Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is the main character in Les Misérables?
Who is the main character in Les Misérables?
Jean Valjean
Which actress famously auditioned with 'I Dreamed A Dream' from Les Misérables on Britain's Got Talent?
Which actress famously auditioned with 'I Dreamed A Dream' from Les Misérables on Britain's Got Talent?
Susan Boyle
When did Les Misérables originally open in Paris?
When did Les Misérables originally open in Paris?
1980
Who decided to create an English-language version of Les Misérables after hearing a recording of the concept album?
Who decided to create an English-language version of Les Misérables after hearing a recording of the concept album?
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In which city did Les Misérables open at the Palace Theatre in December 1985?
In which city did Les Misérables open at the Palace Theatre in December 1985?
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What is the significance of Les Misérables' run on Broadway in terms of awards?
What is the significance of Les Misérables' run on Broadway in terms of awards?
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How did Les Misérables start its journey in Paris?
How did Les Misérables start its journey in Paris?
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Describe the character Jean Valjean and his journey in Les Misérables.
Describe the character Jean Valjean and his journey in Les Misérables.
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How has Les Misérables impacted the world in terms of performances and audience reach?
How has Les Misérables impacted the world in terms of performances and audience reach?
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What is the current status of Les Misérables in the West End and on Broadway?
What is the current status of Les Misérables in the West End and on Broadway?
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Study Notes
Les Misérables Background
- Les Misérables is the stage adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same name.
- The sung-through musical was originally written in French by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boubil, and Jean-Marc Natel and staged in 1980.
Development and Production
- Cameron Mackintosh produced an English-language version for a British audience after hearing the soundtrack.
- The English-language version opened in 1985 with new lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Premiere and Run
- The initial two-month run at the Barbican Centre was a sell-out, guaranteeing a place on the West End.
- Les Misérables opened at the Palace Theatre in 1985 and ran until 2004.
- The show then moved to Queen's Theatre, where it still runs today.
Theatre Renaming and Milestone
- The Queen's Theatre was refurbished and renamed The Sondheim Theatre in 2019.
- Les Misérables became the longest-running musical in the world, with over 70 million people having seen it.
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Description
Test your knowledge about one of the biggest musicals in the world - Les Misérables. Learn interesting facts and details about the London's longest running musical at The Sondheim Theatre.
