SIR — Having already fallen in love with the story and music of Les Miserables through the film, I was looking forward to the student stage production at the Regal Theatre, Minehead. My daughter and I went with friends on the first night and by the interval we had both decided that we had to see it again. I was literally blown away. The quality of the voices, the acting, the smoothness of the set change, the music, it was all simply amazing.  The play flowed and I was drawn in for three hours of pure escapism, lost in the music and the emotion.  It was so professional it could easily compete with a West End show. We returned on the final night to enjoy it all over again and when Dan Boulton, the lead character, sang 'Bring Him Home' it was electrifying.  The show was spellbinding, magical and a privilege to watch. I am only sad that I won't be seeing it again! I hope this will be a stepping stone for some of these young performers to go on to greater things and that the whole production team get the recognition they so deserve. Superb! Jane Feast, Dugdale Street, Minehead.

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SIR — Having attended the last night of Les Miserables at the Regal Theatre and witnessed an excellent show. I need to applaud the cast for the best show I have seen in the 18 years I have lived in West Somerset. I have seen many shows but none can match the excellence of the fantastic talent of the young people in West Somerset - eight nights of over 400 paying theatregoers who without exception gave the cast an encore of nearly ten minutes. Dan Boulton was exceptional as Jean Valjean and Dan Ross at the tender age of 14 mastered the role of Monsieur Thernadier, showing the excellent levels of professionalism of the youth of the community college and West Somerset. The future is safe with the youth of West Somerset. Well done, a great show, thank you for your great ability to deliver a superb show - as was said, "Better than the West End". Bryan and Sarah Leaker, The Parks, Minehead.

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SIR — I watched the last night of the school production of Les Miserables at the Regal Theatre in Minehead and I have to say they put on a brilliant show. The talent of these young people was outstanding. The acting and singing ability was simply breathtaking. A full house of, I guess, a partisan crowd of many parents, family and friends only added to the atmosphere. The orchestra were on the money too, making it a superb evening. The standing ovation at the end was well deserved, I have never been to a show at the Regal like it. Everyone involved should be very proud of themselves and roll on the next production! John Skilton, College Close, Minehead.

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SIR — Minehead you've done it again,courtesy of the Regal Theatre and a wonderful cast of youngsters.  We have just returned from seeing one of the most thrilling and spectacular shows we have seen at the theatre during our 12 years in the town.  It was hard to believe that we were watching young people perform such a difficult show, both musically and technically, to such a high standard. All credit to director Sarah-Jane Cross, musical director Joseph Buckler and everybody involved in the production.  We are so fortunate to have so many talented people from Minehead and the surrounding area, including Danielle Waterman, who was in the victorious English Women's Rugby World Cup team and is a former member of West Somerset College. Jean and Eric Jones, Carlton Court, Minehead.