Questions and Answers
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?
Susan Boyle
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?
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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?
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How did Les Misérables start its journey in Paris?
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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?
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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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