Les Miserables celebrates 30th Anniversary

The West End's longest running musical, Les Misérables today celebrates its 30th anniversary in London's West End, where it is currently playing at the Queen's Theatre and booking to 1 October 2016.

The Cameron Mackintosh and Royal Shakespeare Company production first opened at the Barbican Theatre on 8th Oct 1985, before transferring to the Palace Theatre on 4 December 1985. After 19 years, the show transferred to the Queen's Theatre, where it opened on 3 April 2004 and continues to run to packed houses.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, audiences will be treated to a special gala performance where the current cast will be joined onstage by members of the original company and special guests in a unique finale. These are expected to include Colm Wilkinson, Roger Allam, Frances Ruffelle, Alfie Boe, John Owen-Jones and Gerónimo Rauch.

Les Misérables, about love and bravery in 19th century France during the revolutionary struggles, is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and music by Claude-Michel Schonberg, with original text by Alain Boublil and additional material by James Fenton. It is adapted and directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.

The show celebrated its 10th anniversary in 1995 with a concert performance at the Royal Albert Hall which included cast members such as Lea Salonga, Michael Ball and Judy Kuhn, along with a host of international performers from around the world performing in their native languages.

For the 25th anniversary, a new production was mounted at the O2 Arena in London featuring a new wave of performers including Matt Lucas and Nick Jonas.

The current London cast includes Peter Lockyer (Jean Valjean), Jeremy Secomb (Javert), Rachelle Ann Go (Fantine), Phil Daniels (Thénardier), Katy Secombe (Madame Thénardier), Carrie Hope Fletcher (Eponine), Zoë Doano (Cosette), Bradley Jaden (Enjolras) and Rob Houchen (Marius).

A new production of Les Misérables was conceived by Laurence Connor and toured the UK. This production went on to open on Broadway, where it continues to run at the Imperial Theatre.