Les Misérables - 10th Anniversary Concert
Based on the Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, the musical follows convict Jean Valjean as he endures hardship and finds love against a backdrop of tumultuous mid-nineteenth century France.
This page contains affiliate links and as an associate I may earn income from qualifying purchases.
Where to watch: DVD
Stage Production Notes
With an epic and luscious score by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil, Les Misérables began life as a French concept album.
Following a brief run at the Palais des Sports in Paris in 1980, Les Misérables was picked up by producer Cameron Mackintosh and translated into English. Trevor Nunn was bought on to direct, and the musical was workshopped and developed at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The lavish RSC production of Les Misérables opened at the Barbican Theatre in London on October 8, 1985. The cast featured Colm Wilkinson (Jean Valjean), Roger Allam (Javert), Patti LuPone (Fantine), Alun Armstrong (Thénardier), Susan Jane Tanner (Madame Thénardier), Frances Ruffelle (Éponine), Ian Tucker (Gavroche), Michael Ball (Marius), and David Burt (Enjolras).
Although the musical received negative reviews, audiences loved it, and the production transferred to the West End at the Palace Theatre in December, 1985.
Les Misérables was nominated for 4 Olivier Awards, including Best Musical. Patti LuPone was awarded Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Fantine.
After a try-out in Washington D.C. at the Kennedy Center, Les Misérables opened on Broadway on March 12, 1987. The production was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, winning 8, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Original Book, and Best Direction (Trevor Nunn).
Les Misérables, affectionately referred to as Les Mis (Les Miz for the American fans), quickly gained musical theatre cult status. It has been translated into over 20 languages, performed in 42 countries around the world, and is the longest running musical on the West End. Although now closed in New York, Les Misérables is the fifth longest running musical on Broadway.
To celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary, a special gala concert was held at Royal Albert Hall in London. The concert was described by Cameron Mackintosh as a “dramatic cantata rather than a fully staged production.” See Filmed Production Notes below for more info.
In 2004, the West End production transferred to the Queen’s Theatre.
The 25th anniversary of Les Misérables in 2010 was celebrated with three different productions in London: the Original Production at the Queen's Theatre, the re-staged 25th Anniversary production at the Barbican, and the 25th Anniversary Event at the O2 Arena. The simultaneous performances of different productions of the same show in one city was unprecedented. The 25th Anniversary Event was also filmed live.
A film version of the musical starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe was released in December 2012.
The original West End production ran for 34 years, making it the longest running West End musical. It closed in July 2019 to allow for renovations at the Queen's Theatre.
A new production (minus the famed turntable) opened at the newly named Sondheim Theatre on December 18, 2019 featuring Jon Robyns (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).
During the Queen’s Theatre renovations, the much celebrated concert version was reprised next door at the Gielgud Theatre for a limited 16 week performance run.
The West End production reopened at the newly refurbished Sondheim Theatre on December 18, 2019.
Stage Production Notes
With an epic and luscious score by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil, Les Misérables began life as a French concept album.
Following a brief run at the Palais des Sports in Paris in 1980, Les Misérables was picked up by producer Cameron Mackintosh and translated into English. Trevor Nunn was bought on to direct, and the musical was workshopped and developed at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The lavish RSC production of Les Misérables opened at the Barbican Theatre in London on October 8, 1985. The cast featured Colm Wilkinson (Jean Valjean), Roger Allam (Javert), Patti LuPone (Fantine), Alun Armstrong (Thénardier), Susan Jane Tanner (Madame Thénardier), Frances Ruffelle (Éponine), Ian Tucker (Gavroche), Michael Ball (Marius), and David Burt (Enjolras).
Although the musical received negative reviews, audiences loved it, and the production transferred to the West End at the Palace Theatre in December, 1985.
Les Misérables was nominated for 4 Olivier Awards, including Best Musical. Patti LuPone was awarded Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Fantine.
After a try-out in Washington D.C. at the Kennedy Center, Les Misérables opened on Broadway on March 12, 1987. The production was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, winning 8, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Original Book, and Best Direction (Trevor Nunn).
Les Misérables, affectionately referred to as Les Mis (Les Miz for the American fans), quickly gained musical theatre cult status. It has been translated into over 20 languages, performed in 42 countries around the world, and is the longest running musical on the West End. Although now closed in New York, Les Misérables is the fifth longest running musical on Broadway.
To celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary, a special gala concert was held at Royal Albert Hall in London. The concert was described by Cameron Mackintosh as a “dramatic cantata rather than a fully staged production.” See Filmed Production Notes below for more info.
In 2004, the West End production transferred to the Queen’s Theatre.
The 25th anniversary of Les Misérables in 2010 was celebrated with three different productions in London: the Original Production at the Queen's Theatre, the re-staged 25th Anniversary production at the Barbican, and the 25th Anniversary Event at the O2 Arena. The simultaneous performances of different productions of the same show in one city was unprecedented. The 25th Anniversary Event was also filmed live.
A film version of the musical starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe was released in December 2012.
The original West End production ran for 34 years, making it the longest running West End musical. It closed in July 2019 to allow for renovations at the Queen's Theatre.
A new production (minus the famed turntable) opened at the newly named Sondheim Theatre on December 18, 2019 featuring Jon Robyns (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).
During the Queen’s Theatre renovations, the much celebrated concert version was reprised next door at the Gielgud Theatre for a limited 16 week performance run.
The West End production reopened at the newly refurbished Sondheim Theatre on December 18, 2019.
Filmed Production Notes
The 10th anniversary concert was filmed live at Royal Albert Hall by HD Thames.
The VHS was released in the UK and the US in 1995. Footage from an unspecified stage production was inserted into the concert footage.
PBS’ Great Performances aired the concert on March 1, 1996.
The VHS, along with a DVD version, was re-released in 1998.
The DVD was re-released in 2008, and again in 2012. The 2012 release by BBC Warner was a re-mastered version titled Les Miserables: 10th Anniversary Concert Special Edition. The re-release included new interview footage, a behind-the-scenes documentary, a commemorative booklet, and a replica ticket from the 1995 after-party.
Several reviewers claim the 10th anniversary concert to be the definitive recording of Les Miserables.
Les Miserables: 10th Anniversary Concert is available on DVD (as an Amazon affiliate I may earn from qualifying purchases made through this link).
The 25th Anniversary Event and 2019 Staged Concert are also available on DVD and to stream.
The 10th anniversary concert was filmed live at Royal Albert Hall by HD Thames.
The VHS was released in the UK and the US in 1995. Footage from an unspecified stage production was inserted into the concert footage.
PBS’ Great Performances aired the concert on March 1, 1996.
The VHS, along with a DVD version, was re-released in 1998.
The DVD was re-released in 2008, and again in 2012. The 2012 release by BBC Warner was a re-mastered version titled Les Miserables: 10th Anniversary Concert Special Edition. The re-release included new interview footage, a behind-the-scenes documentary, a commemorative booklet, and a replica ticket from the 1995 after-party.
Several reviewers claim the 10th anniversary concert to be the definitive recording of Les Miserables.
Les Miserables: 10th Anniversary Concert is available on DVD (as an Amazon affiliate I may earn from qualifying purchases made through this link).
The 25th Anniversary Event and 2019 Staged Concert are also available on DVD and to stream.
Les Miserables: 10th Anniversary Concert PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Royal Albert Hall, London
Producer: Cameron Mackintosh
Music: Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil
Lyrics: Herbert Kretzmer, original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel
Director: Ken Caswell, film: Paul Kafno
Musical Director:
Orchestrations: John Cameron
Scenic Design: John Napier
Costume Design: Adreanne Neofitou
Lighting Design: Patrick Woodroff and David Hersey
Sound Design: Richard Lienard and Andrew Bruce
Conductor: David Charles Abell
Cast:
Starring: Colm Wilkinson, Ruthie Henshall, Alun Armstrong, Michael Ball, Judy Kuhn, Philip Quast, Jenny Galloway, Lea Salonga, Michael Maguire, Anthony Crivello, Adam Searles, Jenny Galloway
Featuring: Hannah Chick, Craig Pinder, Mark McKerracher, James Staddon, Phil Cavill, Jeff Leyton, Halcro Johnston, Peter Polycarpou, Paul Monaghan, Jonathan Hart, Glyn Kerslake, Michael McCarthy, Nigel Richards, Chris Beck, Cathy Breeze, Rachel Spry, Sally Bourne, Jackie Marks, Shaun Kerrison, Graham Gill, James Powell, Beverley Klein, Juliet Alderdice, Rosemary Ashe, Valda Aviks, Mary Louise Clark, Lindsey Danvers, Sarah Jane Hassell, Lisa Hayden, Lisa Hull, Alison Jiear, Aline Mowat, Jayne O'Mahony, Fiona Sinnott, Gemma Wardle, Helene Witcombe, Andy Reiss, Jill Martin, Jacinta Whyte, Gareth Snook
Students: David Bardsley, Matt Cammelle, Jerome Pradon, Darryl Knock, Mike Sterling
Thenadier Gang: Keith Burns, Stephen Matthews, Tony Timberlake, Nick Holder, Christopher Howard, Lucy Evans, Ben Evans
Valjeans: Robert Marien, Jerzy Jeske, Takeshi Kaga, Vikdal Gyula, Tommy Korberg, Krzysztof Stasierowski, Henk Poort, Michael Burgess, Reinhard Brussmann, Rob Guest, Oystein Wiik, Jan Jezek, Kurt Ravn, Jeff Leyton, Egill Olafsson, Craig Shulman
Gavrouches: Paul Ballard, James Daley, Steve Ellis, Barry Findleton, Jeremy Levitsky, James Moran, Lucus Rush, Ricky Woodgate
with the The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Theatre: Royal Albert Hall, London
Producer: Cameron Mackintosh
Music: Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil
Lyrics: Herbert Kretzmer, original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel
Director: Ken Caswell, film: Paul Kafno
Musical Director:
Orchestrations: John Cameron
Scenic Design: John Napier
Costume Design: Adreanne Neofitou
Lighting Design: Patrick Woodroff and David Hersey
Sound Design: Richard Lienard and Andrew Bruce
Conductor: David Charles Abell
Cast:
Starring: Colm Wilkinson, Ruthie Henshall, Alun Armstrong, Michael Ball, Judy Kuhn, Philip Quast, Jenny Galloway, Lea Salonga, Michael Maguire, Anthony Crivello, Adam Searles, Jenny Galloway
Featuring: Hannah Chick, Craig Pinder, Mark McKerracher, James Staddon, Phil Cavill, Jeff Leyton, Halcro Johnston, Peter Polycarpou, Paul Monaghan, Jonathan Hart, Glyn Kerslake, Michael McCarthy, Nigel Richards, Chris Beck, Cathy Breeze, Rachel Spry, Sally Bourne, Jackie Marks, Shaun Kerrison, Graham Gill, James Powell, Beverley Klein, Juliet Alderdice, Rosemary Ashe, Valda Aviks, Mary Louise Clark, Lindsey Danvers, Sarah Jane Hassell, Lisa Hayden, Lisa Hull, Alison Jiear, Aline Mowat, Jayne O'Mahony, Fiona Sinnott, Gemma Wardle, Helene Witcombe, Andy Reiss, Jill Martin, Jacinta Whyte, Gareth Snook
Students: David Bardsley, Matt Cammelle, Jerome Pradon, Darryl Knock, Mike Sterling
Thenadier Gang: Keith Burns, Stephen Matthews, Tony Timberlake, Nick Holder, Christopher Howard, Lucy Evans, Ben Evans
Valjeans: Robert Marien, Jerzy Jeske, Takeshi Kaga, Vikdal Gyula, Tommy Korberg, Krzysztof Stasierowski, Henk Poort, Michael Burgess, Reinhard Brussmann, Rob Guest, Oystein Wiik, Jan Jezek, Kurt Ravn, Jeff Leyton, Egill Olafsson, Craig Shulman
Gavrouches: Paul Ballard, James Daley, Steve Ellis, Barry Findleton, Jeremy Levitsky, James Moran, Lucus Rush, Ricky Woodgate
with the The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sources
Books
Websites
Books
- Edward Behr, The Complete Book of Les Misérables, Arcade Publishing (1989)
- Thomas Riggs, Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television, Thomson Gale (2006)
- Jim Amos, “West End Smash ‘Les Miserables The Staged Concert’ Rocks U.S. Cinemas For Two Nights Only,” Forbes (Dec 2, 2019)
- Baz Bamigboye, “Les Miserables concert goes from filler to (live) thriller!” The Daily Mail (Oct 31, 2019)
- Michael Billington, “Twenty-five years on, they ask me if I was wrong about Les Misérables …,” The Guardian (Sept 21, 2010)
- BWW News Desk, “BBC to Release Special Edition DVD of LES MISERABLES 10th Anniversary Concert, 11/20,” BroadwayWorld (Nov 8, 2012)
- Todd Douglas Jr., “Les Miserables: 10th Anniversary Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall,” DVDTalk (Feb 19, 2008)
- M. Enois Duarte, “Les Misérables: The 25th Anniversary Concert,” High-Def Digest (Jan 8, 2012)
- Andrew Gans, “Watch Stars Come Out for Les Misérables Concert Opening Night Gala, Starring Michael Ball, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Alfie Boe,” Playbill (Aug 29, 2019)
- Andrew Gans
- “Les Misérables in Concert – The 25th Anniversary Event to Be Screened In U.S. Cinemas” Playbill (Oct 18, 2010)
- “Les Misérables in Concert – The 25th Anniversary Event Screened in U.S. Cinemas Nov. 17” Playbill (Nov 17, 2010)
- “Les Misérables in Concert – The 25th Anniversary Event Due on DVD Feb. 22,” Playbill (Feb 22, 2011)
- “Les Misérables in Concert – The 25th Anniversary Event Airs on PBS March 6,” Playbill (March 6, 2011)
- “New Dates Set for North American Broadcast of West End’s Les Misérables—The Staged Concert,” Playbill (Nov 12, 2019)
- Andrew Girvan, “Les Mis at O2 Broadcast to Cinemas, NT Expands,” What’s On Stage (Sept 29, 2010
- Blair Howell, “PBS celebrates 'Les Misérables' 25th anniversary,” Deseret News (March 3, 2011)
- Stegan Kyriazis, “Les Miserables staged concert with Michael Ball and Alfie Boe in 400 CINEMAS this weekend,” Express (Dec 6, 2019)
- Andrzej Lukowski, “Les Misérables – The Staged Concert,” Time Out (Sept 2, 2019)
- Cameron Mackintosh, “Creation of a Musical: The Musical Event of a Lifetime,” Official Les Misérables Website
- Lisa Martland, “Les Misérables: The Staged Concert - Gielgud Theatre,” Musical Theatre Online (Sept 6, 2019)
- National CineMedia Press Release, “Les Misérables Commemorates 25th Anniversary with Memorable Big Screen Tribute Concert Event Celebrating the Legendary Musical” National CineMedia (Oct 19, 2010)
- Thomas Peter, “Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert DVD Preview,” Playbill (Dec 4, 2010)
- Frances Ruffelle, “Les Misérables: The Triumph That Almost Wasn’t,” Huffington Post (June 12, 2012)
- Stage Door Dish, “How do the Anniversary Concerts of ‘Les Miserables’ compare to the 2012 movie?” Stage Door Dish (April 10, 2013)
- Anna Tims, “How we made Les Misérables,” The Guardian (Feb 19, 2013)
- West End Wilma, “REVIEW: Les Miserables The Staged Concert (Gielgud Theatre) ★★★★,” West End Wilma (Nov 12, 2019)
Websites
- Broadway World, “Les Miserables: 10th Anniversary Dream Cast (Special Edition) on Video - 2012,” Accessed via: https://www.broadwayworld.com/video/Les-Miserables10th-Anniversary-Dream-Cast--Special-Edition--1995
- Cameron Mackintosh, “Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert (1995)” Accessed via: https://www.cameronmackintosh.com/productions/view/les-miserables/les-miserables-10th-anniversary-concert-1995
- Les Misérables, “Concert: Cast and Creatives,” Accessed via: https://www.lesmis.com/concert/cast-creatives
- Les Miserables, “Facts and Figures,” Accessed via: https://www.lesmis.com/uk/history/facts-and-figures/
- Les Misérables, “News,” Accessed via: https://www.lesmis.com/london/news/page-1
- Les Misérables, “The All-Star Staged Concert,” Accessed via: https://www.lesmis.com/london/news/the-all-star-staged-concert
- Royal Albert Hall, “Our Performances History & Archive: Les Miserables in Concert - The Musical That Swept The World - Tenth Anniversary Concert,” Accessed via: http://catalogue.royalalberthall.com/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Performance&id=Ynahyseaf_Viod
- Royal Shakespeare Company, “Music On Stage,” Accessed via: https://www.rsc.org.uk/about-us/how-we-make-theatre/music
- The Hopeful Traveler, “Review: 'Les Misérables' The 25th Anniversary Concert in Cinemas,” (Nov 18, 2010) Accessed via: http://thehopefultraveler.blogspot.com/2010/11/review-les-Misérables-25th-anniversary.html
Written by Luisa Lyons (September, 2017, updated December 2019)