BEV Jones, the doyen of York musical producers, is putting on Les Miserables School Edition in only ten days, from start to finish.

The first rehearsal was held last Sunday, followed by sessions from Tuesday to Friday this week and Monday to Friday next week, ahead of the show opening on April 20 at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York.

“After auditions last November, when 136 young people turned up in York from all corners of North Yorkshire, we were able to cast the full show on the understanding that everyone was available for the entire two-week Easter holiday period,” says Bev.

“That was an essential part of the process and resulted in a hugely talented cast of 40, aged generally between 16 and 19, with the odd exception for speciality roles.”

Bev’s thinking behind the rehearsal programme was that a concentrated schedule would focus the mind. “Young people have an immense capacity for learning and absorbing information,” he says.

“The knowledge is retained and not allowed to go stale, due to the short timescale of the full process.”

Bev last staged Les Miserables School Edition four years ago, and many cast members from that show form the backstage and production team this time, such is their love of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg’s musical.

Since the Northern Musical Theatre Company Youth Section production in 2007, the criteria laid down by Les Mis producer Cameron Mackintosh has changed once again.

“Now the requirement is for ten performances, with the same age limitation of 19 years and under, plus the insistence that the theatre must hold no more than 500 seats,” says Bev. “So the Joseph Rowntree Theatre was our obvious choice – and might we say a favourite choice – and the result is unique, as we’re now able to offer both a Saturday and Sunday matinee and evening performance.

“As the Saturday matinee is almost sold out already, we hope the Sunday show offers scope for more audience members who prefer a visit to the theatre during daylight hours.”

Bev’s “professional-scale production” runs from April 20 to 27, and features a new Les Miserables set with telescopic barricade and a full orchestra. Evening performances start at 7.30pm and the two matinees at 2.30pm; tickets are available from the Theatre Royal Box Office, 01904 623568, online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or on the door, with concessions for seniors, children and parties.