WATCH: A three-night performance run by a Pembrokeshire youth theatre group stands out as one of the top experiences of 2023.

Vision Youth Theatre’s interpretation of Les Miserables (school edition) this summer wowed the audience at the intimate Boulevard Theatre in Milford Haven.

Based on a novel by Victor Hugo, the popular musical is like a contemporary opera, in that nearly every word of action is sung. The deeply rewarding score is challenging and the acting requires strong emotional involvement. The teenagers, directed by Drew Baker and accompanied by Clive Raymond, lived up to the challenge so well that members of the audience were commenting that they preferred this local, spirited performance over the ones they had seen at London’s West End.

The cast included Rhys Williams as Jean Valjean, Iestyn Finch as Javert, Georgie Rochester as Fantine, Morgan Lewis as Gavroche, Jencyn Corp as Marius, Eva Rees as Enjolras, Charlotte Baxter and Mared Phillips as Cosette, Eliza Peach as Éponine, Ethan Clancy and Claire Hooper-Rees as M and Mme Thénardier.

Following the stellar performance, director Drew Baker said:

“Being part of Les Miserables (school edition) is a big ask - but the young people who made up the cast really did rise to the challenge - and then some.

“They got standing ovations every night - and the comments we received from members of the audience simply blew us all away - but the accolades were well deserved. The teenagers worked so hard and were so dedicated to giving it their all - and the results were astonishing. They turned in performances of real maturity and more than one person said that their work was worthy of any West End cast.

“Vision Arts is all about offering everybody the chance to develop their creativity, we want to make the arts accessible to all."