Les Mis production coming to stage

Sam Kennedy, Thenardier, and Skylar Cameron, Mme. Thenardier, rehearse for their roles in North Nova Education Centre’s upcoming performance of Les Miserables. The performance runs February 29 through March 4 at the school.(Harvie photo)

North Nova Education Centre students are bringing the dark and troublesome streets of 19th century France to Pictou County.
More than 55 players will be performing Les Miserables as the school’s annual drama presentation and students as young as Grade 3 are involved.
Directed by teachers Joel Pratt and Janice Alcorn, Les Miserables details the struggles of lead character Jean Val Jean as he is portrayed in Victor Hugo’s novel as a man imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread and being released on probation for the rest of his life.
Pratt explains, he escapes and lives his life underground with a child he adopted from a dying prostitute.
“It’s the story of his rise,” explains Pratt. “As he overcomes the side of evil and becomes good.”
This is the school’s 15th production and the last for Pratt who is retiring.
“This is somewhat bitter sweet for me,” he says, explaining the production has brought him full circle.
Les Miserables was the last production at New Glasgow High School before the students were moved to NNEC and will be his last.
What makes the last musical even more special for Pratt is that nine years ago, Delaney MacKay played the part of Little Eponine in Grade 3 and is now in Grade 12 playing the part of Older Cosette.
“It’s completely different,” says Mackay referring to this time around doing Les Miserables. “When I was younger, I didn’t understand the plot but it is exciting to come back and revisit it.”
MacKay is excited for the culmination, when everything comes together.
“I remember a bit from before,” she says. “Robin Alcorn, Janice Alcorn’s daughter, played the part of Older Eponine and now I see someone else playing that role. It’s neat to see the contrast between the actors now and then and how I saw the parts then based on now.”
Les Miserables runs February 29 through March 4.
“The students have been practising since mid October,” explains Pratt. “The entire performance is an opera and the students have been doing phenomenally well. I can’t believe how quickly they have grasped the songs.”
The production team is requesting the public’s assistance in preparation for the show.
“We are looking for old broken furniture,” says Pratt. “We have to build a barricade for the set and need old wooden furniture.”