Upping the game for 10 year anniversary show

And with more than 200 costumes and a similar number of props, all evidence shows that she has certainly pulled out all the stops for Les Miserables, which runs from tomorrow until Saturday at Queensbury School in Dunstable.

The young cast are focused, hugely talented and passionate – not just about the production, but about theatre in general.

And two of the young main players are already West End stars.

Little Imogen Gurney, of Lockington Crescent, Dunstable, has previously played Brigitta in the Sound Of Music – both in London and on tour.

The 11-year-old Millvale School pupil graces the stage for Empire as Young Cosette tomorrow night.

Imogen is not the only West End veteran. Ben Houghton, 16, was part of the West End cast of both Les Miserables and Oliver. It is his first performance with Empire, in which he will play Grantaire.

But it is leading man Stuart Grey as Jean Valjean who is feeling the pressure, having only performed one half of the show before.

The 19-year-old said: “I played Jean Valjean originally in my school production.”

For Tara Patterson, of Jeans Way, it is a double celebration.

Tara, who plays Madame Thenardier, is celebrating her 10th and final show with the company, for at 19, she will be too old next year to take part.

“It’s strange because I’m the only one who’s been doing it for 10 years,” she said. “We have always been a professional company for a youth theatre company, as everyone wants to be here and loads of people want to do it as a career.”

Buy your seats now. Call the box office on 07946 657404 for tickets, priced £8 to £10.