A special performance of a sell-out play has been given the thumbs up by some of the Island's harshest critics -- schoolchildren.

More than 200 middle school students packed out Hamilton's Civic Hall to watch a special matinee performance of the hit play `Les Miserables', performed by the Bermuda Gilbert and Sullivan Society.

The cast and production crew agreed to put on the extra performance especially for children after a mystery benefactor bought up 200 of the $30 tickets and donated them to public schools. Tickets for all other performances have already sold out.

As the curtain came down on the show the young audience rose to give the cast a standing ovation which lasted several minutes.

And it was no surprise when many students left the auditorium claiming to be hooked on the magic of the theatre.

DEVIN Sullivan, 9, from Bermuda High School for Girls, said: "I thought it was wonderful -- I loved the singing and dancing. I didn't really know anything about the story before and I hadn't been to a play like this before but I loved it.'' Hannah Collins, 10, from Spice Valley Middle School, agreed.

"I thought it was really, really wonderful,'' she said. "I liked the part of the innkeeper best, he was really funny, but I got a little scared when the gun shots were going off. My mom had seen it and she told me some of the story. I thought it was really good.'' Jordan Johnson, 11, from Whitney Institute said: "It was fun because it had guns in it. I want to go again.'' And fellow Whitney student Isha Douglas, also 11, said: "Everything looked so real especially the part when they got shot, but you could tell that the people were still breathing. It's the first time I've been to a play like this -- of course I'll be coming again.'' SPICE Valley Middle School teacher Jody Webb believes the show will benefit her pupils in a number of ways.

"I can remember going to see The Pirates of Penzance when I was their age and it had a big impression on me,'' she said.

"I thought today's performance was very professional. I think the children benefited in a number of ways. Obviously there's some historical references with the French Revolution but I think more importantly there's the cultural benefit. So many children now want to come back to the theatre again -- you are never too young to be introduced to this.'' OMMUNITY and Cultural Affairs Minister Sen. Yvette Swan, who was seeing the show for the second time, said: "I was really impressed by the children's behaviour and the way they became a part of the play.

"I don't think it was alien to them at all. It's a historical type of play and I know some of the teachers spoke to them about it before today.

"The response to the singing and acting was super. Last night I thought to myself `what if nobody turns up?' but today the theatre was completely full and after the intermission they all came back so they must have enjoyed it.

"I am hoping that we can do something like this again as it shows that we can all work together to improve everyone's cultural outlook. I would really like to thank our donor and also all the actors. This wasn't a scheduled performance but when I spoke to them they said they were doing it for the children.'' She added: "It was magnificent and you could see that the children obviously enjoyed it. It was great that they were able to come along.''