‘Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular’ is coming to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in April/May 2025.
The London production of ‘Les Miserables’ is the world’s longest-running musical. It has just entered its 40th year, still playing to sell-out crowds. Cameron Mackintosh has put together a spectacular arena production of the musical, which has just opened to rave reviews and sold-out arenas in the UK and major European cities. . . And will arrive in Australia for five weeks in early 2025.
The new production has an extraordinary, exciting new design – specifically created for the venues it’s playing in Australia. The show will feature an international cast, and orchestra of more than 65 including many famous ‘Les Mis’ stars and several brilliant new ones.
The show features Alfie Boe and Killian Donnelly sharing the role of Jean Valjean, and Michael Ball and Bradley Jaden sharing the role of Javert.
Returning to the ‘Les Mis’ universe is Matt Lucas, as Thenardier. He first triumphed in the role in the 25th anniversary concert at the O2, later in the production at the Gielgud, and then in West End. He’s best known for appearances in films and TV series like ‘Little Britain’.
Australia’s leading lady Marina Prior will star alongside Matt as Madame Thenardier. She started her career in the 1984 production of ‘Cats’, and followed it up as Cosette in the original Australian production of ‘Les Miserables’.
“I have long dreamt of taking an Arena Tour of ‘Les Miserables’ around the world, but I am especially thrilled to be bringing it back to Australia where the outrageous of idea of doing ‘Les Mis’ as a concert began,” Producer Cameron Mackintosh says.
Image © Danny Kaan
“When I first did the stage production of ‘Les Miserables’ in Sydney in 1987, with the wonderous Marina Prior as Cosette – (only two years after its London opening) we were invited to do a concert in Sydney’s Domain in January 1989 as part of the Sydney Festival. It was very early in the life of ‘Les Miserables’, so we had no idea if anyone would turn up, let alone know the music, as the show had only been playing for a year in the 1000 seat Theatre Royal. But, to our astonishment, 135,000 people turned up and embraced the show with a mighty roar – it was a night I will never forget, and the Concert was born.”
“Because of the extraordinary life of ‘Les Miserables’, continually reinventing itself on stage and screen, we have had many reasons to stage celebratory concerts – including keeping the run going during COVID (when we were allowed) and the necessary rebuilding of its London theatre, which was falling to pieces – unlike the stage show, which has remained as young and revolutionary as ever. After we created the new 25th Anniversary stage production of ‘Les Miserables’, which was also an enormous success in Australia, we started seriously planning the World Arena Tour with the same brilliant production team, but then COVID put everything on hold for a few years.
“However, serendipitously, we have now launched our production as part of ‘Les Miserables’’ extraordinary 40th Anniversary celebrations. The show remains as successful as ever, still breaking records in London and around the world. Our timing has proved perfect as we have now been able to bring together an amazing international cast of both famous ‘Les Mis’ stars, and several brilliant new ones, including a couple of my favourite Australians! Thrillingly, at last, this wonderful company are bringing this unique fusion of musical theatre and rock and roll back home.
“It will be over ten years since Boublil and Schönberg’s timeless masterpiece was last seen in Australia, so I feel sure this quick blast of MIZ ROCKS! will delight fans until I can bring the stage production back One Time More!”
Waitlist now.
Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular Australia 2025 Tour Dates
From 30 April – ICC Theatre (Sydney)From 14 May – Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne)
From 28 May – Brisbane Entertainment Centre