Les Misérables

Welcome to Dynamo Youth Theatre’s production of Les Misérables. We hope you have a wonderful evening in the unique environment of St Faith’s church. Dynamo is very grateful to Rev Peter Jones and his team for allowing us to perform here and for being so understanding about the disruption we have caused to the normal life of the church over this busy period.

This show brings to an end our 30th anniversary year and what a show to end it with! We perform very few shows more than once as we want to keep our programme fresh for the audience and present new challenges for both the casts and the directors. Les Misérables, however, is a show with huge popular appeal but it also tells a story which has a message that is always relevant and, we believe, is appropriate for performance in a church.

Our 30 years have seen remarkable changes in the world but despite all the technology that is around today, Dynamo still enthuses our young people to perform as a team to a high standard and to take our values forward into their adult life. We hope to be able to continue this work into the future but are worried that our lack of a permanent headquarters may restrict what we can do. If, by lucky chance, you happen to know of any premises in the local area which are or will be, vacant, that could provide us with rehearsal and storage space, please let us know.

I would like to thank everyone in the team who have made this show possible and especially Andrew Bowker who has given so freely of his time and energy over the last 30 years helping the hundreds of young people who have been members of Dynamo.

Enjoy the show and we look forward to seeing you at our event in May which celebrates the Diamond Jubilee.

Tony Goodbody – Chairman, Dynamo Youth Theatre

Looking back over the last 30 years, I don’t think anyone could accuse us of lacking the appetite for a challenge! For me, past appearances at The Kings and the New Theatre Royal spring to mind, not to mention many highly ambitious productions at The Arts Centre, often involving incredibly demanding sets. Indeed, we must be one of the few companies to have dared to build a revolving stage for a performance at The Spring – and we haven’t just done it once, but 3 times!

Nevertheless, having said all that, nothing really compares with the challenge we have undertaken in bring what is one of the most popular musicals of all time to the unfamiliar surroundings of St Faith’s Church. Just a look at the backstage credits which show the tireless involvement of almost more people than the actual cast, is indicative of our commitment to the project. However, none of this would have been possible without the amazing generosity and support of Canon Peter Jones and the St Faith’s community who even had to endure the scaffolding construction throughout the Christmas period.

Tonight, of course, you must take your part in the challenge by not only sitting on possibly the most uncomfortable seats imaginable but also braving the elements if you need a comfort break!

So, thank you for joining us in this special project being a vital part in what we hope will stay in the memory of all our young members for many years to come.

Andrew Bowker

Crew

Photography Paul Burrows, David Burrows

Publicity and Programme Alexander Booth,
Lucy Flannery, Tony Goodbody, Jayne Green

Front of House Jayne Green, Tricia Roberts
and DYT Committee

Hair and Make-up Janice Brewster, Pauline Cobbold, Caroline Crosby, Linda Doyle, Angela Hogarth,
Jackie Jennings, Ruth Jennings, Pat Longyear,
Lisa Parker, Brenda Phillips, Jo Phillips, Ethel Ray, Steph Roberts, Louise Sawkins, Sally Stroud,
Linda Stimpson, Angela Sturgess, Michelle Sturgess,
Sarah Sweatman, Sarah Taylor, Jackie Tutt

Costumes Rosie Searle, Claire Barnes,
Zoë Remnant, Kate Walsh, Julia Cairns,
Wendy Bailey, Jenny Strudwick, Gaby Course

Properties Jayne Green, Marion Howe, Debbie Seall

Health and Safety Barbara Haward

Lighting design and operator Jon Meyer

Sound design and operator Brent Milner

Deputy sound operator Chris Mould

Lighting programming Tom Pierce

Set design Graham Frost

Set construction Ali Copeland, Graham Frost,
Kevin West, Hugh Cairns, Dan Stroud, Mal Sturgess, Nick Haward, Bryan Rough, Ivor Copeland,
Ian Brewster, Tim Philpott, Emily James,
Tim Caton, Wayne Thomas, Mark Remnant.

Stage Manager Bryan Rough, Tony Goodbody,
Louise Lynton-Evans, Barry Fletcher

Deputy Stage Manager Matt Rawlins

Production Manager Mo Whiting

Musical Director Damiain Lodrick

Directing team Kate Burrows, Claire Copeland,
Jay Jupe, Jess Tier, Rosie Course, Abi Jeffery,
Lucy Green, Matt Sturgess, Callum West,
Matt Sackman, Pauline West, Andrew Bowker