As previously announced, Trevor Nunn and John Caird's legendary original London production of the iconic Les Miserables – Musical will be ending its historical long run after almost 35 years in London's West End this Summer. Following it's final performance on July 13th, 2019, the first and last standing original production (yup, known for the famous onstage turntable) that played to packed houses in London since 1985 will have played over 15,000 performances.
However, LES MISERABLES is not exactly leaving London just yet. The musical's London home at the Queen's Theatre (where it played there since 2004 transferring from London's Palace Theatre) will be going through a 4 month renovation. The renovation of the Queen's Theatre will consist of the redoing the lobby (including more bathrooms), backstage and of course the auditorium. The biggest part of the project will be the restoring the original box seats, and loges (designed by architect W.G. Sprague). The initial design was destroyed by a bomb back in 1940 which caused the Queen's Theatre to be shut down for 20 years. Following the renovation, the show will reopen at the Queen's Theatre on December 18th, 2019 but with Cameron Mackintosh Ltd's acclaimed new production that was initially created for LES MIZ's 25th Anniversary (directed by Laurence Connor) that is still playing all around the world. This new production features an incredible mix of old and new elements including a little bit of some familiar costumes, new staging, and a full new set inspired by the paintings of the original novel's author himself… Victor Hugo all projected on a LED screen. It will also include a new cast plus reworked orchestrations.
Meanwhile during the interim of the original production's closing and the new production revival's opening while the Queen's Theatre is being renovated, LES MISERABLES will be performed as a staged concert production in the West End for a strictly limited 16 week engagement beginning August 10th, 2019. This concert presentation will be performed at London's Gielgud Theatre (right next door to the Queen's Theatre) featuring a full cast and an onstage 65 piece orchestra. The cast will include an exciting all-star lineup of talents who are no strangers to being a part of the iconic musical consisting of….
International tenor Alfie Boe reprising his legendary performance of PRISONOR 24601 himself "Jean Vailjean" (a role that made him a worldwide star from his performance in the musical's 25th Anniversary concert at London's The O2 Arena. He went on to play the role in the original production at the Queen's Theatre and the 2014 Broadway revival),
Olivier Award winner and iconic West End star Michael Ball OBE (who originated the role of "Marius" in the original 1985 production and played the same for the 10th Anniversary Royal Albert Hall) this time taking on the role of the cruel "Inspector Javert",
West End favorite Carrie Hope Fletcher (who began her career with the musical playing "Little Eponine" at the Palace Theatre and then "Adult Eponine" at the Queen's Theatre for the show's 30th Anniversary and most recently the new production during a tour stop in Dubai) this time take on the role of the impoverished factory worker dealing with hell herself "Fantine",
British Stage and Screen comedic star Matt Lucas reprising his scene stealing performance as the sleazy MASTER OF THE HOUSE himself "Thernadier" (a role he played in the 25th Anniversary concert at London's The O2 as well as the Queen's Theatre),
Katy Secombe reprising her performance of "Madame Thernadier" (a role she's been playing on and off at the Queen's Theatre since 2012),
Rob Houchen reprising the role of the heartthrob and romantic revolutionary student "Marius" (a role he played at the Queen's Theatre back in 2013),
and Bradley Jaden reprising the role of revolutionary leader "Enjolras" (a role he's played at the Queen's Theatre back in 2015).
In West End star and the musical's longest star himself John Owen-Jones will severe as the alternate "Jean Vailjean" playing the role 3 times a week. For Jones, he remains as the youngest actor in the show?s history to have played the iconic role at age 26 on the stages of both the Palace Theatre and the Queen's Theatre. He also was the first to play the role in the newly staged version of the show for its 25th Anniversary tour in 2010 and can be heard as "Jean Valjean" on the Les Mis?rables Live! album. In addition, he played the role twice on Broadway… both the 1st revival (the remounting of the original staging) at the Broadhurst Theatre and the 2nd and recent revival (the new 25th Anniversary production) for the closing cast at the Imperial Theatre
Additional casting will be announced soon.
Who is excited?
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