Pupils from Ilkley Grammar School have wowed more than 1,000 spectators in a week of sold-out performances of the West End classic, Les Misérables (School Edition). Each night ended in a standing ovation, with audiences describing the production as “breathtaking,” “epic,” “spectacular” and “out of this world”.
One lady who watched the opening night wrote:
“It was absolutely magnificent from beginning to end. I've never seen a school show so polished and flawless. I've seen Les Mis at least 26 times, many of them in the West End and your show was up there with the best of them!”
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables is a story of passion, redemption, and the unyielding human spirit. Featuring a world-renowned score, including “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” and “One Day More,” this production transported audiences into Victor Hugo’s timeless masterpiece with extraordinary vocals, compelling acting, and stunning technical execution.
With a cast of 53 IGS students, a 19-piece live student orchestra, and a large student backstage and technical crew who managed all aspects of lighting, sound, costumes, set design, and special effects, the scale of the production was immense. Les Misérables, as a sung-through musical, is an ambitious challenge for any company, let alone a school, with a demanding score and centred on flawed and complex adult characters far beyond the students’ years. Yet, IGS students not only met this challenge— as one audience member wrote, “they nailed it!”
Musical Director, Vic Chapman stated:
“It has been a privilege to work with our incredibly talented students and staff on Les Misérables. The score is undoubtedly the most challenging we've ever undertaken.
The 'sung-through' libretto meant that our incredible orchestra were required to play continuously for up to 80 minutes at a time!! I am so proud that our student orchestra was able to perfect such a difficult score, performing with sensitivity and attention to detail.
The vocal score is also incredibly demanding and is composed for mature voices. The stamina required and vocal range, for some our principal characters, is almost operatic in nature and our vocalists went above and beyond. At times, I forgot this was a school production!!”
Jessica Pymar, Assistant Musical and Vocal director added:
“I am so proud of our fantastic, talented and hardworking students on their stunning performances of a very challenging musical; whether that be a lead role, in the ensemble, playing in the orchestra or behind the scenes, they absolutely deserved their standing ovation every night.
"As well the incredible finished product, a real highlight for me is seeing students of all ages, from years 7 to year 13, working tirelessly together in rehearsals, making long lasting friendships and just generally having a great time. It was clear from the speeches and emotion behind the curtain on the final night how much the school production means to students, and it is such a privilege to be a part of that."
Among the standout performances were Cecilia Hester as Fantine, delivering a heart-wrenching “I Dreamed a Dream,” Benjamin Kirk’s emotional portrayal of Marius in “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” and seasoned performer Justin Derla as Jean Valjean, whose deeply moving and masterfully controlled rendition of “Bring Him Home” left the audience in awestruck silence before erupting into applause. Matthew Disney brought both gravitas and torment to the role of Javert, delivering a commanding and conflicted performance, with a spine-tingling rendition of “Stars.” Jeff Cook’s charismatic presence as Enjolras ignited the revolution in “Red and Black,” while the comedic brilliance of James Hepworth and Daisy Button as the scheming Thénardiers provided perfectly timed moments of light relief. Evelyn Kennedy’s portrayal of Éponine was particularly heart-wrenching, with her raw and vulnerable performance in “On My Own” leaving the audience truly spellbound, capturing both the yearning and quiet strength of the character. Emma Chapman’s portrayal of Cosette was equally stunning—her beautiful, lyrical soprano voice was perfectly suited to the role and shone in “A Heart Full of Love,” capturing the innocence and emotion of the character. Year 8 student Jessica Dawson as Gavroche, year 9 Millie Shepherd as Young Cosette, and year 11 student Sam Woodward as the Bishop of Digne also showcased exceptional stage presence and vocal ability, standing out alongside the passion and revolutionary fervour of the ABC students.
Beyond the stunning solo performances, it was the powerful, rousing ensemble numbers that truly elevated this production to something extraordinary. Songs “At the End of the Day,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?” and the triumphant Act One finale, “One Day More,” swept the audience away, filling the school hall with an overwhelming sense of unity, passion, and energy. The sheer vocal power of the entire company, combined with impactful staging and dynamic lighting, made these moments an unforgettable theatrical experience.
The production of Les Misérables was a result of over five months of hard work and dedication, with students auditioning as early as May last year and rehearsing tirelessly from September, alongside their academic commitments.
Lara Ramrattan, Head of Drama at IGS who, alongside Rebecca Clift, directed and produced the show stated:
“I feel immensely lucky to work with such talented, creative and dedicated students who support and encourage each other to achieve their best whether they are: set and prop designers; musicians in the orchestra; singers, actors and dancers in the cast or members of the backstage team. The students have taken our direction to create a powerful and emotive Show, and we are brimming with pride. Vive La Production!!”
Headteacher, Carly Purnell added:
“I am bursting with pride at what our students have achieved. The soaring vocals, the deeply moving performances, the powerful ensemble numbers, and the sheer visceral emotional intensity of this show have been nothing short of breathtaking. From laughter to tears, from spine-tingling anthems to the most raw and heartfelt moments, this cast and crew have taken us on an unforgettable journey.”
“Supported and encouraged by our amazing staff who directed and produced the show, our students have shown us that ambition, talent, and hard work can achieve the extraordinary. Each night, as the final curtain fell, it has been clear that Les Misérables had left an indelible mark on every member of the audience. This was more than just a school production—it was a phenomenal piece of theatre that will be remembered for years to come.”