Cameron Mackintosh has announced 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.”
“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.”
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.
