melbourne

Upstage Theatre Company have surely upstaged some here with their current amazing production of Les Misérables. It is certainly up there with the best I’ve seen.

https://www.upstagetheatrecompany.com

It may be difficult to find a better amateur production playing in suburbia right now and there are many excellent ones around. However you cannot go past the professionalism of this show. Highly skilled orchestra. Expertly designed and placed story-telling stage sets. Lighting working cohesively together with sound. Costuming complimenting every other aspect of the show. And, of course, an extensive cast who will have you feeling every ounce of the emotional turmoil lived in nineteenth century France.

Chains and crimes of the imprisoned and bleak futures of so many in peasantry are woven into a narrative for a musical like no other. A musical where everything is told by song. And such powerful songs at that. This is what theatre lovers simply call ‘Les Mis’

It goes unsaid Les Misérables is known the world over and back again. Step by step and song by song, settle down in your seat and take it all in…. This is live theatre at its best!

 

 

‘Jean Valjean’ is played by Ryan Purdy with instinct for his lead character magnificently realized on all levels. There’s no question when he opens with the words ‘What Have I Done?’ he’s got this!

Adrian Glaubert playing ‘Javert’ gives his ‘bucket list’ role everything, with noticeable presence on stage and depth in a psychological complexity required.

‘Fantine’ played by Jessica La Mari performs every inch of this coveted role superbly, her ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ gave me goose-bumps, and had the audience silenced before erupting in applause like there was going to be no other chance.

‘Eponine’ played by Alyssa Jandayan. Obvious young ambition here is going to see this girl on stages for a long time. Her ‘On My Own’ opening Act II nailed both song and expression.

‘Marius’ played by Nickolas Brown has really stepped up to greater heights since I saw him in his lead debut in The Pirate Queen; many more leads to come I think! Equally talented Olivia Falls playing ‘Cosette’ looked stunning with that famous long blonde crimped hair and again her costuming to compliment was spot on.

Felicity Eastwood as Madame Thenardier’ coupled with Matt Jakowenko as Thenardier’ are brilliant together, bloody brilliant!!! They’ll undoubtedly have you hating these loathsome characters, but their theatrics will have you in stitches.

Mike Armada gives ‘Enjolras’ a charismatic quality in one of his ‘dream roles’.

Accompanying roles played by Anthony Cirocco (Bishop/Fauchelevant) Daniel Chalmers (Foreman/Combeferre), Nick Sheridan (Courfeyrac), Joel Blashki (Joy/Jean Prouvaire), Chloe Neal (Claquesous), Brock Downie (Bamatbois/Montparnasse), Tom Acaro (Babet), Kenny Cheng (Brujon/Feuilly/Lesgles) are all very commendable and when paired with dramatic lighting effects, the fight scenes especially were well planned and executed.

It would be remiss not to mention the ensemble making the scenes extremely real and full of life, be it sad or happy, angry or tragic. Each individual wholly giving it their all in character all the time: Alannah Woods, Berny Hughes, Celeste Marinelli, Jessica Davy, Christine James, Stephanie Thao My Nguyen, Mia Knudson and Pippi Clarke whom I recognized immediately from her role in Upstage’s ‘Chicago’; there’s always incredible talent in the ensemble. Not just background actors, the ensemble make a show what it is on a grander scale and these people certainly did that 100 times over. ‘Master of the House’ for comedy and ‘Lovely Ladies’ for dancing were our favourites to watch you all – excellent!!

This production has talented youngsters among the cast too. I saw Maggie Lord as ‘Young Cosette’. This is a special role and I fondly remember my own daughter learning ‘Castle on a Cloud’ so it brought tears to my eyes watching Maggie sing it so beautifully – thankyou. I love how live theatre can do this and that personal re-visit made my day! (No doubt Daphne Tchantcho sharing the Young Cosette role also gives a memorable performance). Adding Alexis Hill to the junior cast as ‘Young Eponine’ she gave compelling confidence acting it out with her onstage mum, and 11year old Reuben Koronczyk was definitely the right fit to play ‘Gavroche’; funny, naughty and herosome all in one show! Shining as young ensemble members are Helayna Cirocco, Oscar Cirocco and Noah Glaubert – must be great to be amongst the stars in a show with your Dads on the same stage. Theatre gives children unique opportunities.

Congratulations to Director Cody Riker and team, Lana Kleesh (Movement Director), Anna Castle (Vocal Director), Scott J Hili (Prod Designer, Set and Costumes), Sam Victoria (Lighting), Malcolm McCaffery (Conductor), Simone Lim (Properties), Pete Oliver (Sound) – you have all produced a MUST-SEE!

As said by Upstage Theatre Company’s President Tim Warren-Smith, thank you for supporting community theatre. It truly means the world!

Ticket link: https://www.upstagetheatrecompany.com/

ON NOW: 10 – 19 April 2026

Les Misérables is playing at the impressive Tony Sheumack Centre, Beaconhills College, a huge relatively new school theatre with fantastic viewing from well tiered seats. I was grateful the Upstage welcoming team had someone guiding us from carpark and offered a free tea or coffee straight away on arrival coming in from the dismal rainy day outside – so thoughtful, and they had a great canteen for snacks.

Upstage Theatre Company’s next production is Jesus Christ Superstar in Sept/Oct. Auditions and information: Instagram @upstagetheatreco

To book tickets to Les Misérables, please visit https://www.upstagetheatrecompany.com/.

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