A spectacular five-performance run of Les Misérables at the Stag received standing ovations for all three evening performances. The quality of the production has been likened to that of any professional theatre company including the West End version of the show

Originally adapted from Victor Hugo’s timeless novel of the same name, Les Misérables is an inspirational story which recounts the struggle against adversity in 19th century France. The stage production has been running for 27 years and has won Grammy, Tony and Olivier awards.

Audiences were not left disappointed by the youth production of this Broadway smash. Staged at the Stag Community Arts Centre by the superlative Bullfrog cast and directed by the renowned Cheryl Baker, every evening performance received a rapturous standing ovation from the audiences.

“When Bullfrog told me that they had acquired the license for Les Misérables or ‘The Glums' as it is affectionately known, I had mixed feelings - excitement and fear,” said director Cheryl Baker before the show. “Excitement because it is definitely the most challenging show we have ever produced; fear because such a show is either amazing or disastrous, depending on the talent and commitment from the cast, with no middle ground. I truly believe you will imagine you are watching a West End show. The cast is amazing, the set is as you would see in the West End and the live orchestra completes the show! The sheer emotion of the music alone has moved several of us to tears, such is that standard of performers.”

Those tears continued to flow, with strong but subtle renditions of the powerful musical score moving many in the audience to tears. 

“We have been bombarded with congratulatory emails,” gushes Jill McGrogan, producer of Les Misérables and director of Bullfrog Productions. “We have never experienced this before at this level! It has made the hard work all worthwhile. The cast of young performers have been dedicated and committed to the project for the last two weeks and I have never seen so many tears on Saturday night, as they all knew it was over! Special thanks must go to our principals who were absolutely fantastic and have fitted these rehearsals in between classes, exams and courses which will form part of their ongoing training and hopefully professional careers. The members of the ensemble were also wonderful and hopefully this will spur them on to continue their training with us and maybe soon they will be the principals themselves!”

BBC Radio Kent DJs PJ and Harris saw the show on Thursday and praised the production highly on their Sunday afternoon radio show. “We were blown away,” said PJ, who has seen the professional production in London’s West End five times. “The standard was breathtaking. Everyone in the company was faultless. Cheryl Baker – you should be very proud. We’re a bit picky with what we go out to see:  I have to say, that was superb. If you were involved with it – whether you were backstage, you were stage crew, whatever your involvement was, you deserve a pat on the back. It was totally sensational. If you hadn’t seen Les Misérables and you saw this one – well, you don’t need to go to the West End now!”

His colleague agreed. DJ Harris said: “It was very, very good. The lead, Adam Hoskins, was absolutely wonderful, though everyone was good. Congratulations! We will look forward to the next one. ”

“This production was another in the long line of excellence from Bullfrog Youth and Les Misérables was a stunning example of their craft,” comments Andrew Eyre, General Manager at the Stag. “The Stag’s community ethos aims to provide the professional facilities on which professional shows like this can be staged. We have been overwhelmed by the positive reaction from individual customers and by the fact that every performance received a standing ovation. I saw it on Saturday evening when the cast deservedly received four curtain calls and two standing ovations. The cast from lead through to chorus members was musically excellent. The show is full of difficult solo performances and harmonically challenging production numbers but this cast, led by director Cheryl Baker, produced a magical theatrical experience. The cast was young but never over-awed. Many congratulations to them and Cheryl Baker for a wonderful show.”

As to whether the show will be rerun at the Stag, Jill explains, “We would love to do a rerun but without funding or sponsorship that seems unlikely.”

Bullfrog’s next production at the Stag is HONK! which will be staged in February 2013. 

Some of the messages received by the theatre:

WOW what a weekend, Sat amazing talent #bullfrog #lesmiserables @StagSevenoaks, last night a proud evening for GB, today back to work – @OnCallCarpets

@Cherylbaker Be very proud of your production #LesMis @stagsevenoaks - as good as the West End #totallyfabulous - @RuthPopeyeDoyle

Wow that was amazing well done to @Cherylbaker and the cast of #lesmis at @StagSevenoaks if UR free tonight and there are still seats GO! - @MascallsDrama

Great night @StagSevenoaks for Les mis! Some amazing performances! - @JessMc1011

Cried even more than watching Olympics! Gold medal to Les Mis @StagSevenoaks @JRodaway @ajwelsh2 – @Joanna_Hay

A standing ovation for the opening night of Les Mis @StagSevenoaks ! Can honestly say I am one proud mum! Going to go again tonight! - @lefawcett

@Cherylbaker Great show at the @StagSevenoaks this evening, you must be so proud of your cast! - @LaurenJWynn

Congratulations, Les Mis was absolutely fabulous tonight. Some REALLY talented youngsters in the cast. Well Done :) - @SAEarl

It was the best show this massively talented cast has ever performed. A full house standing ovation that lasted forever - @CherylBaker

Just wanted to say thank you very much for the tickets to Les Misérables. I went tonight with a friend - it was absolutely fantastic and congratulations to all who were involved. Those boys had amazing voices - such lovely tones - could have been a West End production – Maura Warren

Cast list