Les Miserables on a grand scale

The musical Les Miserables, featuring brilliant songs created by Claude-Michel Shonberg and Alain Boublil, has thrilled audiences around the world since premiering on London’s West End in 1985.

A reimagined theatre version was staged 25 years ago and is still playing to capacity audiences, and producer Cameron Mackintosh has called up the stars of this London production as the lead performers for Les Miserables: The Arena Spectacular which is currently in Australia as part of a world tour.

And what a cast it is!

On opening night at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on May 14, Alfie Boe starred as Jean Valjean and Michael Ball excelled as his nemesis Javert (the tour has alternate performers in Killian Donnelly as Valjean and Bradley Jaden as Javert).

Comedian, TV and film star Matt Lucas plays Thenardier while veteran Australian music theatre performer Marina Prior is Madame Thenardier. Prior starred as Cosette in the original Australian production of Les Miserables.