Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary
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 made through these links.
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. See Filmed Production Notes below for more info.
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.
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. See Filmed Production Notes below for more info.
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 25th anniversary concert at the O2 featured a cast of over 500 people, comprised of cast members from three different companies, student groups, and a mass choir. Over two performances on October 3, 2010, the concert was attended by over 32,000 people.
The evening performance was live streamed via satellite to over 200 cinemas in the UK and Europe. The live capture was re-broadcast the next day to allow for differences in time zones. The screening was viewed in Japan, Australia, and later in North America. Cinema audiences reportedly clapped and cheered, and gave standing ovations.
The DVD was released in February 2011. American television viewers were also able to watch the concert on PBS in March 2011.
Reviewer Don Groves, writing for the Australian SBS network, noted the live capture experienced some technical glitches, with “the sound dropping out at one point, several jerky camera shots, and the camera sometimes picking up a performer a beat or two after he or she started singing.”
As with the original production, fans raved about the live capture. One blogger described it as “one of the most exciting stage (or in this case, cinema) events of the year,” and several commented the capture felt like attending the actual event.
Les Miserables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary is available to stream on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, BroadwayHD, and on DVD and on Blu-Ray.
The 10th Anniversary and 2019 Staged concert productions are also available on DVD and to stream.
The 25th anniversary concert at the O2 featured a cast of over 500 people, comprised of cast members from three different companies, student groups, and a mass choir. Over two performances on October 3, 2010, the concert was attended by over 32,000 people.
The evening performance was live streamed via satellite to over 200 cinemas in the UK and Europe. The live capture was re-broadcast the next day to allow for differences in time zones. The screening was viewed in Japan, Australia, and later in North America. Cinema audiences reportedly clapped and cheered, and gave standing ovations.
The DVD was released in February 2011. American television viewers were also able to watch the concert on PBS in March 2011.
Reviewer Don Groves, writing for the Australian SBS network, noted the live capture experienced some technical glitches, with “the sound dropping out at one point, several jerky camera shots, and the camera sometimes picking up a performer a beat or two after he or she started singing.”
As with the original production, fans raved about the live capture. One blogger described it as “one of the most exciting stage (or in this case, cinema) events of the year,” and several commented the capture felt like attending the actual event.
Les Miserables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary is available to stream on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, BroadwayHD, and on DVD and on Blu-Ray.
The 10th Anniversary and 2019 Staged concert productions are also available on DVD and to stream.
Les Miserables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary PRODUCTION CREDITS
Opening Date: October 3, 2010
Closing Date: October 3, 2010
Air date: October 3, 2010
Medium: cinema
Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime, BroadwayHD, DVD, Blu-Ray
Theatre: O2 Arena, London
Producer: Cameron Mackintosh, Universal Pictures
Music: Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil
Lyrics: Herbert Kretzmer, original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel
Director: Laurence Connor and James Powell, Film: Nick Morris
Orchestrations: John Cameron, Christopher Jahnke, Stephen Metcalfe
Costume Design: Andreane Neofitou
Lighting Design: Patrick Woodroffe and Paule Constable
Sound Design: Mick Potter
Stage Manager: Simon Wood
Conductor: David Charles Abell
Cast:
Alfie Boe (Jean Valjean), Norm Lewis (Javert), Matt Lucas (Thenardier), Jenny Galloway (Madame Thernardier), Lea Salonga (Fantine), Samantha Barks (Eponine), Nick Jonas (Marius), Katie Hall (Cosette), Ramin Karimloo (Enjolras), Earl Carpenter (Bishop), Hadley Fraser (Grantaire), Mia Jenkins (Little Cosette), Chloe Panayi (Little Eponine), Robert Madge (Gavroche)
Ensemble
Jonathan Williams, Mike Sterling, Tom Pearce, Geronimo Rauch, Nic Greenshields, Tony Whittle, Graham Gill, Vanessa Lee Hicks, Jay Bryce, Rhidian Marc, Jeff Nicholson, Paul Westhead, Jon Robyns, Sophia Ragavelas, Gemma Wardle, Gina Beck, Emma Westhead, Grainne Renihan, Gary Watson, Antony Hansen, Jon Lee, Gillian Budd, Zoe Curlett, Sara Pelosi, Amanda Jane Salmon, Rhiannon O’Connor, Valda Aviks, Peter Polycarpou, Cameron Blakely, Jonathan Hart, Lydia Griffiths, Keith Burns, Stephen Tate, Phil Snowden, Tony Timberlake, Owain Williams, Killian Donnelly, Jamie Muscato, Edward Baruwa, Allistair Brammer, Lucie Jones, Rebecca Seale, Rosalind James, Madelena Alberto, Christopher Key, James Wren
Queen’s Theatre Company
Martin Ball, Rachel Bingham, Simon Bowman, Alistair Brammer, Chloe Brooks, Jay Bryce, A.J. Callaghan, Natalie Day, Keiran Donnelly, Scott Garnham, Lucy Gamoch, Spike Grimsey, Chloe Hart, Mark Stuart Hedges, Gavin James, Lucie Jones, Francesca Leyland, Daisy Maywood, George Miller, Brenda Morre, Martin Neely, Jeff Nicholson, Helen Owen, Rebecca Seale, Matthew Seadon-Young, Simon Shorten, James Smoker, Chris Theo-Cook, Emma Weathead, Jonathan Williams, Dylan Williams
Barbican Theatre Company
Madalena Alberto, Jonathan Alden, Ashley Artus, Michael Baxter, Ian Caddish, Earl Carpenter, Leigh Rhiannon Coggins, David Covey, Beth Davies, Victoria Farley, Gareth Gates, Christopher Jacobsen, Rosalind James, Luke Kempner, David Lawrence, Vanessa Leagh Hicks, Adam Linstead, Joanna Loxton, Peter Manchester, Rhidian Marc, Rebecca McKinnis, Carl Mullaney, Jamie Muscato, Gemma O’Duffy, Rosa O’Reilly, John Owen-Jones, Rhiannon Sarah Porter, Leighton Rafferty, Jon Robyns, Julie Stark, Laura Tebbutt, Owain Williams, Lynne Wilmot
Original 1985 Company
Danielle Askers, Roger Allam, Alan Armstrong, Michael Ball, Christopher Beck, Zoe Bright, Keith Burns, Rebecca Caine, Juliette Caton, Zoe Hart, Gary Huddlestone, Jackie Marks, Jill Martin, Sally Mates, Aline Mowat, Jayne O’Mahony, Craig Pinger, Peter Polycarpou, Sian Reeves, Frances Ruffelle, Oliver Spencer, Susan Jane Tanner, Ian Tucker, Colm Wilkinson
Opening Date: October 3, 2010
Closing Date: October 3, 2010
Air date: October 3, 2010
Medium: cinema
Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime, BroadwayHD, DVD, Blu-Ray
Theatre: O2 Arena, London
Producer: Cameron Mackintosh, Universal Pictures
Music: Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil
Lyrics: Herbert Kretzmer, original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel
Director: Laurence Connor and James Powell, Film: Nick Morris
Orchestrations: John Cameron, Christopher Jahnke, Stephen Metcalfe
Costume Design: Andreane Neofitou
Lighting Design: Patrick Woodroffe and Paule Constable
Sound Design: Mick Potter
Stage Manager: Simon Wood
Conductor: David Charles Abell
Cast:
Alfie Boe (Jean Valjean), Norm Lewis (Javert), Matt Lucas (Thenardier), Jenny Galloway (Madame Thernardier), Lea Salonga (Fantine), Samantha Barks (Eponine), Nick Jonas (Marius), Katie Hall (Cosette), Ramin Karimloo (Enjolras), Earl Carpenter (Bishop), Hadley Fraser (Grantaire), Mia Jenkins (Little Cosette), Chloe Panayi (Little Eponine), Robert Madge (Gavroche)
Ensemble
Jonathan Williams, Mike Sterling, Tom Pearce, Geronimo Rauch, Nic Greenshields, Tony Whittle, Graham Gill, Vanessa Lee Hicks, Jay Bryce, Rhidian Marc, Jeff Nicholson, Paul Westhead, Jon Robyns, Sophia Ragavelas, Gemma Wardle, Gina Beck, Emma Westhead, Grainne Renihan, Gary Watson, Antony Hansen, Jon Lee, Gillian Budd, Zoe Curlett, Sara Pelosi, Amanda Jane Salmon, Rhiannon O’Connor, Valda Aviks, Peter Polycarpou, Cameron Blakely, Jonathan Hart, Lydia Griffiths, Keith Burns, Stephen Tate, Phil Snowden, Tony Timberlake, Owain Williams, Killian Donnelly, Jamie Muscato, Edward Baruwa, Allistair Brammer, Lucie Jones, Rebecca Seale, Rosalind James, Madelena Alberto, Christopher Key, James Wren
Queen’s Theatre Company
Martin Ball, Rachel Bingham, Simon Bowman, Alistair Brammer, Chloe Brooks, Jay Bryce, A.J. Callaghan, Natalie Day, Keiran Donnelly, Scott Garnham, Lucy Gamoch, Spike Grimsey, Chloe Hart, Mark Stuart Hedges, Gavin James, Lucie Jones, Francesca Leyland, Daisy Maywood, George Miller, Brenda Morre, Martin Neely, Jeff Nicholson, Helen Owen, Rebecca Seale, Matthew Seadon-Young, Simon Shorten, James Smoker, Chris Theo-Cook, Emma Weathead, Jonathan Williams, Dylan Williams
Barbican Theatre Company
Madalena Alberto, Jonathan Alden, Ashley Artus, Michael Baxter, Ian Caddish, Earl Carpenter, Leigh Rhiannon Coggins, David Covey, Beth Davies, Victoria Farley, Gareth Gates, Christopher Jacobsen, Rosalind James, Luke Kempner, David Lawrence, Vanessa Leagh Hicks, Adam Linstead, Joanna Loxton, Peter Manchester, Rhidian Marc, Rebecca McKinnis, Carl Mullaney, Jamie Muscato, Gemma O’Duffy, Rosa O’Reilly, John Owen-Jones, Rhiannon Sarah Porter, Leighton Rafferty, Jon Robyns, Julie Stark, Laura Tebbutt, Owain Williams, Lynne Wilmot
Original 1985 Company
Danielle Askers, Roger Allam, Alan Armstrong, Michael Ball, Christopher Beck, Zoe Bright, Keith Burns, Rebecca Caine, Juliette Caton, Zoe Hart, Gary Huddlestone, Jackie Marks, Jill Martin, Sally Mates, Aline Mowat, Jayne O’Mahony, Craig Pinger, Peter Polycarpou, Sian Reeves, Frances Ruffelle, Oliver Spencer, Susan Jane Tanner, Ian Tucker, Colm Wilkinson
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 (February, 2017, updated December 2019)