We always knew that Musical Theatre could change lives and the guys and gals of Batley and Spen Youth Theatre Company know it more than most! The company, from the heart of the area represented by the late Jo Cox, are putting on a performance of her favourite show LES MISERABLES in her honour, to raise funds for the project and awareness of the values Jo stood for.
Led by established West End director Nick Evans, the group will perform a work in progress piece MORE IN COMMON, devised by the company themselves based on themes and ideas valued by Jo Cox MP, followed by the LES MISERABLES schools edition in the evening. The show has backing and donations have flooded in from West End figures and #StageFaves heroes and will be performed this August in Batley.
This summer, a once-in-a-lifetime event will take place in the heart of Batley. HEAR THE PEOPLE SING is a new project to celebrate Jo’s passion for togetherness, collaboration, comradeship and theatre. It will bring a revolutionary experience to young people in the town and show the rest of the world that Batley really is, in Jo’s words “No nonsense and proud”.
Award-winning director Nick Evans will lead 120 young people from this diverse West Yorkshire community over 3 weeks of residential teaching and rehearsals to professionally stage Jo’s favourite musical, LES MISERABLES, and a new piece called More in Common, devised by the young cast to celebrate her values. In addition to the shows, the local community will have the chance to work with West End creative and production teams as part of a production skills training scheme.
Performances will take place at Oxfam’s textile sorting house, Wastesaver, a venue that Jo visited as an MP and a charity that she worked for early in her career.
Thanks to all of those who are generously supporting these performances, especially Sir Cameron Mackintosh, who has granted the rights to perform LES MISÉRABLES School Edition along with practical and financial support and to Oxfam for the pop-up venue.
“The performance of Les Mis at the heart of Jo’s constituency using local school children will be something she would have been very proud of. It is very touching and well thought out and our family would like to thank all involved.” - Kim Leadbeater, Jo Cox’s sister
Director Nick Evans has worked on some of the biggest shows of the decade – including BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, the JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR stadium tour and the current international tour of MARY POPPINS.
Executive Producer and arts management consultant Donna Munday has most recently worked on such stellar shows as HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, FUNNY GIRL starring Sheridan Smith, and HAMLET starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
Tracy Brabin was elected as the Labour Co-operative MP for Batley & Spen in October 2016 following the murder of Jo Cox. A respected politician, actress and television writer, Tracy is best known for her role in Coronation Street.
