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Les Miserables Undergoing a June Revolution

Posted by Ben on Thursday 26th May 2011 at 11:25AM

Epic musical Les Misérables will take a short performance break next month as several cast and production changes are made. Following the evening performance on Saturday 18 June, the production will close for three days at the Queen’s Theatre to allow technicians to install a brand new state-of-the-art surround sound system and construct a larger pit to accommodate the new orchestra which will play the latest 25th Anniversary Tour score. Matt Lucas and Alfie Boe Join the Cast The new Les Misérables cast will include Matt Lucas as ‘Thénardier’ and opera singer Alfie Boe as ‘Jean Valjean’. Caroline Sheen plays ‘Fantine’, former Wicked star Alexia Khadime is ‘Eponine’, Craig Mather is ‘Marius’, Katy Secombe is ‘Madame Thénardier’, Liam Tamne is ‘Enjolras’, Lisa-Anne Wood is ‘Cosette’ and Hadley Fraser plays ‘Javert’.
	Matt Lucas is one of Britain’s most successful comic actors and writers. His TV credits include “Come Fly With Me” and the multi award-winning “Little Britain”. His other credits include “Shooting Stars”, “Wind in the Willows” and Tim Burton’s film of “Alice in Wonderland”. On stage, he made his West End debut in the 2002 musical “Taboo” inspired by life of the Culture Club singer Boy George. In 2009 he starred in Prick Up Your Ears at the Comedy Theatre but left the show early following the death of his former partner, Kevin McGee.
	Alfie Boe is one of the country’s leading tenors and best-selling recording artists. He was famously discovered whilst working as an apprentice car mechanic in Blackpool when a customer overheard him singing and recommended he audition for the professional D’Oyly Carte Opera Company that were casting for a national tour. He got the job and toured the country singing Gilbert & Sullivan, before winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Music. He has performed with the English National Opera, most recently singing the role ‘Nadir’ in a new production of “The Pearl Fishers”. On Broadway, he won a Tony Award after starring in Baz Luhrmann’s “La Boheme”. His latest Les Misérables-inspired album, "Bring Him Home", has gone Gold with over 150,000 sales.
A Powerful Tale of Passion and Destruction After 19 years in prison Jean Valjean is released on parole. He changes his name and rises from the gutter to become a factory owner and mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer, though his past life cannot be left behind. Years later, the city of Paris descends into unrest and the students prepare for a bloody uprising. As Valjean reappears in search of a young girl, the barricades are built and battle for the streets begins. Alfie Boe will play the role of ‘Jean Valjean’ until 26 November 2011. Matt Lucas will play the role of ‘Thénardier’ until 10 September 2011.