Newry performer on "surreal" experience playing leading lady in first amateur production of Les Misérables

"I realise now how lucky I am to have a life that I truly love"

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All eyes are on Belfast this week, as for the first time in its 40-year history, Les Misérables will be performed by amateur theatre companies across the UK.

Leading the way in this landmark premiere is the Belfast Operatic Company who are taking the role as the lead producer of Les Misérables: Let the People Sing.

They are working alongside St Agnes’ Choral Society, Ulster Operatic Company and the Grand Opera House Trust to bring the historic production to life at the Grand Opera House this week.

With a cast of 70 and a completely sold-out run, this is BOC’s biggest project in its 65-year history, a fitting celebration for the company’s milestone anniversary in Northern Ireland’s amateur theatre scene.

Performer Anna-Maria Boyle from Newry is taking on the leading role of Cosette - one of the most sought-after roles in musical theatre.

No stranger to the stage, having performed as Christine in Phantom of the Opera last year and set to take on the role of Maria in the upcoming production of The Sound of Music, Anna-Maria is excited to be part of history as Les Mis takes to the iconic NI stage.

She said: " It’s a bit surreal - when I think back to the audition process, I remember crossing my fingers hoping I’d make it in.

"As each stage of the audition process advanced, I told myself I had done so well to get as far as what I had at that point.

"Now that I’m here, actually playing the role, it’s crazy to think back to where this all started. I can truthfully say I never thought I’d be involved in such a historic production like this one.

"We are the very first company to perform this iconic show during its 40th anniversary year celebrations. I don’t think I’ll ever reconcile that in my brain."

Having seen the show "more times than she would admit", Anna-Maria is ready to put her own spin on the iconic role and is ready to show a new side to Cosette.

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With the show already sold out, when asked how she feels about being in one of NI's most anticipated productions, she joked: " Is terrified an acceptable answer."

"Nerves are good, but excitement is even better. It’s encouraging to have such a creative production team and an amazing cast to perform with, I know that with the calibre of creatives and performers we have working on this project, it’s going to be something really special."

Performing since she was four years old, Anna-Maria is also a freelance singing teacher and has been thrilled to be able to turn her passion into a career.

She continued: "For a very long time, I only considered this a hobby. A couple of years ago, I was working in a job I totally hated because I thought I had to.

"After a particularly bad week, I came home to my mum in floods of tears, not knowing where to turn. She, along with my auntie and uncle, convinced me that this 'hobby' of mine was the answer to my happiness.

"Mothers are always right - hortly after that, I joined BOC and landed my dream role and that cemented the realisation that I had made the right choice choosing my passion over what I thought was security.

"There is now never a morning that I wake up dreading the day ahead, and I realise now how lucky I am to have a life that I truly love."

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With some of the biggest leading lady roles under her belt, the sky is the limit for Anna-Maria.

"I’d always dreamed of playing Maria in West Side Story, failing that, my top 5 is always changing. Eliza Doolittle is up there, as is Narrator in Joseph, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, Anya in Anastasia.

"The answer to this question constantly evolves – So you really never know!"

You can see Anna-Maria perform as Maria in The Sound of Music later this year - find out more here

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