BOUBIL and Schonberg's legendary musical continues to pack 'em in at theatres around the world and Ilkley's King's Hall is no exception.

The opening performance of Ilkley Amateur Operatic Society's fantastic production attracted a nearly full house. The Friday and Saturday performances were virtually sold out well in advance.

An exciting young company of around sixty is drawn entirely from the Society's richly talented Youth and Junior Section and displays consummate professionalism throughout this most challenging of musicals. There is no spoken dialogue - Les Mis is sung-through like an opera. Ilkley's cast was absolutely top notch and had evidently been expertly drilled by production director Mark Allan and musical director Mike Gilroy. The young voices have a certain freshness and visceral power that is frequently spine tingling. The ABC Cafe and 'Red and Black' chorus announcing the students and morphing into Do You Hear the People Sing, led by Tom Wood as Enjolras, nearly blew me out of my seat.

Jean Valjean aka prisoner 24601, sung by Toby Womak and his nemesis Inspector Javert, sung by Daniel Burgess, both create mesmerising figures. Toby's rendering of Valjean's song Bring Him Home provides one of the most moving moments in the whole show. Valjean pleads with God to save Marius (Gabriel Jones) whose poignant Empty Chairs at Empty Tables will likewise have you reaching for the tissues.

The entire production is visually stunning and magically lit. Simple and highly effective scenery allows ample space for the energetic movement of the cast on stage and into the auditorium via the apron stage walkway that surrounds the orchestra. Productions of Les Mis that I have previously encountered have been overwhelmingly dressed in funereal black. This one has much more colour thanks to some gorgeous 19th century period costumes in reds, mauve and blue.

Superlative orchestral backing is indispensable to the success of Les Mis. Ilkley is exceedingly fortunate to have Mike Gilroy and his handpicked Orchestra. They play with great sensitivity throughout the show. In fact they never stop, except for the interval.

It is actually worth begging, borrowing or stealing a ticket for this dynamic production of one of the greatest musicals ever composed. All somehow seems right with the world when you can hear young people singing as beautifully as this.

Les Miserables continues at the King's Hall until Saturday 4th November.

by Geoffrey Mogridge