Cast Update Announced for The World Tour of Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular

CAMERON MACKINTOSH, in association with NICK GRACE MANAGEMENT, announce today a casting update for the forthcoming UK performances of the World Tour of Boublil and Schönberg’s LES MISÉRABLES THE ARENA SPECTACULAR. The World’s favourite musical, re-imagined for the World’s biggest stages, will open at the SSE Arena Belfast on 19 September 2024.

Joining the previously announced Alfie Boe and Killian Donnelly, who share the role of Jean Valjean, and Michael Ball and Bradley Jaden, who share the role of Javert, will be Bonnie Langford as Madame Thénardier, Gavin Lee as Thénardier, Jac Yarrow as Marius, Beatrice Penny-Touré as Cosette, Channah Hewitt as Fantine, James D. Gish as Enjolras and Jeremy Secomb as Bishop of Digne, leading a cast and orchestra of over 65. Further casting to be announced soon.

It was also confirmed today that due to unprecedented demand and with most UK performances already sold out, new seats have been added in all cities, plus an extra performance in Manchester. UK tour schedule below. Tickets are on sale via lesmis.com/worldtour. Visit the website to view the cast’s scheduled performance dates, which are subject to change.

Bonnie Langford’s most recent appearance in the West End was in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre, having also appeared in the Gala cast of the show at the Sondheim Theatre. Her many other West End credits include Miss Evangeline Harcourt in Anything Goes, Roz Keith in 9 to 5 The Musical and Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street. She created the role of Rumpleteaser in the original production of Cats and also starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago, in both the West End and on Broadway. She won a British Soap Award for her role as Carmel Kazemi in EastEnders and most recently reached the final of ITV’s The Masked Dancer. Bonnie also appeared in the 2006 series of ITV1’s Dancing On Ice, skating her way to the final and returned for the All Stars season in 2014. Her other television credits include BBC’s Doctor Who and The Catherine Tate Show. Gavin Lee created the role of Bert in Mary Poppins, in both the West End and on Broadway, receiving Olivier, Tony and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for his portrayal, as well as the Drama Desk and Theatre World Awards. On Broadway he has appeared as Thénardier in Les Misérables and was also nominated for the Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for his performance as Squidward in The Spongebob Musical. His many other West End credits include Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast and Jerry Travers in Top Hat.


Jac Yarrow made his professional and West End debut as the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, for which he was nominated for the 2020 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor in a Musical and won The Stage Debut Award for Best West End Debut. He reprised the role of Joseph for the UK and Ireland Tour of the show and a run at Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre and was most recently seen in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends. Beatrice Penny-Touré is currently appearing as Nabulungi in The Book of Mormon in the West End. Her other West End credits include covering and playing the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and the title role in Mary Poppins, as well as Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends.

Channah Hewitt most recently played the role of Fantine in the Dutch tour of Les Misérables. She was part of the Dutch cast of The Lion King, covering the role of Nala. She then played the role of Ikette and covered the role of Tina in the Hamburg production of Tina The Tina Turner Musical and also played the role of Tina in the Dutch production of the show. James D. Gish is making his European debut. His credits on Broadway include Fiyero in Wicked and Fabrizio in The Light in the Piazza for New York City Center Encores. His US touring credits include Gerry Goffin in Beautiful and Feuilly in Les Misérables. Jeremy Secomb’s West End credits include Javert in Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and most recently Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends. His many other theatre credits include Sister Act at the Eventim Apollo and on tour, and Sweeney Todd in the London and New York revival of Sweeney Todd, at Harrington’s Pie and Mash Shop.


LES MISÉRABLES THE ARENA SPECTACULAR will be expanded from the hugely successful Les Misérables The Staged Concert which played for over 200 record-breaking performances in the West End. It will have an extraordinary new design specifically created for arenas. This spectacular production will have a company of over 110 actors, musicians and crew.

Nick Grace is one of the World’s leading producers and general managers of international touring productions and in the last 25 years has presented shows in 60 countries worldwide including BATMAN LIVE – World Arena Tour, WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular, BLUE MAN GROUP World Tour and the ongoing MAMMA MIA! UK & International Tour.

Camreron Mackintosh’s critically acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables continues its record-breaking run at the Sondheim Theatre in London’s West End, with several other local language productions currently on or in preparation around the world. The World Tour begins as the stage musical enters its 40th revolutionary year and will run throughout the upcoming 40th anniversary celebrations for the world’s longest running musical in 2025. To celebrate the 10th
Anniversary of the Oscar-winning movie, a remastered and remixed version was released in cinemas nationwide earlier this year.

For further press information please contact Raw PR
[email protected] or [email protected]

LES MISÉRABLES THE ARENA SPECTACULAR – 2024 TOUR LISTINGS
lesmis.com/worldtour

THURSDAY 19 – SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2024
SSE Arena, Belfast
https://www.ssearenabelfast.com/

THURSDAY 3 – SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER 2024
OVO Hydro, Glasgow
https://www.ovohydro.com/

THURSDAY 10 – SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER 2024
Utilita Arena, Sheffield
https://www.utilitaarenasheffield.co.uk/

THURSDAY 17 – SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER 2024
P&J Live, Aberdeen
https://www.pandjlive.com/


THURSDAY 26 – SUNDAY 29 DECEMBER 2024
AO Arena, Manchester
https://www.ao-arena.com/


THURSDAY 2 – SUNDAY 5 JANUARY 2025
Utilita Arena, Newcastle
https://www.utilitaarena.co.uk/


ACCESS PERFORMANCES INFORMATION
BSL-interpreted and Audio-described performances are scheduled for the below dates:
Saturday 28th September, 14:30 at The SSE Arena, Belfast
Sunday 6th October 13:00 at OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Sunday 13th October 13:00 at Utilita Arena, Sheffield
Sunday 20th October 13:00, at P&J Live, Aberdeen
Sunday 29th December 13:00 at AO Arena, Manchester
Sunday 5th January 12:30 at Utilita Arena, Newcastle


Booking details for these performances can be found below

Belfast
Tickets for BSL-interpreted and audio-described performances can be booked online here: https://www.ticketmaster.ie/les-miserables-the-arena-spectacular-tickets/artist/5433207?venueId=460013. More information can be found at https://www.ssearenabelfast.com/accessibility

Glasgow
Tickets for BSL-interpreted and audio-described performances can be booked online here: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/les-miserables-the-arena-spectacular-tickets/artist/5433207?venueId=444745
or by calling the Access line on 0141 576 3230 (open Mon-Fri 9am-2pm), or e-mailing [email protected]. More information can be found at https://www.ovohydro.com/visitor-information/accessibility


Sheffield
Tickets for BSL-interpreted and audio-described performances can be booked online here: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/les-miserables-the-arena-spectacular-tickets/artist/5433207?brand=uk_sheffieldarena&venueId=435513
or by calling the Access line on 01142 56 55 93 (open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm), e-mailing [email protected], or booking in person at Sheffield City Hall box office (open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm). More information can be found at www.utilitaarenasheffield.co.uk/plan-your-visit/accessibility


Aberdeen
Tickets for BSL-interpreted and audio-described performances can be booked online here: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/les-miserables-the-arena-spectacular-tickets/artist/5433207?venueId=443377
or by calling the Access line on 0800 988 4440, or e-mailing [email protected]. More information can be found at https://www.pandjlive.com/visiting/accessibility/


Manchester
Tickets for BSL-interpreted and audio-described performances can be booked online here: https://www.ao-arena.com/events/detail/les-miserables
or by calling the Access line on 0161 950 5229 , or e-mailing [email protected]. More information can be found at https://www.ao-arena.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility


Newcastle
Tickets for BSL-interpreted and audio-described performances can be booked online here: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/les-miserables-the-arena-spectacular-tickets/artist/5433207?venueId=254510
by e-mailing [email protected]. More information can be found at https://www.utilitaarena.co.uk/plan-your-visit/accessibility



FURTHER BIOGRAPHIES

Alfie Boe OBE is a multi-platinum selling recording artist and has established a reputation as one of the most powerful and prestigious UK born and bred voices. ‘The Nations favourite tenor’ also often referred to as ‘West End and Broadway Royalty’ has almost 3 decades of a whirlwind career under his belt so far. The Grammy nominated star has won a Tony Award, multiple Classical Brit Awards, a Silver Clef Award to name but a few. Alfie’s recording career has not only acquired him eleven top 10 albums including two number 1’s but numerous sold-out headline tours in the UK as a solo artist and as part of his duo act with Michael Ball ‘Ball and Boe’. He also sold out a US tour with Classic Quadrophenia alongside Pete Townsend, Vegas with his solo ‘Showstoppers’ debut and ‘Lights On Broadway’ that he headlined in Japan. Boe’s spellbinding voice has led him to some of the world’s most prestigious stages. From The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to the balcony at Buckingham Palace, The Horse Guards Parade for VE Day 70, multiple shows at The Royal Albert Hall, Opera Houses around the world, Theatre stages in The West End and Broadway, U.S Memorial Day at The West Lawn in Washington and many more. A firm favourite of The Royal Family, Alfie also released the official Platinum Jubilee National Anthem as a duet with Sarah Brightman. Alfie progressed from singing Arias on the factory floor underneath cars during his apprenticeship as a mechanic in his home town, to receiving a place at The Royal College Of Music followed by The National Opera Studio and the Royal Opera House. It was the moment the legendary Baz Luhrmann discovered him where things really started to propel. He landed his first Broadway role in La Boheme which resulted in him winning his Tony award. Alfie went on to play Alfredo in La Traviata, Tamino in The Magic Flute, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutti, J. M. Barrie in Finding Neverland on Broadway, The Mikado, Billy Bigelow in Carousel, and the role he is best known for, Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. Alfie’s spine-tingling rendition of ‘Bring Him Home’ continues to blow audiences away. He has played Jean Valjean in the West End and Broadway as well as celebrating the show’s 25th Anniversary at London’s O2 Arena and most recently, The All-Stars Concert version of the show alongside Michael Ball and Matt Lucas. Alfie’s recording career took off when he was initially signed in 2006 by Classic FM where he released his first album. He then moved to EMI Records and Decca Universal where he went on to become one of the big success stories and acquired his multiple platinum sales and ten top 10 records. In 2016 he partnered with friend Michael Ball, (who he met on the set of Kismet) to form the duo ‘Ball and Boe’. The pair released a Number 1, double platinum album ‘Together’ followed by an equally successful release of ‘Together Again’. They have since had another 3 chart topping records and continue to sell out Arena tours across the UK. In 2023 Alfie released his most recent solo album ‘Open Arms, The Symphonic Songbook’ on BMG Records. An eleventh top 10 record that showcases an eclectic mix of power ballads accompanied by beautiful orchestral arrangements. He sold out a headline solo tour in the UK and released a Sunday Times Bestselling Memoir book ‘Face The Music’. This followed his appearance in BBC1’s Freeze The Fear with Whim Hoff where fans really grasped an insight to his personal journey. Alfie is set to go back on the road in May this year for his Encore tour.


Killian Donnelly has just finished playing Jean Valjean in Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, having previously played the role to critical acclaim in both the West End production and the sell-out UK and Ireland tour. Killian recently played ‘Bruce Bechdel’ in Fun Home at Gate Theatre, Dublin. His other theatre credits include the role of ‘The Phantom’ in The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre, ‘Charlie Price’ in Kinky Boots on Broadway, a role he originated at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End in 2015, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award and for the cast recording a Grammy Award, and ‘Huey’ in the original London cast of Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre for which he was also nominated for an Olivier Award. He created the role of ‘Deco’ in The Commitments at the Palace Theatre and has also played ‘Tony’ in Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre, as well as ‘Raoul’ in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre. He first joined the West End company of Les Misérables in 2008, going on to play the role of ‘Enjolras’ from 2009 to 2011. In 2010, he played the role of ‘Courfeyrac’ in the “25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables” at The O2 Arena and also played the role of ‘Combeferre’ in the multi-award-winning film, which will be re-released in cinemas this month to mark its 10th Anniversary.


Michael Ball OBE is Britain’s leading musical theatre star, a double Olivier Award-winning, Grammy nominated, multi-platinum recording artist and a hugely popular radio and TV presenter. Michael’s theatre include Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (ENO/Coliseum); Javert in Les Misérables – The Staged Concert (Gielgud Theatre); Anatoly in Chess (ENO/Coliseum); Mack in Mack and Mabel (Chichester/UK Tour); Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd (West End) for which he won the Olivier Award for ‘Best Actor in a Musical’; Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (Original West End Cast) for which he won the Olivier Award for ‘Best Actor in a Musical’; Kismet (English National Opera); Patience (New York City Opera); The Woman in White (West End/Broadway); Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (West End); Passion, The Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love (West End/Broadway) and creating the role of Marius in Les Misérables (Original West End Cast). His television credits include the Victoria Wood BBC TV film, That Day We Sang, opposite his Sweeney Todd co-star, Imelda Staunton. Michael has a successful radio broadcasting career which includes his own show, The Michael Ball Show on BBC Radio 2 on Sundays. He is also a popular TV presenter - he has hosted The Michael Ball Show on ITV1, his first TV travelogue, Wonderful Wales on Channel 5 and most recently an Easter Sunday special for the BBC. He regularly tours the UK as a concert artist and has sold millions of albums over the last 30 years; he’s performed in Australia, China, USA, Japan and, in 2007, made his BBC Proms debut: An Evening with Michael Ball at the Royal Albert Hall which marked the first time a musical theatre star had been given a solo concert at the Proms. In 2016 he released Together, a collaborative effort with close friend and singer Alfie Boe, that featured performances of classic songs. The album became the UK’s best-selling album of 2016 and beat the likes of Little Mix and The Rolling Stones to the Christmas No.1 spot. Ball & Boe then released 'Together Again' which brought the pair yet another No.1 album in 2017, and 'Back Together' which landed them the No.2 spot in the Official Albums Chart. In 2020, Michael and Alfie released their first festive album 'Together at Christmas' featuring both old favourites and originals. Thanks to their latest release ‘Together in Vegas’, which entered the UK album chart at No.3 in October 2022, they have now sold over 1.5 million albums in the UK, received two Classic Brit Awards, sold out two headline arena tours and presented three ITV Specials. During the various U.K. lockdowns, Michael started to pen new material -- the result was 'We Are More Than One', an album more personal than ever before. After learning how to write and record remotely, every track had an inspiring story to tell. His debut novel, ‘The Empire’ - published in Autumn 2022, became a Sunday Times Bestseller and he recently released his first ever memoir titled ‘Different Aspects’


Bradley Jaden recently received rave reviews for his performance in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre. He also appeared as Raoul in Broadway Italia's brand new production of The Phantom of the Opera in Trieste and most notably as Javert in Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, a role he also played in the final cast of the musical at the Queen’s Theatre. Prior to that he starred as Enjolras in the concert staging of the production at the Gielgud Theatre. His other West End credits include appearing in the Gala cast of Old Friends at the Sondheim Theatre, Fiyero in Wicked at the Victoria Apollo Theatre, Thomas Percy in Treason: The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Sir Lancelot in Camelot in Concert at the London Palladium, the UK tour of Ghost The Musical and Shrek The Musical at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. His TV credits include Emmerdale on ITV, Sugar Rush on Channel 4, and most recently EastEnders on BBC One.