Photo Coverage: Australian Production of LES MISERABLES Premieres in Brisbane; Show Runs Thru 1/17

Brisbane, Australia--18 months after it opened in Melbourne, the original Australian production of Cameron Mackintosh's reimagined edition of the 30-year-old megamusical LES MISERABLES officially opened at Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC) largest venue, the 2,000 seat Lyric Theatre, last November 13.

Led by Helpmann Award winner Simon Gleeson, who plays ex-convict Jean Valjean, and Hayden Tee, Valjean's archenemy Police Inspector Javert, the show's nearly 40-strong original cast members are working together for the last time before Tee assumes the role of Javert on Broadway and Patrice Tipoki, who plays ex-factory worker Fantine, undertakes the same role in London's West End early next year.

Brisbane is the last leg of LES MISERABLES' Australian tour; it is set to tour Manila, Philippines and Singapore next year.

"One of the joys of the huge success of the new LES MISERABLES is the revelation of a new generation of major Australian talents including Simon Gleeson, Hayden Tee, and Patrice Tipoki who has brought a unique dignity to her movingly sung Fantine. I'm delighted that after the season in Brisbane, Patrice will be playing the role in London, where the show has just celebrated its record-breaking 30th anniversary," said theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh.

Michael Cassel, Mackintosh's Australian representative and executive producer of LES MISERABLES in Australia, Manila, and Singapore added, "It is thrilling that just two years ago we introduced the Australian company of LES MISERABLES, and as we say farewell to Australian audiences with our final season in Brisbane, the talents of this stellar cast will continue to wow audiences in Manila, Singapore and now, on Broadway and the West End. I couldn't be prouder."

Seen by 70 million people worldwide in 43 countries and in 22 languages, and winner of more than 125 awards, LES MISERABLES, based on the book by Victor Hugo (1802-1885), which features music by Claude-Michel Schonberg, English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, is one of the world's most popular musicals.

Last seen in Brisbane 17 years ago, LES MISERABLES' new Australian production also stars Lara Mulcahy (Madame Thenardier), Trevor Ashley (Thenardier), Rodney Dobson (Thenardier), Helpmann Award winner Kerrie Anne Greenland (Eponine), Emily Langridge (Cosette), Chris Durling (Enjolras), Euan Doidge (Marius), and ensemble actors Phoebe Barnett, Daniel Belle, Billy Bourchier, Hugo Chiarella. Elisa Colla, Melanie Cornell, Nicholas Cradock (Gavroche during opening night), Chloe Delos Santos (Little Cosette during opening night), Mischana Dellora Cornish, Charli Dwyer, Kiera Dzeparoski, Zoy Frangos, Zoe Gertz, Venice Harris, Tamlyn Henderson, Harry Herbert, Matt Heyward, Callum Hobson, Luke Joslin, Naomi Livingston, Rob Mallett, Allyce Martins, Robert McDougall, Liwam McIlwain, Sarah Murr, Joel Parnis, Raeja Pashos, Micahela Powel, Joshua Robson, Lisa Sontag, James Swarbrick, Rowan Witt, and Chloe Zuel.

It is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, with set and image design by Matt Kinley--inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, costume design by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowland, lighting design by Helpmann Award winner Paule Constable, sound design by Helpmann Award winner Mick Potter, projections by Fifty-Nine Productions, musical staging by Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt, musical supervision by Stephen Brooker, and musical direction by Geoffrey Castles.

To get tickets to LES MISERABLES in Brisbane, Australia, visit LesMis.com.au.

To get tickets to LES MISERABLES in Manila, Philippines, visit LesMis.com/manila/

Photos: Oliver Oliveros, Rome Jorge, Edmond Llosala

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