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Les Miserables 1985

Run Time:
Two hours and 50 minutes
Ages: 8+
Opened: October 8, 1985
Closing: July 13, 2019

Les Miserables - 1985 West End History , Info & More

Sondheim Theatre (formally Queen's Theatre)
(Piccadilly Circus) Shaftesbury Avenue London

Cameron Mackintosh's legendary production of Boublil and Schonberg's LES MISERABLES is a global stage sensation.

Seen by more than 70 million people in 43 countries and in 22 languages around the globe, it is still breaking box-office records everywhere in its 30th year.

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption-a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit.

Ex-convict Jean Valjean is hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.

Featuring the songs "I Dreamed A Dream", "Bring Him Home", "One Day More" and "On My Own"- Les Miserables is the show of shows.


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VIDEO: The Original Production of LES MISERABLES Says Au Revoir To The West End
by A.A. Cristi - July 16, 2019


The original staging of the beloved musical Les Miserables played its final performance this weekend at the Queen's Theatre in London. Following the performance, the show's current Jean Valjean, Dean Chisnall addressed the crowd to celebrate the impact and legacy of this groundbreaking production.

London's Queen's Theatre, Home To LES MISERABLES, Renamed The Sondheim Theatre
by Marianka Swain - July 5, 2019


Cameron Mackintosh today announces he is delighted that in honour of Stephen Sondheim's 90th birthday next March, the Queen's Theatre will be renamed the Sondheim Theatre, making him the only living artist to have a theatre named in his honour both in the West End and on Broadway. Following the renovation of wartime bomb damage and a major restoration of the auditorium and the complete backstage, the newly named Sondheim Theatre will continue as the home of world's longest running musical Les Miserables as it enters its 35th year.

Book Tickets Now For The LES MISERABLES All-Star Concert
by Marianka Swain - February 8, 2019


For 16 weeks only Michael Ball (Javert), Alfie Boe (Jean Valjean), Carrie Hope Fletcher (Fantine) and Matt Lucas (Thenardier) will lead a large cast and orchestra of over 65 in the concert version of Les Miserables. Book tickets here!

The LES MISERABLES Experience At The Queen's Theatre
by Gary Naylor - February 1, 2019


Les Mis has been in London almost as long as I have - here's how we have grown old together.

LES MISERABLES Fans Unite Against Changes to Original Staging
by Nicole Rosky - January 21, 2019


Almost 2.7K fans have signed a petition to save the original staging, begging Cameron Mackintosh: 'By all means keep the 'reimagined' one for tours but don't replace the original!'

Frances Ruffelle Speaks Out On LES MISERABLES London Changes; Fans Start Petition To Save Original Staging
by Alan Henry - January 9, 2019


It was announced yesterday that The Queen's Theatre in London, the only place to see Les Miserables with its original staging will undergo renovations and when the show returns from hiatus it will be revised to the most recent production which has toured extensively and played Broadway. When the show reopens, after a brief hiatus, it will have new staging, new orchestrations, and a new cast.

Original Production of LES MISERABLES in London Will Take Hiatus and Re-Open With New Staging
by Stephi Wild - January 8, 2019


Les Miserables is continuing to break records all over the world, with new productions springing up across the US, UK, and beyond. Currently, the Queen's Theatre in London is the only place to catch the show with its original staging, but that soon will change. When the show reopens, after a brief hiatus, it will have new staging, orchestrations, and a new cast.

LES MISERABLES Composer Claude-Michel Schönberg Discusses His Life and Work
by Louis Train - December 3, 2018


Not many people know the name Claude-Michel Schonberg, but everybody knows his music: as the composer of Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, Claude-Michel is present in everyone's playlist, in a songbook on everyone's piano, and in every karaoke lineup. Last night, he sat down with journalist Edward Seckerson to talk about his life, work, and inspiration, and the projects that didn't quite make it.

Cameron Mackintosh Lays Plans to Add Toilets to Queen's Theatre, Home of LES MIS
by Julie Musbach - October 1, 2018


According to The Stage, Cameron Mackintosh has been given approval to up the number of toilets in the Queen's Theatre from 24 to 33, thereby alleviating a certain amount of congestion during performances of Les Miserables.

Book Review: BOUBLIL AND SCHONBERG'S LES MISERABLES, Sarah Whitfield
by Fraser MacDonald - September 9, 2018


The musical phenomenon that continues to take audiences by storm is arguably uplifting and depressing in equal measure. In this new book, Sarah Whitfield explores the audience's relationship with Les Miserables and offers an entertaining dissection of the show's success.

TV: Dean Chisnall Discusses LES MISERABLES
by Nicole Ackman - July 3, 2018


Dean Chisnall chats about playing Jean Valjean, his favourite song in Les Mis, and the importance of seeing live theatre.

VIDEO: The Cast of LES MISERABLES Gives a Revolutionary Performance at West End Live
by Stephi Wild - June 16, 2018


West End's free outdoor performance event West End Live has kicked off today! The cast of Les Miserables took to the stage to give a revolutionary performance. Watch it below!

New Cast Announced For LES MISERABLES At The Queen's Theatre
by Stephi Wild - May 4, 2018


From Monday 11 June 2018, there will be major cast changes at the West End production of 'LES MISERABLES' at the Queen's Theatre, which is now in its record breaking 33rd year.

BWW Review: Looking Down on LES MISERABLES at Old National Centre
by The Marriage Matinee - March 15, 2018


It is a simple act to overlook those beneath you as you go about your daily life, eager to get to the next appointment or entertainment. All of this hubbub is a distraction from what goes on in the alleys and dark areas where you'd rather not look. But if you manage to 'look down,' you'll see and meet the indomitable spirit that is LES MISERABLES.

TV: David Thaxton Discusses His Return To LES MISERABLES
by Jamie Body - February 13, 2018


David Thaxton has returned to the cast of 'LES MISERABLES' at the Queen's Theatre in the role of 'Javert'.

David Thaxton Returns To Play 'Javert' In LES MISERABLES this January
by BWW News Desk - November 6, 2017


Cameron Mackintosh has just announced that from Monday 22 January 2018, David Thaxton will return to the cast of LES MISERABLES at the Queen's Theatre in the role of 'Javert'.

VIDEO: Les Mis Star Hayden Tee's Make-up Transformation
by Stage Tube - October 19, 2017


Watch as Les Miserables' star Hayden Tee ages himself with makeup and transforms into Javert.

VIDEO: Hear the People Sing Happy Birthday! LES MISERABLES Celebrates 32 Years in the West End
by BWW News Desk - October 9, 2017


Do you hear the people sing? Singing the songs of... Happy Birthday?

BWW Interview: Carley Stenson On Playing Fantine In LES MISERABLES
by Marianka Swain - August 30, 2017


Carley Stenson's work includes Hollyoaks, Shrek: The Musical, Legally Blonde, Spamalot and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. She's currently starring as Fantine in Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre in the West End.

Les Miserables History

Other Productions of Les Miserables

1985   West End Original London Production
West End
1987   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1987   US Tour 1st National Tour
US Tour
1988   US Tour 2nd National Tour
US Tour
2006   Broadway Return Engagement [Broadway]
Broadway
2010   US Tour 25th Anniversary Production
US Tour
2014   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2017   US Tour Revival National Tour
US Tour
2021   West End West End Staged Concert Revival
West End
2021   West End West End Revival
West End

Les Miserables - 1985 West End Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2012 Olivier Awards BBC Radio 2 Olivier Audience Award -
2011 Olivier Awards BBC Radio Olivier Audience Award 0
1991 Olivier Awards Outstanding Non-Resident Production National Theatre
1985 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year Alain Boublil
1985 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year Herbert Tretzmer
1985 Olivier Awards Musical of the Year Claude-Michel Schanberg
1985 Olivier Awards Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical Alun Armstrong
1985 Olivier Awards Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical Colm Wilkinson

Videos