Amateur Actors Shine on Royal Variety Stage

Three amateur dramatic performers from Northern Ireland found themselves center stage at the Royal Albert Hall, a stark contrast to their everyday professions. Karl McGuckin, a barrister; Samuel Moore, a university lecturer; and Boyd Rogers, a primary school teacher, were unexpectedly chosen for prominent solo roles in the 40th anniversary celebration of Les Misérables at the Royal Variety Performance. This remarkable opportunity stemmed from Cameron Mackintosh's "Let The People Sing" project, which granted amateur groups performance rights for the iconic musical.

Initially selected for a mass chorus of over 300 participants, McGuckin, Moore, and Rogers were later surprised to learn they would perform solos. McGuckin and Rogers featured in a rendition of "Stars" alongside West End figures like Michael Ball, while Moore sang "Bring Him Home" with other Jean Valjeans. The Belfast production, which concluded in March 2025, served as the launching point for this unexpected professional engagement, marking a significant return to the stage for Moore after a nine-year hiatus.

The performers described the experience as "surreal" and "mental," expressing gratitude for the supportive environment created by the production company and fellow actors. Advice from seasoned professionals, such as Michael Ball's tip to focus on the audience's embrace, helped ease the daunting prospect of performing on such a grand scale. This experience, initially thought to be in their "back mirror" after the March 2025 Belfast show, became an "immensely fortunate" event for the amateur trio.