STUDENTS from The Barn Academy in Cirencester have been thinking big for their summer season, taking on the hit powerhouse musical Les Miserables from August 14-18.

Staged at The Griffin Theatre in Rendcomb and featuring a 15-piece orchestra and 40 cast members, Les Miserables promises to be one of the most ambitious projects yet staged by students from the Barn Academy Summer Project.

Directed by Benn Williams, with Choreography by Kelly Marie-Williams and Musical Direction from John Quirk, Les Miserables is the world-famous story of the power struggle between Jean Valjean and the Police Inspector Javert over a period of 20 years.

Jean Valjean is released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang and finds that the yellow ticket-of-leave he must, by law, display condemns him to be an outcast, forcing him to seek refuge with the Bishop of Digne.

Caught stealing silver, Valjean is spared from further imprisonment by the Bishop, who lies for him and sends him on his way. Javert is determined to catch the man who has violated his parole, so as Valjean finds new success under a new name he continually comes close to the hands of Javert, whilst another revolution constantly looms over Paris.

Packed with great songs, the Les Misérables music includes ‘At the End of the Day’, ‘I Dreamed a Dream’, ‘One Day More, On My Own’, ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’ and ‘Bring Him Home’.

Following this will be Disney’s Aladdin JR. Based on the animated Disney film, the show will feature some favourite Disney songs, including ‘A whole new world’.

Aladdin Jr. will play at the Barn Theatre from August 23-25.

  • For tickets to Les Miserables visit barntheatre.org.uk/performances/les-miserables
  • For tickets to Aladdin JR visit barntheatre.org.uk/performances/aladdin