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REHEASALS are in full swing as St Christopher's School prepares to present its biggest-ever theatrical spectacular next month.
More than 100 members of cast and backstage crew aided by a support team will be presenting West End musical Les MisŽrables, a show which is currently celebrating its 25th year of attracting theatre lovers.
The school has hired the complete score and parts from London to ensure the event is an 'authentic experience' for everyone involved.
The school orchestra comprising of students, teachers and friends will be conducted by head of music, Ken Haggerty, and will provide live music accompanied by original sound effects.
The school's art and design technology department has contributed to making the sets, parents are working overtime to tailor the costumes and a technical and backstage team is gearing up to support the production.
Calling it a 'huge challenge' for the students, Mr Haggerty, who has directed the show before in Hong Kong, said: "We live in Bahrain where copyright may or may not be adhered to. But we have done everything by the book.
"This is the published score from London with us paying royalties and rights. We are following all the stage directions and are not adapting anything. This is how you would see it in London's West End with only a few exceptions.
"This is the first time it will be staged in Bahrain and will be bigger than what people expect it to be - a bigger audience, a bigger orchestra, a longer show and a big set. It is going to be much bigger than a normal school show.
"By choosing Les MisŽrables, we are obliging our students to try something much harder and will be taking them to the maximum of their potential.
"We expect people to be teary-eyed. It is a show that will have your hair standing on end. There are so many scenes where you feel the tingling.
"Chances to see Les MisŽrables don't come around very often so my advice for everyone is to grab the chance of tickets with both hands."
Head of drama Antony Thomas added: "Every section of the show is massive. It is the biggest show we have ever done. You look at the music, look at the orchestration, look at the costumes and the sets ... everything is enormous.
"Costumes are going to be fantastic. The children are being measured and some of them have several costume changes. They are all going to look great and there is no doubt about it.
"It has a whole gamut of human emotions and there are characters that everyone can relate to. There is pathos, there is humour, unexpected things, there is stuff for boys, stuff for girls, there is death, there is fighting - everything and that is why it is such a hit show."
The cast of 45 students aged between 12 and 18 have been rehearsing for the two hour-20 minute production since May. They were ordered to practise and listen to the show's music on their iPods during the summer holidays and had to return early in August to begin rehearsals, scheduled for seven hours a week.
The plot set in and around Paris in the 19th Century follows the story of Jean Valjean, played by Year 13 student Kanaan Abu Khadra, and his conflict with Inspector Javert, played by Year 12 student Akram Wahab.
Set against a backdrop of revolution in France, the musical is the adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel that has been set to music by Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil and has been performed over 10,000 times in London's West End.
One of the most tragic roles in the musical is of Eponine, whose story of unrequited love makes her one of the most charismatic characters. Playing the part is Year 11 student Holly, 15, who said it was nothing short of her dream role. She said: "Eponine is the kind of character that every girl sympathises with. She doesn't get the guy, she doesn't have the pretty dresses and your heart goes out to her.
"I hope I can get across to the audience. I love acting and I am singing in public for the first time. I think it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
A similar poignant role is enacted by Samah Ali who plays the role of Fantine, a harassed and wronged girl.
"The play really opened my eyes. I have great sympathy for the character as she has to sacrifice so much for her daughter. It made me think that we are so lucky to have lives that we have."
The two comical roles in the show feature an inn keeper and his wife, played by Byron Webb and Katie Beattie. They said their goal was to have lots of fun and make people laugh. Byron, 14, said: "I love the eccentricity and surrealism of all our roles and outfits, the singing and the movement and the boisterousness. It is over the top and exaggerated."
Aspiring engineer, Akram Wahab, 16, gets to play Inspector Javert, a middle-aged man, the anti-hero. He has been growing his hair look the part. Saying that he has stayed away from drama until now, Akram said: "The role tends to flow with my character. I am a serious person most of the time and it reflects on that.
Tickets priced BD5 are available for the show which takes place on December 6-9 at the Junior School Hall in Saar. There will be numbered seating on specially raised seats. Call 17788155 for more information.
