One of the most famous musicals of all time made a welcome comeback to the Gaiety Theatre stage this weekend, when the Manx Operatic Society opened their production of Les Miserables.

Telling an epic and sprawling tale of love, redemption and revolution, Les Miserables is a bombastic and tear-jerking show of mammoth proportions, and the local cast clearly gave their all in recreating some of the iconic roles, made famous in the recent films and TV shows.

Alex Toohey and David Artus both put on heavyweight performances as the main protagonists, the noble Jean Valjean and the policeman Javert, and their combative scenes together were laced with a terrific fiery energy as both characters battled the demons of their past lives.

Kristene Sutcliffe also gave a fabulous and genuinely heart-breaking performance as the tragic Fantine, and she wrenched every ounce of emotion out of her stunning renditions of ’I Dreamed a Dream’.

Dandi Dancox was just as heart-breaking as Eponine, and her scenes with Marius, played by Jack Munro, were beautifully handled, and dripping in desperation and unfulfilment.

As the story moved through the years, the impressive stage was transformed into a tavern, where Mark Dougherty gave a terrific performance as a genuinely nasty Thenardier, along with an uproarious rendition of Master of the House, and David Lyons was rousing and charismatic as the revolutionary Enjolras.

The chance to take part in such a show as Les Miserables isn’t one that comes around often, but the cast, crew and the impressive orchestra have all thrown themselves into their roles.

Les Miserables continues at the Gaiety Theatre until Saturday, March, 16, and, with a show of this scale, ambition and quality, this really is one show you should not miss.