A TALENTED young Newcastle singer will make history next year when she stars in a special version of the legendary musical ,‘Les Misérables’.
Anna Moore will be part of the province’s homegrown talent taking to the stage of Belfast’s Grand Opera House next March for the unique amateur production of the show, in what will be its 40th anniversary year.
The local performer was whittled down from around 100 performers who were all vying for the role she had set her heart on.
The recently graduated primary school teacher, who is 22 and is a member of the Newcastle Glees Musical Society, learned she had secured a part for the production this summer, having taken the leap to audition for the role of Éponine.
Anna readily admits to being a massive fan of the show, which is based on the acclaimed novel by Victor Hugo and set within the backdrop of 19th century France.
“The day I found out that I had got the part I couldn’t believe it.
“I told my mum and dad. The next day the tickets were out, and they were straight on buying them for everyone,” she said.
It promises to be a historic performance.
‘Les Misérables’ is usually only performed by professional musical theatre companies. However, special permission has been granted for the show to be performed by amateurs, as a way of marking its significant anniversary.
The project is called ‘Let The People Sing’ and will run from March through to August; with 11 community-wide productions to be staged in cities across the UK. The Belfast performances will take place in early March.
Anna said she has always loved the musical and its songs, and in particular the film version of it.
“When I was younger, for my first singing exam – I was 11 or 12 – I sang ‘Castle on a Cloud’ from ‘Les Mis’. I have always loved it and loved the music. The songs are so strong and so memorable,” she explained.
Acknowledging that its story “is strong too,” Anna said once she learned that the show was coming to Belfast she instantly knew she had to audition – and that she only had one role in mind, that of Éponine.
“It was the only part that I put my name down for,” Anna said.
“She is the character that I like the most, but she is also the character that I look like and sound like.
“She goes through a lot. Her song ‘On my own’ is my favourite and it suits me better singing-wise. It is a real belter of a song and is quite difficult.”
The auditions were, as Anna put it, “huge.”
Outlining the lengthy process, Anna said it entailed a series of auditions and call backs.
“I think there were 100 girls who went for my part. It was cut down and cut down. The last time I had to go it was cut down to eight,” she explained.
Acknowledging the process was challenging, Anna continued: “That experience was completely new to me. The only musical theatre that I have done is with the Glees. It was a big step up from that.
“The way it works is that you go in with a group of girls, eight girls at a time, and you have to watch everyone perform as well. And then get up and do it in front of them.
“Then there was the panel, which was a big panel. There was the choreographer, the director, the music director and other people who were overseeing it. So it was quite nerve-wracking.”
Anna, who works as a singing teacher with Mourne Stars, as well as tutoring singing, was well equipped for the situation.
“I am a laid-back sort of person. I am okay with nerves. I just remind myself just to go for it as I only had one shot, and not to worry about nerves or anyone in the room.”
She also explained that she was surprised, happily, to get several call-backs – three in total.
“Every time, I thought ‘seriously?’
“When I got to the final audition, we were told that we were going to find out the next day. I thought to myself, ‘I am so glad that I tried this’. But I did not think that I would have got it at all.”
Anna has an idea as to why she was selected for the role.
“My strength is my singing. ‘Les Misérables’ is all about singing. It obviously has acting as well. The singing part is really important. So my singing carried me through,” she added.
The cast wasn’t finalised till August. It is double cast which means that Anna and another girl will split the days that they perform across the six performances.
Rehearsals are already in full swing.
“It is quite full on. It is a bit more serious. It is ‘go, go, go’. Because it is in The Grand Opera House there is pressure for it to be professional.”
Anna is very excited about these shows.
“It will be the first time that I have performed in Belfast.
“It will definitely be the biggest audience I will have performed in front of, so I don’t know how I will react to that. I am sure it will be daunting, but I am sure I will be fine.”
As Anna is the only person int he cast from this area, she has received a lot of local support.
“Everyone has been congratulating me,” she continued.
“Since it came out that I am in the show I have had great support and had so many people buy tickets. It is lovely that people want to support me.”
Anna has been part of the Junior Glees since from age nine until she was 15, and then stopped because of schoolwork, returning last year to the senior Glees.
“The Glees are delighted for me and are very supportive. They have got their tickets, and they are buzzing.
“The Glees have helped me so much. The Glees got me into musical theatre and have helped me a lot. It is a great wee community to be in.”
Anna will star in the evening production of ‘Les Misérables’ on Wednesday, 5 March; in addition to the Friday (7 March) matinee show and the following evening’s production.
