Au Revoir Les Mis

Cameron Mackintosh’snew production of Boublil & Schönberg's legendary musical, Les Misérables, which premiered in Melbourne on June 22^nd 2014 and is preparing for its final bow this coming Sunday 17^th January in Brisbane. The award-winning Australian production has celebrated a 19 month run with seasons in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane and will close after 588 performances.

Over this time, the production has won numerous awards including a Green Room Award, Sydney’s Sunday Telegraph Party of the Year and is nominated for 4 Sydney Theatre Awards which will be announced next week. In 2015 the production also scooped the pool at theHelpmann Awards winning in 5 categories including Best Musical, Best Male Actor in a Musical, Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design.

The production also boasts a remarkable cast led by Simon Gleeson, who won a Helpmann Award for his portrayal as Jean Valjean. Outside of the Les Mis stage the cast have enjoyed further performance highlights including a performance at Melbourne’s Carols by Candlelight, many charity and special event performances such as the Swisse Ball, AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Cup, early morning performances on breakfast and morning television programmes including the Today Show and Sunrise, and many major event National Anthem performances. Simon himself earnt the honour of performing the national anthem at Cricket Australia’s Australia Day ODI, the NRL Grand Final and the Australian Open Men’s Final. The cast themselves also produced and performed in Beyond Misérables, a one night only charity event that saw them raise $94,000 for Beyond Blue.

Many of the principal cast are now bound to show the world why Cameron Mackintosh cast them in their respective roles as they continue their Les Mis journey. At the conclusion of the Australian season Simon Gleeson will lead the production for seasons in Manilla and Singapore from March. Joining him on the Asian tour will be principal actors Chris Durling, Emily Langridge and Kerrie Anne Greenland starring as Eponine, who also garnered a Helpmann Award for her performance. Many other Australian company members, cast and crew will also be continuing their Les Mis journey on the Asian tour.

Hayden Teewill take his portrayal of Javert to New York where he will assume the role in the Broadway production from February. Hayden has firmly staked his claim on Valjean’s lifelong antagonist Javert, earning him a Green Room Award. Patrice Tipoki will also be packing her bags and heading to London from February to star as Fantine in the West End production, which recently celebrated its 30th Anniversary, until May when she will then join the production in Singapore.

“I am extremely proud of this production and all it has achieved in its 19 month run in Australia, working with a new generation of Australian talent. It continues to be a thrill for me to see my productions enjoyed the world over delighting audiences and proving big hits at the box office. Les Misérables is a truly unique show and I am so grateful that it still provides me and audiences alike with the same enjoyment and fulfilment as it did 30 years ago when I debuted it on the West End,” said Cameron Mackintosh.

“In past Australian productions of Les Mis I was privileged to introduce to the world talented performers such as Marina Prior and Anthony Warlow who have gone on to have phenomenal careers all over the world.

“Two years ago, I brought together this talented cast revealing a new generation of major Australian talents including Simon Gleeson, Hayden Tee and Patrice Tipoki among others, making it a truly satisfying experience. Together with the wonderful crew, orchestra and production team, led by Michael Cassel in what I’m hoping will be the first of many productions we work on together, this Australian company has been a joy to work with.” he continued.

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. This new production of the features modernised staging, orchestrations and reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo.

The curtain will come down for the last time this weekend as this acclaimed Australian production of Les Misérables plays its final show at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre on Sunday 17^th January 2016.

Tickets qpac.com.au or 136 246

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