A sell-out production of one of the world’s best-loved musical sees 73 students from Barton Peveril College and local schools is currently storming the barricades at the Theatre Royal, Winchester.

The college is performing the schools edition Les Misérables (June 25-27) which is every bit as powerful as the original.

Based on the classic novel by Victor hugo the show follows the trials and tribulations Jean Valjean, known as Prisoner 24601, who is released from prison and breaks parole to create a new life for himself while evading the grip of the persistent Inspector Javert. Set in post-revolutionary France, the story comes to climax against the background of the June Rebellion of 1832.

Barton Peveril won the Daily Echo Curtain Call Best Youth Ensemble Award for its 2014 production of Cabaret. This latest offering continues the college’s tradition of staging a major end-of-year musical in a professional theatre environment.

Sharing the stage with the college students are 18 pupils from Kings’, Wyvern, Swanmore, Wildern and Thornden secondary schools together with three younger actors from Horndean Junior, Halterworth and Whiteley primaries.

Music is provided by a 20-piece orchestra backed by an equal number of production team and crew.

Praising the cast’s commitment throughout six months of rehearsals, director Gemma Witcomb said: “The casting process was so exciting and the final decisions were some of the hardest we’ve ever had: the sheer volume of passionate, talented students auditioning for each part was astounding.

“Tickets sold out two months in advance and we had to open up the final dress rehearsal to meet demand. Les Mis inspires a deep and enduring love in so many people!”

To be in with a chance of taking up any returned tickets, call the Theatre Royal Box Office on 01962 840440.