Meet the Cast: Laura Anna-Mead from Les Misérables

Q1: What drew you to Jonathan Holloway’s adaptation of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables?

I’ve always been interested in investigating Les Misérables away from the musical we all know so well. Once I’d been offered the part, I started reading the original novel – there really is so much more to the story than I thought and I think getting into the grittier side of it against the backdrop we have chosen will be really interesting.

Q2: Can you introduce us to the  character(s) you will be playing?

I am playing both Fantine and her daughter Cosette – both in her younger and later adult years. Fantine hails from a brighter past but, having been abandoned by her lover, is forced into poverty and struggles to raise Cosette on her own. Cosette ventures on a huge journey throughout the story; suffering abuse and neglect before she is later rescued and shown kindness and love.

Q3: Are there particular scenes or moments that have been especially challenging or rewarding for you?

Playing a Mother and then later her daughter has been quite special; I’ve enjoyed discovering more about the Mother-Daughter bond and how our Mothers occasionally inspire who we (as daughters) become. We are a cast of six, so investigating how we can seamlessly move from one character or plot-point into another has occasionally been challenging but ultimately rewarding.

Q4. Has your view of the story changed since working on this production?

This production is, in my opinion, grittier. Darker. It resonates deeply with the original novel by Victor Hugo. I’ve also found myself feeling more sympathetic towards characters in the story and the motives behind their actions.

Q5. What are you looking forward to about performing at the Roman Theatre in St Albans?

I’m looking forward to playing against whatever the weather gives us! Of course, we’d love it to be sunny and dry, but I think that a bit of rain could add some real atmosphere to the show.