling emotional about this run of performances – what happened in 2020 plays on all our minds, it was heartbreaking to see all that hard work never make it to the stage.  

“I think it’s struck a chord with our audience as well, because tickets for closing night sold out in five hours and we had a complete sell out by the end of February, a whole month before the shows. We’ve had to release extra restricted view seats for every performance which are also being snapped up quickly. 

“What always makes me so proud is that we have such a mixture of students involved – from those with little or no previous stage experience to those who are auditioning for specialist drama schools. The production allows students to build their confidence, find their voice, and make friends for life.  

“Every year, each cast amazes me in their determination and passion to create the best show they can for their audience. Their sense of pride and community is first and foremost, because it transforms their experience, but above and beyond anything else, it’s a space for them to have fun.” 

l-r Fantine (Lucy Davies), Jean Valjean (Daniel Beresford) and Eponine (Jess Fiddy) 

Carina Vitti, Principal of Holy Cross College, said: “The College Production is undoubtedly one of the highlights of our academic year, and something which I know a lot of staff and students look forward to from the minute the auditions start in September. 

“I’d like to congratulate every student and member of staff involved in bringing this incredible show to life on our stage – there’s a large amount of time and effort that goes into bringing all the elements together to create a fantastic performance. 

“A special thank you, as always, to Jennie and her team – they put their heart and soul into every Holy Cross production, and I can’t wait to watch it this week.”   

The full cast of more than 120 students and staff bringing Les Misérables (School Edition) to the Holy Cross stage this week 

Les Misérables (School Edition) in numbers: 

74 students in the cast, 20 in the crew and 25 in the orchestra 

Five staff: Jennie Fairclough – Director, Abbie Lynn - Musical Director, Charlotte North – Choreographer, Lee Davies - Stage Manager & Lighting, Dom Tanner - Sound Design 

23rd show Jennie has been heavily involved in, and the eighth show which Jennie has directed 

Main characters cast list: 

Jean Valjean – Daniel Beresford 
Javert – MJ Osei-Berko 
Fantine – Lucy Davies 
Thénardier – Isaac Vitti 
Madame Thénardier – Bethany Mansour 
Marius – Zach Campbell-Robinson 
Cosette – Maisie Bevan 
Eponine – Jess Fiddy 
Enjolras – Bernard Cooper 
Gavroche – Olly Robinson (11) from Holly Mount RC Primary School 
Young Cosette – Abigail Beales (12) from St Gabriel’s RC High School 
Young Eponine – Mary Cooper (12) from St Gabriel’s RC High School