Twins play lead roles in Les Misérables school production

Hugo and Elliott Gregg, both 18, played Valjean and Javert in Magdalen College School’s (MCS) production of the iconic musical.

The school has been rehearsing throughout the academic year, beginning online during the second lockdown and continuing in person when pupils returned in March.

Hugo described the production as ‘an almost perfect end’ to his time at MCS.

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He said: “It’s been incredible to be part of such an ambitious production, especially with all the additional challenges this year, and a real dream come true for me.

“I’d say it’s an almost perfect end to nearly a decade of time here, I got hugely emotional after both nights of the show.

“Drama has been such an important part of my life at MCS, from being drowned by a sixth former aged 11 in Macbeth, to fighting on the barricades last week.

“Sadly it is now time to move on, I’ll see where the future takes me and I certainly hope to take every opportunity that comes up at university.”

The twins in action. Picture: Magdalen College School

Twin brother Elliott joked it was good to get revenge on Hugo, after murdering him in Romeo and Juliet in December.

“Les Misérables was a massively enjoyable experience, having the routine of rehearsals at the end of each week got me through the second lockdown and my A level exams as well.

“This really was the perfect way to round off a school experience that for me has been defined by my contributions to school music and drama.

“I suppose I had to let Hugo get his revenge this time after murdering him in Romeo and Juliet in December [Hugo played Mercutio while Elliott took on the role of Tybalt].

“My future aspirations lie more in the direction of choral singing at university and beyond, although I hope to keep up the acting wherever I can during the next three years.”

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As the show couldn’t run without an audience, it was filmed so families could watch from home.

Alex Thomas, director of drama at MCS, said: “Les Misérables is the most ambitious production we’ve ever staged at MCS, especially given the current limitations.

“The rehearsal process began with online sessions and the filming process was very complicated.

“It was all the more important, therefore, that we had some exceptional actors and singers to take on the leading roles.

At the end of the performance. Picture: Magdalen College School

“The Gregg twins have been stalwarts of the MCS stage since they arrived at the school and have worked with a number of professional directors through our theatre academy.

“Valjean and Javert are iconic characters and two of the most challenging in musical theatre but the boys rose magnificently to the challenge and gave incredibly professional and moving performances.

“Hugo and Elliott have contributed a massive amount to MCS drama over the years and will be sorely missed.”