LES Miserables has been running in London since 1985 and is one of the best loved musicals in the world, writes our theatre critic Kerry Black.

Last week Dunfermline audiences were privileged enough to experience the Schools Edition of this show, presented by the amazing Why Not? Musical Theatre Company.

Why Not? have been training young people for the stage since 2003 and always offer an excellent show. They certainly deserved the standing ovations they received!

I have seen several youth versions of Les Mis in the past but what elevated this show to a new level was not only the quality of the singing and acting on stage but the phenomenal set. They used a rotating stage plus one of the best lighting designs I have ever seen.

It is rare that companies can post a Full House sign, but they succeeded on several nights. What a triumph! Particular mention must go to some of their young principals, especially Adam Campbell who made a very compelling Javert, the policeman driven to spend years hunting down Jean Valjean.

Adam has been in several Lochgelly Musical productions, but nothing prepared me for the power of his performance. Full marks to Graeme Melvin (Director) and Alan Gibson (Musical Director) for a stunning show.

In the film of Les Miserables, Anne Hathaway won an Oscar as Fantine. Here, Rebecca Mitchell took the role of the young woman forced to turn to prostitution to help support her daughter Cosette. Rebecca is the daughter of Bobby and Fiona Mitchell, who are both well known to local musical audiences.

She gave an intensely emotional performance, singing the role brilliantly. Every show needs some comedy and Liam Miller gave M. Thernadier just the right mix of sleaze and malice, with Caitlin McCracken as his wife. There was such a high standard throughout the show that it is really hard to single out individuals, however Lois Hardie made an excellent Eponine. Strangely enough, the first time I ever saw her she played Young Cosette!

One of the best things about youth theatre is watching performers grow and develop. Several of this cast have just featured in Carnegie Youth Theatre’s excellent recent show of Rock of Ages including Sam Eastop (Jean Valjean) and Lewis Aitken (Enjolras).

This brilliant show took us from the sewers of Paris to the famous barricade scene where the rotating stage certainly added to the emotion of the moment! Bravo Why Not!