The Alexandra, Birmingham
Les Misérables: Let the People Sing! Lit up The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham with an incredible mix of heart, talent, and teamwork. This ambitious production brought together four local theatre groups—Birmingham & Midland Operatic Society (BMOS) who led the production, Bilston Operatic Company, Bournville Musical Theatre Company (BMTC), and West Bromwich Operatic Society (WBOS)—to create something truly special.
I attended the Saturday matinee, and the theatre was packed with families, friends, and supporters of all ages. The atmosphere was full of excitement, and by the interval, the row in front of me were already dabbing their eyes—clear proof of how emotionally powerful the first act had been!
The show was directed by Stephen Duckham, who brought real pace and clarity to the story. Aaron Gibson not only played Jean Valjean in the performance I watched, with incredible emotion and strength, but also took on the role of Assistant Director and Movement Coordinator—no small feat! His performance was full of depth, and his vocals really stood out. (More about him shortly).
David Easto led the orchestra as Musical Director, bringing out the emotion in every note, while Callum Thompson supported as Assistant Musical Director. Movement across the show was sharp and well-rehearsed, with help from Lauren Shirley as Assistant Movement Coordinator. Behind the scenes, Andrew Bird and Tami Mathieu made sure everything ran smoothly as Production Manager and Assistant PM.
Aaron Gibson gave a heartfelt and powerful performance as Jean Valjean—his voice and stage presence were a real highlight. Javert was played with a strong sense of authority and control, providing a brilliant contrast.
Fantine’s story was beautifully told, full of emotion, and Éponine and Marius were full of youthful energy and charm. Their voices blended really well, and their scenes together were touching and sincere.
The entire ensemble worked together brilliantly. Whether in big crowd scenes or more intimate moments, everyone played their part in building a vivid world on stage. You could tell how much care and effort had gone into every detail.
The live orchestra brought real depth to the performance, never overpowering the singers but always lifting the emotion. Classic numbers like One Day More and Annabel Pilcher’s performance of I Dreamed a Dream were especially moving and had the audience hanging on every word . A special mention for Éponine’s ‘On my own’, Beth Dickson’s delivery bringing tears all down my row.
Visually, the set worked really well—simple but effective. Lighting was used to great effect, and the barricade scenes in particular looked fantastic and were full of energy and drama.
From the first song to the final bow, the cast and crew had the audience completely captivated. What really stood out was the sheer commitment from everyone involved. You could feel the pride and passion pouring from the stage—it was more than just a performance; it was a celebration of everything theatre can be – amateur or professional.
I’m sorry to go on—but I really have to say this. If you were lucky enough to see the show, I’m sure you’d feel the same. And if you missed it, you missed a shining example of what happens when talented and dedicated people come together to create something truly special. Warm, emotional, and wonderfully put together, it was a real highlight for the Birmingham stage.
Did I stand at the end of the show? Absolutely—along with the rest of the audience, clapping and cheering. Bravo, one and all. Now.. Where’s my red flag?
Reviewed by – David T.
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