NODA representative Dianne Hayes and regional councillor Sharon Davies, in their capacity to support, review and nominate for forthcoming NODA awards, attended a performance of Les Miserables at Monmouth Comprehensive School recently.

Following the performance of Les Mis, Ms Hayes took the opportunity to make a presentation for Best Youth Production 2022 for Seussical Jr (awarded at the September 2023 NODA awards ceremony) to Owain Phillips and Bon Farr (leading roles in Seussical JR.). Ms Hayes also took the opportunity to praise the cast of Les Mis for their performance that evening and gave her deepest respect to the performers. NODA were also present at MCS productions of Sister Act and Matilda Jr in 2023 and they await any nominations for these performances in the 2024 awards. MCS are proud to be members of NODA and are grateful for their continued support and recognition of their work within Theatre.

Monmouth Comprehensive School’s performance of Les Misérables was an absolute triumph! The elaborate and visually stunning set, supported by the intricate lighting and sound effects, transported the audience to 19th-century France, creating a captivating backdrop for the unfolding drama. The students on the backstage and technical crew ran the scene changes meticulously and professionally. The audience were in awe of how seamlessly scenes transitioned, exclaiming how professionally the student backstage crew and cast members timed their set and technical changes. Audiences were even more blown away to discover that our actors were singing against a live 15 piece orchestra led meticulously by Amy Ritter, the Head of Performing and Expressive Arts at MCS, all snuggly hidden behind the backing flats of the French streets. The talent and capability of the musicians stunned audiences when they learned that the students were not, in fact, singing against a backing track as they had once thought!

Their contribution added a layer of musical magic to an already enchanting evening, and it was only right that they finally came onto stage and took a bow on the closing performance.

The vast array of costumes, make-up and wigs added authenticity and visual richness to the production.