Audiences in Bury are set to be transported back to 19th Century France as a theatre group take on a smash hit musical.
The youth section of award-winning community theatre group PADOS will perform Les Misérables at The Met with the first show tonight, Wednesday, at 7.30pm.
The students, aged 12 to 18, will then play in the show at the same time tomorrow, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
And there will be a matinee show on Saturday at 2.30pm.
The musical, which boasts the longest West End run in history, features iconic songs including “I Dreamed a Dream”, “On My Own” and “Do You Hear the People Sing".
It follows the lives of Jean Valjean, a former convict seeking redemption, and his nemesis Inspector Javert, along with a range of characters seeking to survive and triumph against a backdrop of poverty and political unrest.
READ NEXT > Long-awaited skate park rolls into use to add 'another string to park’s bow'
Later in the spring Prestwich-based PADOS will return to The Met with the adult group’s production of Bonnie and Clyde.
Running from April 24 to 27, the musical is inspired by the infamous true story of American outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, and their notorious Great Depression-era crime wave.
The PADOS production of Bonnie and Clyde will be directed by Mark Rosenthal, a longstanding member of the group both on and off-stage. Mark is a professional theatre director who also runs his own production company, Forrest Rose.
With music by Tony nominee Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Tony and Oscar winner Don Black, and book by Emmy Award nominee Ivan Menchell, the West End version of Bonnie and Clyde was named “Best New Musical” at the WhatsOnStage Awards 2023.
READ NEXT > Care home head chef who 'elevates dining experience to art form' shortlisted
READ NEXT > Residents on this street celebrating after People's Postcode Lottery win
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts
Bonnie and Clyde's musical director is PADOS head of music, and director and head of service at Bury Music Service, Gemma Price.
The show’s contemporary score will be performed live by a professional band.
Claire Heywood, general secretary of PADOS, said, “Our musical productions at The Met are always a major highlight of our year, and the forthcoming shows are shaping up to be no exception.
"We are a community group open to all but we expect, and deliver, the very highest standards and I am incredibly proud of this year’s programme of shows.”
For tickets visit themet.org.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here