Get ready to hear the people sing! For the very first time, by special permission from Cameron Mackintosh and Music Theatre International, the Norfolk and Norwich Operatic Society (NNOS) is teaming up with Threshold Theatre Company, Sound Ideas Theatre Company, and Echo Youth Theatre to bring one of the UK amateur premieres of Boublil & Schönberg’s epic musical triumph Les Misérables – Let the People Sing, right here at Norwich Theatre Royal between 2 – 6 Jul.
We sat down with some of the cast who are leading the charge, John Derekson (our intense Javert), Kayleigh Perrin (dreamy Éponine), and Hannah Lucas (the delightfully devious Madame Thénardier) to talk about the rehearsals, dream roles, and just how incredibly special it is to be part of Les Mis magic!
Tell us a little bit about yourselves.
John: My name is John Derekson. I was born in Norwich and grew up in Taverham. My Theatre career began here at the Norwich Theatre Arts course many many years ago!
Kayleigh: I’m Kayleigh, I’m 23 and I’m a French and Spanish student at the UEA, who also loves performing.
Hannah: Hi! I’m Hannah. I am originally from Somerset but have found myself in the lovely East, teaching drama.
Who are you playing?
John: I am playing Javert.
Kayleigh: I’m playing Éponine (a dream role of mine)!
Hannah: I am playing Madam Thenardier.
How special is it that you get to be a part of a select few who get to do Les Mis?
John: So very special, I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this iconic show, having listened to this soundtrack all my life.
Kayleigh: Words can’t even explain it. I feel so lucky and grateful to have been given the opportunity to bring this iconic character to life and to share her story on stage with both those who have seen Les Mis a million times and with those who have never seen it before! Most of all, however, I feel completely blown away that out of so many auditionees, the NNOS team entrusted me with the role; I can’t explain the feeling I had when I first found out, and it’s not really gone away.
Hannah: It is such a privilege! There were so many lovely and talented people in the auditions, I was happy just to be working with them in the audition room, but to get the part was completely unexpected! I hope I do everyone who has ever thought of Madam Thenardier as a dream role proud.
What should we expect with the NNOS version of Les Mis?
John: It will remain faithful to the original by having amazing voices and heartbreaking storytelling throughout, delivered by this incredibly talented cast, which I feel honoured to be a part of. What a treat!!
Kayleigh: You should expect to be surprised and moved in a completely new way. What Chris and the team have done with the show is completely inspired, and I think it is going to make a lot of people fall in love with Les Misérables all over again.
Hannah: Expect drama, misery and an amazing amount of talent! and the occasional comedy moment from Mr Thenardier and I!
What is your favourite song in the musical?
John: Of course it’s……..” Stars”!
Kayleigh: My favourite song from the show would be A Heart Full Of Love. As much as it’s not a huge company number, I think it’s such a beautifully crafted song, and the scene itself is heartbreaking for Éponine, which is really fun to play around with in the acting. I also love being able to sing with Will and Hannah as Marius and Cosette, because they are both such amazing performers, and I feel very honoured to have a seat at that table.
Hannah: One Day More gives me goosebumps every time!
How are the rehearsals going?
John: Not knowing any of the cast when I started, I was quite nervous to begin with. Now I consider them my friends, and I look forward to seeing what everyone brings to the characters at each and every rehearsal.
Kayleigh: They have been going really well! It’s been such a joy to be around such amazing performers and lovely people who are incredibly supportive. Everyone is just so friendly, and we all have a laugh in rehearsals (in between the tragedy, of course)! The whole cast has such a love for this musical, and it’s been amazing to see that seep into everyone’s efforts within the show.
Hannah: They’re so fun! I’ve loved working with everyone and meeting the whole cast! Making people laugh in rehearsals is the best feeling!
Any funny moments?
John: As I finish singing Stars little Gavroche comes on and delivers a brilliant line to undermine my character. The comic timing is perfect, and it’s all I can do to keep a straight face! Also, the Thenardiers are both awesome.
Kayleigh: Speaking of A Heart Full Of Love, definitely a highlight for me was doing some character work with our Assistant Director, Phoebe, when she asked us to play the scene as if we were in a nightclub. The second we tried it, it felt so ridiculous that Marius, Cosette and Éponine would be busting some moves in the club, that we just couldn’t stop laughing. But, I’ll tell you what: it definitely worked for our performance.
Hannah: Apart from me?! Working with the incredibly talented kids cast and seeing their scared little faces, it was hard not to giggle! Especially considering I am a teacher.
Are you excited to perform at Norwich Theatre Royal?
John: I first sang on the Theatre Royal stage in a competition called Junior Startime in 1986. To be back on the same stage nearly 40 years later is a full-circle moment. I am very, very excited to be back!
Kayleigh: Definitely! I haven’t performed at Norwich Theatre Royal since I was about 14 in a dance show. Which, if you know me, feels bizarre to say, since I am not much of a dancer now… But, I’m so looking forward to taking the stage as an adult, playing Éponine; it still doesn’t quite feel real.
Hannah: If excited is a synonym for nervous, then I’m incredibly excited!
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
John: I warm up my voice and body well, then run through lines to bring them to the front of my mind. I pace around for a while as the nervous energy grows, then as the music begins, I can relax into the show and enjoy myself.
Kayleigh: Not any rituals per-sé, but I do like to have a lot of quiet time before a show. I get incredibly nervous, and I don’t like to feel unnecessarily overwhelmed before I go on stage, so I do enjoy just watching a Netflix show or reading a book to try and calm my nerves and distract my mind a little bit. Once it gets to Act 2, I’m normally okay, though.
Hannah: When I get nervous, I tend to sing everything I say, so I’m sure that won’t get annoying for everyone backstage….!
Les Misérables – Let the People Sing is at Norwich Theatre Royal between 2 – 6 Jul. For more information or to book, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000.
