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Mackintosh Brings New Les Mis to London???

Date: 5 February 2010

Cameron Mackintosh is planning an audacious move later in the year when he brings the reworked 25th Anniversary touring production of Les Miserables to London, where its competition will include the original version, currently at the Queen's Theatre.

Speaking to BBC Points West recently about the current tour, the veteran producer said: “For the 25th Anniversary the show is going to do a short season in London, which I'm going to announce very shortly … I'll have both productions running simultaneously, something that's never happened before.”

The new production, which is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell and designed by Matt Kinley, stars Gareth Gates as Marius, John Owen-Jones as Jean Valjean, and Earl Carpenter as Javert (See News, 29 Jun 2009).

In the same interview Mackintosh also referred to a “new musical” he is working on for January 2011. This is believed to be Betty Blue Eyes (based on the film A Private Affair), which has been adapted by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe and is due to open with a four-week run at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

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Reader Comments

Comment	Date
I love the tour and the original,but I agree its very silly to have both in london at the same time. I also would love to see a return of Miss Saigon. - Lynda R	26 Feb 10

I have seen the original production 10 times, and have now seen the 25th Aniversary version in Manchester. The new one is BETTER and the production has been brought into the 21st Century, which I didn't think was required, but it WAS. Superb! - Alan Sinfield	22 Feb 10

I loved the tour production- though wasn't sure about Jon's fright wig or the ship at the start. The performances were excellent and worthy of a westend run but it does seem a shame to put it up against the original (and best). - Ellen	10 Feb 10

Saw Les Mis in Manchester last Thurs it was FANTASTIC. I loved every minute it was well worth the trip from Spain specially to see it. The time passed so quickly I was amazed 3 and a half hours had sped past. - Norma Williams	09 Feb 10

he should be working on the return of miss saigon instead. this would be far more welcome in the west end im sure. and it should be epic with fantastic sets and effects : ) - bowie	09 Feb 10

Is there no end to this man's greed and avarice? - Coral	08 Feb 10

Oh dear. However, I have many excellent reviews for the tour of Les Miserables and, I must say, you are out of step with the majority! The tour is playing to packed houses and getting standing ovations and extra dates are being added which is not surprising with its excellent reviews so, obviously some people enjoy it! - almera2222	07 Feb 10

oh please don't!! the touring production just does not come close to the original!! i was bitterly disappointed when i saw it this week!! it is a case of "if it aint broke dont fix it"!! at times the new production felt like pantomime playing at full throttle!! - Colin McCarthy-burton	06 Feb 10

I'm sure you mean A Private Function. - Randolph Duke	05 Feb 10

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