Cameron Mackintosh Talks Hit-Making & New LES MIZ

In an interview with Arifa Akbar of The U.K. Independent, Cameron Mackintosh talks about his latest projects, 'Les Mis' twenty-five years later and, somewhat surprisingly for the notoriously lavish producer, theater on a budget.

Says Mackintosh on the worldwide success of Les Miserables: "I never know what is going to have that 'X' factor and what isn't. I didn't think Les Miserables would be as big or as successful as Evita. It took three years for us to know that we had a phenomenon."

And, after 25 years, the production is still playing strong in the West End at the Barbican Theatre, and a new production "from scratch" will head east to North America this fall.

On what he has learned throughout his decades-long career as the U.K.'s leading musical producer: "I used to have to beg and borrow £25 to hire some French windows. I started producing in 1967 and I was in debt until 1981. Having a think about whether you can afford 'this' or 'that' is a good discipline to have, to maximise what you can achieve to the highest standard."

At the height of his success in the early 1990s, The New York Times describEd Mackintosh as "the most successful, influential and powerful theatrical producer in the world."  These days, things have settled down for Mackintosh, he has moved out of London and into the country, but he still manages to wield tremendous power in the West End - he currently own seven of its theaters.

Starting out as a stage hand at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, the 63 year old Mackintosh went on to produce LES MISERABLES, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, CATS and MISS SAIGON.  He also oversaw the New York to London transfers of OKLAHOMA!, MY FAIR LADY and CAROUSEL. His most recent project was the musical adaptation of Walt Disney's MARY POPPINS.

To read the full article, visit www.independent.co.uk.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.