Linda Kirkman's Review from the Echo

EVERY now and then there comes along a production that makes me feel I am the luckiest person in the world to be a theatre critic, and this was certainly one of them.

I first saw Les Mis at the Barbican in 1985 and have seen it countless times since, and I can truthfully say that the NFP youngsters and their wonderful director, Sarah Haberfield, produced all the power and passion evident in the West End version.

Not only could they act with a truthfulness that had me reaching for a tissue on more than one occasion, but all had excellent singing voices too, and they never faltered.

Using just a simple but effective set and piano accompaniment the familiar story sprang to life in this simply brilliant production, and the spontaneous standing ovation at the end said it all.

The principals, mostly aged around 15, were absolutely outstanding, and although lack of space prevents me mentioning them all I must single out Connor Miller (Jean Valjean), Josh Haberfield (Javert), Kate Simpson (Fantine), Ben Mundy (Thenardier), Charlotte Blake (Madame Thenardier), Amy Loader (Eponine), Zadie Ward (Cosette), Harlie Sutherland (Marius), Sam Haberfield (Enjolras) and Henry Clitherow (Gavroche).

The Glums? No way.

Linda Kirkman