Amara Crutcher and Isabella Howard are sharing the role of little Cosette, Alexander Ford-Chilvers and Samuel Stephens the role of Gavroche and Katelyn Davidson and Chloe Hicks the young Éponine.

They are performing in teams and will alternate shows. Named Team Red and Team Black, more details of their performances are on the Manning Entertainment Centre website.

Nine-year-old Amara describes little Cosette as a poor sad orphan slave who gets treated badly but who “gets rescued by Jean Valjean and is happy”.

From Port Macquarie, Amara has performed in numerous eisteddfods, with a lot of success, and is currently a member of the Conservatorium Mid North Coast Choir which has performed with Opera Australia in Madame Butterfly and with renowned violinist Ian Cooper in ‘An Afternoon at the Proms’.

She is a choir member in Aladdin Junior, performed at the 2017 Leukemia Light the Night Fundraiser and enjoys performing in school concerts and events. 

Amara has enjoyed being part of Les Misérables and making new friends. She likes the acting and singing as well as learning new skills and techniques. 

Isabella, from Tinonee, is nine and has been dancing for seven years, performing solos for four.

Taking singing lessons for the past three years, she was invited to perform at the Taree and District Eisteddfod’s 50th anniversary grand concert and the Spotlight on Taree Arts Council showcase concert.

She has enjoyed making lots of new friends from the Les Misérables cast and learning about the work that goes into putting together a stage show.

“Cosette is a young girl who is sad, lonely, sick and not cared for,” said Isabella of her character.

“She dreams of having someone to love her. She is kind and grows up beautiful and brave in the care of Jean Valjean.”

Ten-year-old Alexander Ford-Chilvers from Port Macquarie has an extensive resume for someone so young.

“When I was young I was an elf in Christmas parades and shows all around Sydney, the Gold Coast and in Disneyland for Dick Van Dyke’s 90th birthday celebrations. I even got to drive my own little elf car in the parades.

“I’ve also been in a lot of speech and drama eisteddfods and stage shows. I was in Bye Bye Birdie and Puss in Boots at Players Theatre in Port Macquarie. This is the first time I’ve done a show with Taree Arts Council.”

When it comes to Les Misérables he has enjoyed “meeting new people and learning new stuff I didn’t know, and learning new songs and music. That’s why I choose the theatre as my home.”

He describes Gavroche as “an independent, smart, cunning, heroic, powerful street urchin”.

Samuel is nine-years-old and from Taree. His vocal performance experience has been through productions with Stacey Lee’s Centre Stage as well as at Taree and District Eisteddfod.

He’s enjoying his time working on Les Misérables, especially making new friends and having fun.

Samuel describes Gavroche as a “cheeky street boy who is nine-years-old.

“He is a very street-wise little rascal,” he said.

“I love that I can sing and dance with people who love performing as much as me,” said 10-year-old Katelyn Davidson.

“I love hearing the orchestra and think Les Misérables is amazing. Now that we are in the Manning Entertainment Centre it’s really cool to see the lights and props all together.”

Katelyn has sung in three grand concerts of the Taree and District Eisteddfod and also won the nine years musical theatre section at Sydney Eisteddfod. She has appeared as young Fiona in Shrek Jnr the musical, performed with Kamahl and was a soloist at the Wingham Carols.

She has been dancing for the past six years, taking singing lessons for three years and has a lot of eisteddfod experience. For the past five years Katelyn has performed at the Joeys Annual Festival of the Performing Arts, winning various trophies.

She is enjoying the role of young Éponine. “She wears a beautiful blue dress and hat and is very spoilt and sneaky. She is from a family of thieves and helps her mother and father steal from people in their inn.”

Ten-year-old Chloe Hicks from Old Bar loves to sing all the time.

“I’ve really enjoyed all the rehearsals singing with everyone.”

For three years she has sung at the Taree Carols as well as a few different fundraiser events around the Manning. “I also love to busk with my friends.”

She said it’s been a great experience to be a part of this production.

“I have met lots of beautiful people and made heaps of friends. I play young Éponine and her character is very sneaky and likes to help her mum and dad steal from people. It’s a very fun role to play.”

Les Misérables is on at the Manning Entertainment Centre from November 2 to 18. 

Tickets from www.themec.com.au, phone 6592 5466 or at the customer service desk at Stockland Forster.

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