Les Misérables

Victor-Marie Hugo was one of France's most distinguished writers - a poet, dramatist and novelist. Les Misérables is one of his most famous works and has been adapted many times for stage and screen.

Synopsis
After Jean Valjean is released after spending 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread, he is a bitter and desperate man. Due to the kindness of a Bishop, he is able to turn his life around. Eventually he rises to become the Mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer and a factory owner. Unfortunately, he has also broken his parole and Javert, a policeman, is after him. As one of his workers, Fantine, is about to die, Valjean promises to take care of her daughter, Cosette. After Valjean purchases Cosette from the money-grubbing Thenardiers (where she had been lodging), the show moves 9 years to the future where Cosette has become a woman. With the French Revolution ensuing, Cosette falls in love with a student revolutionary, Marius. After a battle, Marius falls unconscious in the sewer of Paris. Before Valjean dies, he is able to save Marius so that Marius and Cosette can be wed...

Les Misérables the Musical: Adapted from a novel by Victor Hugo. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Les Misérables is by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg. It features music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer.

Facts and Performers

"Les Miserables" had its first performance at the at the Barbican Theatre in London Oct. 8, 1985, and moved to the Palace Theatre in the West End on Dec. 4, 1985. It's 18-year run at the Palace ended on March 27, 2004 and was re-opened at the Queen’s Theatre April 2004.

"Les Miserables" had its American premiere at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in December 1986. It opened on Broadway on March 12, 1987, at the Broadway Theatre and moved to the Imperial Theatre on Oct. 17, 1990, to make way for "Miss Saigon."

In 1995 the show's 10th anniversary celebarations were held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. One of the finalés was a performance of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" sung a line at a time by 17 Jean Valjeans, singing in many of the different languages in which the show has been performed.
On June 22, 2002, "Les Miserables" became the first Broadway musical to ever play in China at the Shanghai Grand Theatre.

A special perfomance of "Les Mis" was staged at Windsor Castle for the Queen and the royal family after her banquet given for President Chirac, November 18, 2004. Michael McCarthy sang the role of Javert; Michael Ball sang the role of Valjean.

After 16 years the Broadway company of "Les Miserables" closed on May 18, 2003, at the Imperial Theatre - -

Randal Keith was the last actor to play Jean Valjean on Broadway before it closed

Michael McCarthy was the last actor to play Javert on Broadway before it closed.

John Owen-Jones, originally from South Wales, became the youngest actor, at 26, ever to play Valjean at the Palace Theatre.

Hans Peter Janssens returned to London to play Javert, June 26, 2006 and he will be one of the few people worldwide who has played both leading roles.

On its 21st birthday on 8 October 2006, it overtook Cats to take the West End record for the longest-running musical.

Some of the performers from past UK productions
Principal roles:
Valjean:
- Dave Willets
- Hans Peter Janssens
- Jeff Leyton
-Robert Marien
- Sean Kingsley
- Stig Rossen
Javert:
- Michael McCarthy
- Peter Corry
- Tim Morgan
- Philip Quast
Fantine:
- Grania Renihan
- Silve Paladino
Eponine:
- Frances Ruffelle
- Gemma Wardle
- Sophia Ragavelas
Enjolras:
- Glyn Kerslake
- Jason McCann
- Jody Crosier
- Matthew Cammelle
Marius:
- Mario Frangoulis
- Hadley Fraser
Cosette:
- Annalene Beechey
Thenardier:
- Cammeron Blakely
- Chris Langham
- Stephen Tate
Mdme Thenardier:
- Mandy Holliday