Double the Drama as Two Productions of Les Miserables Play London

Two productions of the West End's longest-running musical, Les Miserables, will play London simultaneously to help celebrate the show's 25th anniversary. A new production, backed by Cameron Mackintosh, will play the Barbican Theatre (where the original Trevor Nunn-directed Les Miz debuted in 1985) beginning September 14 and playing through October 2. Meanwhile, the enduring West End production will continue its run at the Queen’s Theatre.

The new production, which is currently touring after opening in Cardiff in December 2009 has broken records with its engagements in Manchester, Norwich and Birmingham. The show features new direction by Laurence Connor and James Powell and designs by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. It stars John Owen-Jones as Jean Val-Jean, Earl Carpenter as Javert and Gareth Gates as Marius. Following its run at the Barbican, the musical will continue on to Edinburgh, Paris, Bristol, Salford and Southhampton. A live cast recording is due for release after Easter 2010.

Les Miserables originally opened in London at the Barbican Theatre in October 1985 directed by Nunn and John Caird. It transferred to the Palace Theatre on December 4, 1985, and moved to its current home at the Queen’s Theatre on April 3, 2004, where it continues to play to packed houses. In October 2006, the tuner took over the title of the world’s longest-running musical from Cats.