Les Misérables Archives - North West End UK

Les Misérables: School Edition – Hyde Festival Theatre

17Apr

By David S ClarkeNo Comments

North West

Les Misérables: School Edition – Hyde Festival Theatre

It’s not very often, if ever, that I am left speechless by a performance, but this was one such occasion. I found myself so enthralled by what was happening on the stage that I forgot that I was actually meant to be reviewing the show, in fact I got to the end of Act 1 and discovered that I hadn’t written anything on my notes, so I will have to write this review purely from memory. I’ve had to edit my review and have left out the synopsis which I had originally included. For those few of you who don’t know the story of Les Miserables, all I can suggest is that Google is a wonderful thing! Anyway, back to the show. The first solo of the performance was taken by Harry O’Connor as the Bishop of Digne who set the standard for the rest of the performers to follow, a good opening and grea...

<strong>Les Misérables – Leeds Grand Theatre</strong>

30Nov

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Les Misérables – Leeds Grand Theatre

An expectant audience finally sat down after a two year wait for this musical juggernaut, and any fears that this wouldn't be the full West End experience were dashed from the first chord as massive sets rumbled on and off this vast stage. Les Misérables is an epic in every sense, based on Victor Hugo's sprawling novel of redemption and obsession set against the backdrop of a France riven by poverty and doomed petit bourgeois revolutionaries. It is perfect fodder for a sung through piece that sits somewhere between musical theatre and opera as reformed convict Jean Valjean seeks redemption after breaking his parole after stealing bread for his sick nephew, but is pursued over decades by implacable lawman Javert, who loses his reason as he tries to bring his quarry to justice. ...

<strong>Rebecca Ferrin comes back home as Les Mis comes to Leeds Grand</strong>

23Nov

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

Interviews

Rebecca Ferrin comes back home as Les Mis comes to Leeds Grand

Les Misérables is a musical juggernaut smashing record after record for more three decades and now the UK tour of this epic tale of betrayal, obsession, revolution, and redemption is heading to Leeds Grand Theatre. Rebecca Ferrin first trod the boards at the Grands as a child and how she’s coming back to her hometown theatre in an epic tale of the battle between Jean Valjean and his nemesis Javert that has played to over 130 million people worldwide. Ferrin who trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts battled her way through one of the toughest auditions for any show and tells our Features Editor Paul Clarke why winning a place onstage is a dream come true. Is this the full West End version that's coming to Leeds? Yes, it's almost identical in every single aspect. We've ha...

14Aug

By Peter KinnockNo Comments

West Midlands

Les Misérables – Birmingham Hippodrome

Theatre critics can sometimes be very useful. Take Sheridan Morley, for instance, who, in the mid eighties, was almost the only voice amidst a tsunami of naysayers to have something nice to say about Les Misérables. Nearly every other critic slammed it with lines like "a witless and synthetic entertainment”. The show proved them wrong and continues to prove them wrong and at 38 years it is undoubtedly one of the most successful theatrical achievements in world history. I hadn’t seen the show since 1986 but it has been with me ever since so reuniting with it last night at the Birmingham Hippodrome was like meeting a long lost friend and a long lost friend who looks and sounds a lot brighter and vibrant than the passing years would suggest. It really is a stunning price of work. The plot tr...

18Jun

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Les Misérables – Hull New Theatre

I was not surprised when the applause rang out at the Hull New Theatre on Friday evening for the spectacular that is Les Misérables. What did surprise me, however, was that the applause from the audience in the jam-packed theatre started before the show had even begun after a disembodied voice reminded us to turn off our phones and enjoy the show. Let me start my review by showing my appreciation for the amazing stage setting which brought to life the uprising by the poor of Paris, in 1832. Marvellous costumes, dramatic lighting, sounds and rousing music from talented musicians conducted by Ben Ferguson, all helped to create a production that took my breath away. But all the above would be nothing without actors who, to a man, woman and child (or children in this case, stars o...

2Apr

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Les Misérables – The Lowry

Reviewing 'Les Misérables' is in some ways a useless task. The show is entering its thirty seventh (!) year in production and has been seen by well over seventy million (!!) people during that time. It was famously panned by the critics at the opening but has subsequently proved to be one of the most popular 'critic proof' musicals with sell out audiences all over the world, Now, Boublil and Schonberg's iconic show lands at The Lowry for six weeks having already sold virtually every ticket, once again those visitors will not be disappointed with this fresh staging of a spellbinding masterpiece. The titanic struggle between Javert (Nic Greenshields) and Jean Valjean (Dean Chisnall), set against the backdrop of post revolutionary France, culminating in the Paris Uprising of 1832, forms t...

Award Winning West End Star Announces Debut UK Tour

21Feb

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Award Winning West End Star Announces Debut UK Tour

Actress, author, vlogger and award-winning West End sensation Carrie Hope Fletcher is heading out on her first ever UK tour. Carrie Hope Fletcher - An Open Book will see the musical theatre star play a series of unmissable theatre shows in May and June 2023 including a date at The Lowry’s Lyric Theatre on Sunday 28th May. Performing songs from her incredible career expect fan favourites including hits from Heathers, Les Misérables, The Addams Family and many more interspersed with chat about Carrie’s fascinating life and career. Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday (25th February) and are available from www.cuffeandtaylor.com Carrie Hope Fletcher - An Open Book 2023 18th May 2023St George’s HallBradford21st May 2023Mayflower TheatreSouthampton22nd May 2023Theatre RoyalN...

9Jan

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Les Misérables – Liverpool Empire

Starting the new year with a storm, Les Mis opens its tour to thunderous applause. The theatre phenomenon is back with its new production and a cast as spectacular as its score. Opening in London in 1985, this tale set in the French Revolution, was not received well by critics. However, through word of mouth, the musical gained a loyal fanbase and raised the show to its current status as a household name and the longest running West End show. Fans will know that the original staging has been updated, with some devotees being of the opinion that “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”. After seeing the new production (directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor), I can honestly say that it feels fresh, revived and still as epic as ever. And controversially, I don’t miss the revolve! This ...

New Dates Announced for the reopening of Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Misérables UK and Ireland Tour

22Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

New Dates Announced for the reopening of Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Misérables UK and Ireland Tour

Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce full touring dates for the UK and Ireland tour of his acclaimed production of the Boublil and Schönberg’s “LES MISÉRABLES”. The musical will open at Glasgow Theatre Royal on 24 November 2021 where it will run until 1 January 2022, before playing Liverpool Empire (5 – 22 January 2022), Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Dublin (8 – 26 February 2022), The Mayflower, Southampton (8 – 26 March 2022), The Lowry, Salford (29 March – 23 April 2022), Milton Keynes Theatre (26 April – 21 May 2022), Theatre Royal Plymouth (24 May – 11 June 2022), Hull New Theatre (15 June – 9 July 2022), Bristol Hippodrome (12 July – 6 August 2022), Birmingham Hippodrome (9 – 27 August 2022), Norwich Theatre Royal (31 August – 24 September 2022), Marlowe Theatre, Canterbur...