Cameron Mackintosh announced today casting for the exciting new cast of Boublil and Schönberg’s LES MISÉRABLES at the newly restored Sondheim Theatre, when the theatre re-opens on 18 December 2019 following its major renovation.

Jon Robyns will play ‘Jean Valjean’, Bradley Jaden ‘Javert’, Gerard Carey ‘Thénardier’, Carrie Hope Fletcher ‘Fantine’, Shan Ako ‘Eponine’, Harry Apps 'Marius', Josefina Gabrielle ‘Madame Thénardier’, Ashley Gilmour ‘Enjolras’ and Lily Kerhoas ‘Cosette’. Rachelle Ann Go will return to the role of ‘Fantine’ for 7 weeks in the Spring and will take over the role next Summer.

They will be joined by Kelly Agbowu, Ciarán Bowling, Richard Carson, Rodney Earl Clarke, Matthew Dale, Matt Dempsey, Harry Dunnett, Jessie Hart, Cellen Chugg Jones, Jessica Joslin, Sarah Lark, Georgie Lovatt, Ellie Ann Lowe, Luke McCall, Leo Miles, Claire O’Leary, Shane O’Riordan, Kathy Peacock, Sam Peggs, Mark Pearce, Emma Warren, Sake Wijers, Mared Williams and Samuel Wyn-Morris.  

Cameron Mackintosh said today “As Les Mis enters its 35^th year in London, I am thrilled that we have found a brilliant and exciting cast to open my new production at the Sondheim theatre , many of whom were not even born when the show first opened! I am particularly delighted that Jon Robyns will be leading the company as Jean Valjean. Jon originally  played the role of Enjolras when I first produced this new production in 2010. He also starred in Avenue Q for me in the West End and is currently having a huge success as King George in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace. His Inspector Javert will be played by Bradley Jaden, who is currently a sensational Enjolras in the sell out staged Concert version of Les Mis next door at the Gielgud Theatre having previously played Javert to great acclaim at the Queen’s. Other current stars of the Concert who will be reprising their show stopping roles at the Sondheim are Carrie Hope Fletcher as Fantine and West End newcomers Shan Ako and Lily Kerhoas as Eponine and Cosette. I am delighted to announce that Rachelle Ann Go, one of the incredible stars of both the Original and current London cast of Hamilton and a previously acclaimed Fantine, will return to this role for 7 weeks in the Spring before taking the role over from Carrie Hope Fletcher next Summer. The irresistibly grasping Thénardiers will be in the hilarious hands of Gerard Carey and Josefina Gabrielle. I last worked with Gerard when he portrayed the scene stealing photographer in my recent production of Half a Sixpence and Josefina who starred in my productions of Carousel, Witches of Eastwick and Oklahoma! opposite Hugh Jackman. It’s terrific to be reunited with Ashley Gilmour as Enjolras – after his recent success playing Chris in my international tour of Miss Saigon. It is a testament to Víctor Hugo’s timeless masterpiece and Boublil & Schönberg’s brilliant musical adaptation that Les Misérables continues to attract such stellar talent to the world’s longest running musical.

Jon Robyns can currently be seen playing King George in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre. His many other credits include creating the roles of Princeton and Rod in the London production of Avenue Q. He has played Marius and Enjolras in Les Misérables on stage at the Queen’s Theatre in London and the 25^th Anniversary International Tour respectively, as well as taking part in the 25^th Anniversary Concert at the O2. His West End credits also include Spamalot at the Harold Pinter and Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre.   

Bradley Jaden is currently playing Enjolras in the concert of Les Misérables at the Gielgud Theatre, a role he played in the 30^th anniversary cast of the show at the Queen’s Theatre. Bradley recently played Javert in the final cast of the musical at the Queen’s Theatre. His other credits include 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 on ITV and Sugar Rush on Channel 4.

Gerard Carey originated the role of Robertson Ay in Mary Poppins and played James Walsingham and the Photographer in Half A Sixpence, both at Chichester Festival Theatre and the Noël Coward Theatre. His other credits include A Christmas Carol for the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Jungle at the Playhouse Theatre, Master Class at the Vaudeville Theatre and the national tour of Shrek The Musical. 

Carrie Hope Fletcher is currently playing the role of Fantine in the concert of Les Misérables at the Gielgud Theatre. She previously played Eponine in the show at the Queen’s Theatre. Her many other credits include starring in Heathers at both The Other Palace and the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Carrie has also appeared in the Arena Tour of The War of the Worlds and the UK tour of The Addams Family. 

Rachelle Ann Go is currently playing Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, a role she has played since the show opened in London. Rachelle played Gigi in Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre in 2014, a role she reprised when the show opened on Broadway in 2017. She has also played Fantine in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre. 

Carrie Hope Fletcher will play Fantine from 18 December 2019 until 29 February 2020 and then again from 20 April 2020 until 25 July 2020. Rachelle Ann Go will play the role from 2 March 2020 until 18 April 2020 and then again from 27 July 2020.

Shan Ako is currently playing the role of Eponine in the concert of Les Misérables at the Gielgud Theatre where she made her West End debut. She recently graduated from the Brit School.

Josefina Gabrielle was most recently seen as Velma Kelly in Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre. Her many other West End credits include Olivier nominated performances in Sweet Charity, Merrily We Roll Along and as Laurey in Oklahoma! She has also played Roxie in Chicago at the Adelphi theatre, Irene Molloy in Hello Dolly! at Regent’s Park and Mrs Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. 

Ashley Gilmour recently played the lead role of Chris in the International tour of Miss Saigon. He also appeared in the West End production at the Prince Edward Theatre. His other theatre credits include Link Larkin in the national tour of Hairspray. 

Lily Kerhoas is currently playing the role of Cosette in the concert of Les Misérables at the Gielgud Theatre where she made her West End debut

Since Cameron Mackintosh first conceived this acclaimed new production of LES MISÉRABLES in 2009 to celebrate the show’s 25^th anniversary it has taken the world by storm. It is the only version of the show produced by Cameron Mackintosh that has been seen around the world, in the last ten years, having enjoyed record-breaking runs in Australia, Japan, Korea, France, Spain, Dubai, Manila, Singapore, Brazil, Mexico, Broadway and two North American tours. The current American tour continues to play across the United States with dates announced up to May 2020. The show is currently on tour throughout the UK and Ireland playing to sell out business, with dates already announced until November 2020.

As rehearsals begin for Les Misérables -The Staged Concert, Cameron Mackintosh introduces Shan Ako and Lily Kerhoas who complete the principal casting as Éponine and Cosette respectively.  They join the previously announced Michael Ball as Javert, Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Fantine, Matt Lucas as Thénardier, Rob Houchen as Marius, Bradley Jaden as Enjolras, Katy Secombe as Madame Thénardier and, for three performances a week, John Owen-Jones as Jean Valjean.

This spectacular staging of the legendary concert, with a company of over 65, will run from 10 August – 30 November 2019 at the intimate Gielgud Theatre, next door to the home of Les Misérables at the recently re-named Sondheim Theatre, previously the Queen’s.

The company also includes Rosanna Bates, Adam Bayjou, Ciaran Bowling, Simon Bowman, Oliver Brenin, Earl Carpenter, Vinny Coyle, Samantha Dorsey, Tamsin Dowsett, Nicola Espallardo, Celia Graham, Barnaby Hughes, Holly-Anne Hull, Oliver Jackson, Christopher Jacobsen, Gavin James, Will Jennings, Ciaran Joyce, Katie Kerr, Sarah Lark, Joanna Loxton, Craig Mather, Stephen Matthews, James Nicholson, Rosa O’Reilly, Claire Parrish, Sophie Reeves, Grainne Renihan, Leo Roberts, Raymond Walsh, Gemma Wardle and Andrew York. 

Les Misérables‘’ much celebrated score includes the songs I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more.

Les Misérables is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel with additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.

Produced on stage by Cameron Mackintosh, Les Misérables is the world’s longest running musical now in its 35^th year in London.  Produced on screen also by Mackintosh (along with Working Title and Universal), Les Misérables is now the most successful movie of an original stage musical.  The new production of Les Misérables, with a separate company, is currently on a sold-out international tour which has recently been extended to Autumn 2020.

Cameron Mackintosh today (6 February 2019) announces that for 16 weeks only Michael Ball (Javert), Alfie Boe (Jean Valjean), Carrie Hope Fletcher (Fantine) and Matt Lucas (Thénardier) will lead a large cast and orchestra of over sixty-five in the concert version of Les Misérables.  Katy Secombe also joins to play Madame Thénardier and for three performances a week, the role of Jean Valjean will be played by John Owen-Jones.  Further casting will be announced shortly.

This spectacular staging of the legendary concert, previously seen in London at the Royal Albert Hall and the O2 Arena, will run from 10 August – 30 November 2019 at the intimate Gielgud Theatre next door to the current home of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre.  Public booking opens at 12noon (GMT) on Thursday 7 February 2019.

Cameron Mackintosh said:  “The success of Les Misérables continues to amaze me and break new ground.  Despite the fact the show continues to play to 95% capacity we have been obliged to close the production at the Queen’s Theatre for 16 weeks this Autumn to do much needed work.This includes restoring the ceiling plasterwork and the auditorium, adding many more lavatories, as well as carrying out major renovations backstage, which haven’t been touched since the 1940s. The theatre was heavily damaged during World War II and has never been properly restored and brought up to modern standards.”

“Les Misérables is the only musical ever that has been equally successful on stage, film, in concert and in the classroom.  Its spectacular staged concerts are legendary successes, just as popular as the stage show.  I am thrilled that the plan to keep Les Misérables running in London with a staged concert version on Shaftesbury Avenue during the enforced closure period has attracted such a stellar cast, with Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, John Owen Jones, Matt Lucas and Katy Secombe, who all have a very close personal connection to the history of the show. Of course I am a bit miserable that Michael, the gorgeous young actor that created the student Marius in the original production, is now for the first time old enough to play the implacable inspector Javert, an amazing match for Alfie’s career defining portrayal of Jean Valjean.”

“I know fans are in for a unique and amazing experience from our huge Company who will be performing in the glorious intimate theatrical space of the Gielgud Theatre

Produced on stage by Mackintosh, Les Misérables is the world’s longest running musical now in its 34^th year in London.   Its celebrated score includes the songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more.  Produced on screen also by Mackintosh (along with Working Title and Universal), Les Misérables is now the most successful movie of an ‘original’ stage musical.

The Original London production currently at the Queen’s Theatre (following runs at the Barbican and the Palace Theatre) will play until 13 July 2019 when the theatre will then close for four months of rebuilding work both backstage and in the auditorium as well as adding many much-needed new lavatories to the front of house.  This work will also restore architect W.G. Sprague’s original boxes and loges which, along with the entire front of house, were destroyed by a bomb in 1940 and caused the theatre to be closed for 20 years.  The restored Queen’s Theatre will reopen in December of 2019 with a new production of Les Misérables continuing its phenomenal run indefinitely, with a new West End company being put together now.

The new production of Les Misérables, with a separate company, is currently on a record-breaking international tour, sold out a year in advance through to January 2020 which has now been extended to Autumn 2021.  Box office for the additional dates will open shortly.

LES MISÉRABLES, the World’s longest running musical produced by Cameron Mackintosh, continues its astounding success into its 34^th year, confounding the British critics who dismissed it when it first opened.

The acclaimed New production was created for the show's 25th Anniversary in the UK in 2009 and has gone on to enjoy huge success around the world all over again, including returning to Broadway. The New touring production which has just opened to rave reviews in Dublin has already taken a record-breaking advance of over £30 million with most dates sold out until January 2020, including Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Plymouth. There are just a few seats remaining in Milton Keynes, Bradford, Newcastle and Liverpool.

Southampton goes on sale early in February and details of further UK and European dates will be announced shortly.

The Original 1985 production of LES MISÉRABLES can now only be seen at the Queen’s Theatre, London where it continues its record-breaking run, still playing to 95% capacity and nightly standing ovations. It previously played at the Barbican and Palace Theatres.  The recent Christmas weeks broke all box office records at the Queen’s.

LES MISÉRABLES and THE LION KING are the most financially successful productions in the history of the West End. Last year this production distributed a further 280% return of profit, giving the original investors a total return of over 3500% on their original investment - an unprecedented feat for any musical in its fourth decade.

LES MISÉRABLES has been performed in 52 countries and 22 languages and won over 100 international awards. The combined audience for the show and the Academy Award winning film is 120 million people. The film is one of the 10 biggest movie musical box office successes of all time.

The Original London production at the Queen’s Theatre will play until 13 July 2019.  The theatre will then close for four months of rebuilding work both backstage and in the auditorium as well as adding many much-needed new lavatories to the front of house. This work will restore architect W.G. Sprague’s original boxes and loges which, along with the entire front of house, were destroyed by a bomb in 1940 and caused the theatre to be closed for 20 years.

The restored Queen’s Theatre will reopen in December of 2019 with the New production of LES MISÉRABLES, continuing its phenomenal run indefinitely.  A brilliant company is now being put together and bookings will open in February.

While the Queen’s Theatre is being restored, LES MISÉRABLES will continue in performance on Shaftesbury Avenue with exciting plans being announced shortly for a four-month season at the Gielgud Theatre from the end of July 2019.

In America, the current tour of the New production, which is playing major cities across the US and Canada until 2021, continues to play to 95% attendance and has grossed over $250million at the box office to date.

Cameron Mackintosh said “I am continually amazed that LES MIS in its fourth decade continues to break new ground and new records. The show’s astonishing success is tribute to the story’s power to move and inspire which is at the heart of both the original novel and the musical. Tomorrow will always come for LES MIS!”

Victor Hugo would have been amused by the social media storm created by the BBC’s “song-free” adaptation of the novel and thrilled that when NOTRE DAME DE PARIS, the musical version of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame returns to London later this month at the Coliseum (frequent home to his other much revived musical hit RIGOLETTO), he will have two musicals running in the West End!