Photos: Salonga, Boe et al. in the LES MIS Anniversary Concert

BroadwayWorld Philippines correspondent Bing Shimizu was in the midst of the huge crowd that gathered during the two live concert performances celebrating epic musical LES MISÉRABLES 25^th anniversary at the O2 Arena, Greenwich, South-East London on Sunday, October 3, 2010.  Ms. Shimizu, a loyal supporter of the Pride of the Philippines and Tony winner Lea Salonga, shares her own photographs of some of the concert's highlights to avid BroadwayWorld.com readers.

Ms. Salonga, who played the young street urchin Eponine at the LES MISÉRABLES 10^th anniversary concert in 1995, returned to the "Les Mis" concert stage 15 years later essaying the tragic heroine Fantine. Ms. Salonga was joined by Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean, Norm Lewis as Javert, Matt Lucas as Thénardier, Jennifer Galloway as Madame Thénardier, Nick Jonas as Marius, Samantha Barks as Eponine, Ramin Karimloo as Enjolras, Katie Hall as Cosette, Mia Jenkins as little Cosette, the cast members of the current London and international tour productions, and the cast members of the original 1985 London production - making up a strong ensemble of 300 performers and musicians.

Sir Cameron Mackintosh-produced LES MISÉRABLES originally opened in London at the Barbican Theatre on October 8, 1985; transferred to the Palace Theatre on December 4, 1985;  and moved to its current home at the Queen's Theatre on April 3, 2004. When the show celebrated its 21st birthday on October 8, 2006, it became the world's longest-running musical, surpassing the record previously held by CATS. The London production broke another record by marking its historic 10,000th performance in January 2010.

Written by MISS SAIGON collaborators Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, LES MISÉRABLES has been seen by nearly 60 million people worldwide in 42 countries and in 21 languages. The show is undisputedly one of the world's most popular stage musicals, with new productions opening and currently running around the globe.

There have been over 36 cast recordings on CD and/or DVD of LES MISÉRABLES, including the multi-platinum London cast recording, the Grammy award-winning Broadway cast recording, the complete symphonic recordings, and the soon to be released 25^th anniversary productions recordings.

There have also been reports that a movie musical adaptation is in the works.

LES MISÉRABLES 25th anniversary concert at the O2 Arena was directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, designed by Matt Kinley, and conducted by David Charles Abell . Original costumes by Andreane Neofitou, additional costumes by Christine Rowland, lighting by Patrick Woodroffe and Paule Constable, and sound by Mick Potter.

A Blu-ray and DVD release of LES MISÉRABLES 25th anniversary concert is due on Monday, November 29, 2010 in the UK. 

Photos by Bing Shimizu