Let The People Sing Les Miserables 40th anniversary community project announced Cameron Mackintosh and his music rights business Music Theatre International (MTI) have announced new initiative "Let The People Sing", a UK-wide amateur theatre project celebrating the 40th anniversary of Boublil and Schönberg's long-running musical Les Misérables. Taking place from March to August 2025, the project will see 11 community-wide productions of Les Misérables: Let The People Sing being mounted in cities across the United Kingdom. The show, which has never previously been made available to amateur groups in the UK, and staged in: Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Norwich, Porthcurno (Cornwall) and Swansea. 11 amateur societies will act as lead producers in each venue, but will work in collaboration with other local groups to produce the best possible community-wide productions of the show. Groups will also have the support and guidance of the show’s West End and international associate creative teams as they prepare their non-replica, original productions of the show. Casting for all 11 productions will be via open casting calls, details of which will be released by the local groups. Cameron Mackintosh said in a statement: “The phenomenon of Les Misérables continues to break new ground, just as Victor Hugo’s novel has since it was first published in 1862. The world’s longest running musical was first made available to students under 19 (in an edited schools' edition) in 2002, to mark the bicentennial of Victor Hugo’s birth. As we approach the extraordinary landmark of the 40th record-breaking year of the iconic musical’s London run, alongside countless productions around the world, we are delighted to invite 11 of our leading amateur companies in the UK to stage, for the first time, the entire show in their own productions. This will involve many hundreds of amateur performers around the country, becoming part of our own yearlong celebrations. The success of this much-loved musical was famously made by the public - not the early critics - so what better way to enjoy this unprecedented event, than Let the People Sing!” Sean Gray, Managing Director of MTI’s London office said: "MTI cherishes our amateur theatre companies. They bring our musicals to the whole country, including to towns and areas not regularly visited by national touring productions. They nurture and develop talent in a unique and invaluable way, as well as providing opportunities for everyone who loves performing and making theatre to be a part of productions on all the country's stages. Many of the great shows live on in amateur productions, often decades after their initial productions in the West End or on Broadway. Although we have been able to license thousands of productions of Les Misérables School Edition to schools and youth groups, the remarkable success of the West End production in London and on tour means it hasn't been possible to offer the show to our major amateur companies. But for one year, we are thrilled to have this opportunity to invite amateur theatre companies across the UK to produce eleven local productions, which we hope will be genuine local community projects. We already know how much excitement the project will generate, and we are really looking forward to guiding everyone towards a great national amateur celebration of Les Misérables in 2025 to mark the 40th anniversary of the London production. Let the people sing!" The critically acclaimed production of Les Misérables continues to play at the Sondheim Theatre, and celebrates its 40th anniversary next year. Cameron Mackintosh has also launched a huge arena world tour for Les Mis to celebrate its 40th, with the Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular taking place in venues across the UK, and globally. Book tickets to Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre in London Les Miserables: Let The People Sing - 2025 Productions GRAND OPERA HOUSE, BELFAST4 – 8 March 2025 GRAND THEATRE, LEEDS3 – 12 April 2025 KING’S THEATRE, GLASGOW23 – 27 April 2025 MINACK THEATRE, PORTHCURNO25 – 30 May 2025 THEATRE ROYAL, NOTTINGHAM27 – 31 May 2025 THE ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM10 – 14 June 2025 NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL2 – 6 July 2025 LIVERPOOL EMPIRE3 – 5 July 2025 GRAND THEATRE, SWANSEA10 – 19 July 2025 BRISTOL HIPPODROME12 – 16 August 2025 THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON13 – 23 August 2025
Les Miserables remastered movie announces UK, US and international release dates The 2012 movie version of international hit musical Les Miserables has been digitally remastered, and will be released in cinemas in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand this Valentine's Day, 14 February 2024. In the US, the film with be released exclusively in AMC Theatres for one week only from 23 February 2024; in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on 22 February; in Spring 2024 in South Korea, Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark; and August 2024 in Japan. This is the first time that the film will be released in Dolby Cinema, featuring the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos and visuals of Dolby Vision. The film has also been remixed by Tom Hooper, Cameron Mackintosh, Lee McCutcheon, Stephen Metcalfe and Andy Nelson. Watch the Les Mis movie trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu_jevEupBg Directed by Tom Hooper, the movie version of Boublil and Schönberg's show picked up three Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Anne Hathaway for her portrayal of Fantine, Best Achievement in Sound Mixing and Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling, and was produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Working Title Films and Universal Pictures. The movie stars Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman (The Greatest Showman), Oscar- winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind), Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada), Oscar nominee Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia!), Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl, The Theory of Everything), Tony winner Aaron Tveit (GREASE Live!), Frozen The Musical star Samantha Barks, Oscar nominees Helena Bonham Carter (Sweeney Todd) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Hugo, Borat). Director Tom Hooper and producer Cameron Mackintosh said in a joint statement: "It's hard to believe that it is already over 10 years since our musical film of Les Misérables opened to become one of the most successful movie adaptations of a stage musical of all time. We are delighted that to mark the occasion. Universal Pictures is re-releasing a re-mastered version of the film, with a major remix of tracks in Dolby Atmos and a remaster of the entire picture in Dolby Vision; coming to select cinemas." Les Miserables will celebrate its 40th Anniversary in London's West End in 2025. Producer Cameron Mackintosh has also announced a major new arena tour, with Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular playing venues in the UK and internationally in 2024 and 2025. Book tickets to Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre in London Bradley Jaden to return to Les Miserables covering for Stewart Clarke West End star Bradley Jaden is set to return to the cast of Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre for two weeks only. Bradley Jaden, who is currently starring in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre until Saturday, will play the role of Javert from 15 to 27 January 2024. Jaden is covering for regular Javert Stewart Clarke, who will return to the role on 29 January 2024. In November it was announced that Killian Donnelly (The Phantom of the Opera) would be returning to Les Miserables to play Jean Valjean, taking over from Josh Piterman who has returned to Australia. Donnelly is expected to play Jean Valjean to February 2024. Bradley Jaden has previously played Javert in Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, and in the final cast of the musical at the Queen’s Theatre. He also starred as Enjolras in the concert staging of the production at the Gielgud Theatre. His other West End credits include appearing in the Gala cast of Old Friends at the Sondheim Theatre, Fiyero in Wicked at the Victoria Apollo Theatre, the UK tour of Ghost The Musical, Shrek The Musical at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and Stiles and Drewe’s Peter Pan at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. His TV credits include Emmerdale, Sugar Rush and EastEnders. The show also currently also stars Katie Hall as Fantine, Will Callan as Marius, Amena El-Kindy as Éponine, Lulu-Mae Pears as Cosette, Luke Kempner as Thénardier, Claire Machin as Madame Thénardier and Djavan van de Fliert as Enjolras. The company is completed by Annabelle Aquino, Hazel Baldwin, Brad Barnley, Michael Baxter, Emily Olive Boyd, Rosy Church, Ben Culleton, Matthew Dale, Matt Dempsey, Sophie-May Feek, Matt Hayden, Tom Hext, Christopher Jacobsen, Jessica Johns-Parsons, Yazmin King, Sam Kipling, Anouk van Laake, Harry Lake, Sarah Lark, Ellie Ann Lowe, Ben Oatley, Adam Pearce, Jordan Simon Pollard, Jonathan Stevens, Phoebe Williams and Ollie Wray. Les Miserables is currently booking to September 2024. It is London's - and the world's - longest-running musical, and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025. The musical is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. Book tickets to Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre in London
Killian Donnelly to cover for Josh Piterman in Les Miserables West End actor Killian Donnelly is returning to Les Miserables later this month, playing Jean Valjean. He will be covering for current Jean Valjean, Josh Piterman, who is having to return to Australia. Piterman's last performance will be on 21 October 2023, with Donnelly then playing the role from 31 October 2023 for 15 weeks. Josh is expected to return to the show in February 2024, A statement on behalf of producer Cameron Mackintosh said that Piterman is having to return to Australia for "sudden family reasons". The show also currently stars Stewart Clarke as Javert, Katie Hall as Fantine, Will Callan as Marius, Amena El-Kindy as Éponine, Lulu-Mae Pears as Cosette, Luke Kempner as Thénardier, Claire Machin as Madame Thénardier and Djavan van de Fliert as Enjolras. The company is completed by Annabelle Aquino, Hazel Baldwin, Brad Barnley, Michael Baxter, Emily Olive Boyd, Rosy Church, Ben Culleton, Matthew Dale, Matt Dempsey, Sophie-May Feek, Matt Hayden, Tom Hext, Christopher Jacobsen, Jessica Johns-Parsons, Yazmin King, Sam Kipling, Anouk van Laake, Harry Lake, Sarah Lark, Ellie Ann Lowe, Ben Oatley, Adam Pearce, Jordan Simon Pollard, Jonathan Stevens, Phoebe Williams and Ollie Wray. Killian Donnelly in Les Miserables. Photo by Matt Crockett Killian Donnelly returns to Les Mis having played Jean Valjean in the original West End production and the sell-out UK and Ireland tour of Les Misérables. He first joined the company of Les Misérables in 2008, going on to play the role of ‘Enjolras’ from 2009 to 2011. He also played ‘Courfeyrac’ in the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables at The O2 Arena. Killian was most recently seen as ‘Bruce Bechdel’ in Fun Home at Gate Theatre Dublin, and other credits include playing ‘The Phantom’ in The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre, ‘Charlie Price’ in Kinky Boots on Broadway and in the West End, ‘Huey’ in Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre, ‘Deco’ in The Commitments at the Palace Theatre and ‘Tony’ in Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Les Miserables recently extended its run in London, and is now booking to September 2024. It is London's - and the world's - longest-running musical, and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025. Earlier this week, the initial dates and venues were announced for Mackintosh's new Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular world tour, which will see a new version of the show travel to arenas and large theatres in the UK and Europe. The musical is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. Book tickets to Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre in London Les Miserables and Hamilton extend in London – now booking to September 2024 Cameron Mackintosh has announed the West End productions of Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre and Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre will extend to September 2024. Tickets are now available for bookings to Saturday 28 September 2024. Les Miserables currently stars Josh Piterman as Jean Valjean, Stewart Clarke as Javert, Katie Hall as Fantine, Will Callan as Marius, Amena El-Kindy as Éponine, Lulu-Mae Pears as Cosette, Luke Kempner as Thénardier, Claire Machin as Madame Thénardier and Djavan van de Fliert as Enjolras. Adding to the drama, last nights performance of Les Miserables was forced to end early when Just Stop Oil protestors climbed onto the stage and produced flags. The delay to the show forced producers to cancel the rest of the performance with ticket holders offered and full refund or voucher.a The London production of Hamilton stars Declan Spaine in the title role of Alexander Hamilton, Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Aaron Burr, Ava Brennan as Angelica Schuyler, Shan Ako as Eliza Hamilton, Simbi Akande as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, Dom Hartley-Harris as George Washington, Lemuel Knights as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Emile Ruddock as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Jake Halsey-Jones as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton and Joel Montague as King George III. At certain performances the role of Alexander Hamilton will be played by Alex Sawyer. Book Les Miserables tickets at the Sondheim Theatre Book Hamilton tickets at the Victoria Palace Theatre
Watch: Britain’s Got Talent & The West End – Les Miserables, The Wizard of Oz, We Will Rock You The West End met Britain's Got Talent last week, as three big West End shows appeared on the ITV talent show during it's final week. BGT's grand finale yesterday, Sunday, 4 June 2023, saw Norwegian Viggo Venn crowned winner of the series, scooping the £250,000 prize and a guest spot on this year's Royal Variety Performance. Also during last night's show, long-running West End musical Les Miserables performed in front of the studio audience and millions watching at home, including a rousing chorus of Do You Hear The People Sing? from the cast of the show; and previous BGT winner Susan Boyle performed a duet with current Les Mis star, and former X Factor contestant, Lucie Jones, singing I Dreamed A Dream. I Dreamed A Dream was the song that catapulted Susan Boyle to global stardom in 2009, and despite recently suffering from a minor stroke, Boyle did an impressive job of duetting with West End star Lucie Jones, who has also appeared in big-hitting West End shows such as Wicked and Waitress. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lczd08VLfWk And that wasn't all the West End excitement this week! On Friday, the cast of forthcoming London Palladium show The Wizard of Oz performed on BGT. It was our first opportunity to see Jason Manford in costume as Lion, along with Ashley Banjo as Tin Man, and Louis Gaunt as Scarecrow. The show's Dorothy, Georgina Onuorah, also gave an amazing performance of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. This spectacular new production of The Wizard Oz, which includes the much-loved original songs from the movie plus new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber, starts at the London Palladium on 23 June 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnrV1TKhvHk On Tuesday, the cast of We Will Rock You performed live on the show, with Brenda Edwards as Killer Queen, Lee Mead as Khashoggi, Ian McIntosh as Galileo Figaro, Elena Skye as Scaramouche and Ben Elton as The Rebel Leader. Ian McIntosh led incredible performances of We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions from the hit Queen musical. We Will Rock You has started its run at the London Coliseum, but is only playing to 27 August 2023 and tickets are selling fast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgkAKWNhBF4 Britain's Got Talent is hosted by Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly, and the judges are Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli. Book tickets to Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre in London Book tickets to The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium Book tickets to We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre
