After reports in the Daily Mail that Frances Ruffelle and Colm Wilkinson have joined the cast of Les Miserables' upcoming screen adaptation, rumours are now rife that more original cast members could sign up for the film.
In their confirmed cameo appearances, Ruffelle will play what producer Cameron Mackintosh calls "the most fabulous whore" in the song "Lovely Ladies". Wilkinson will "buy Jean Valjean's soul for God" playing Bishop Myriel.
Cast confirmed for the long-awaited Les Miserables film include Russell Crowe as Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette and Aaron Tveit as Enjolras. Hugh Jackman takes on the role of Jean Valjean and has already been in rehearsals for three weeks, according to reports from the Mail's Baz Bamigboye.
Speaking to Whatsonstage.com at this week's Critics' Circle Awards, Eddie Redmayne said he starts rehearsals for the role of Marius on Monday, but when asked if the role meant we could see him on the West End musical stage any time soon he said he was taking things one step at a time.
So, will any more of the original West End cast be joining the original Jean Valjean and Eponine? As much as fans might want to see original Marius, Michael Ball, announce his cameo role, he would have to fit filming around starring in the Chichester Festival Theatre transfer of Sweeney Todd which opens at the West End's Adelphi Theatre on 20 March (previews from 10 March 2012).
There might be more luck for current London theatre stars then, with Mackintosh telling the Mail that the film will have "scores of parts for West End performers". When the film adaptation of Oliver! was made in 1968 the impresario estimates "dozens — probably hundreds — of people from London stage shows took part."
Les Miserables had its world premiere at the Barbican on 8 October 1985. Based on Victor Hugo's classic humanitarian novel set in 19th-century revolutionary France, the musical has a book by Alain Boublil, music by Claude-Michel Schonberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer.
After its premiere at the Barbican, the landmark Royal Shakespeare Company production, adapted and directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird and designed by John Napier, transferred, care of Cameron Mackintosh, to the West End’s Palace Theatre where it ran for 18 years before moving down the road on 3 April 2004 to the Queen’s.
The thought of Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean is too awful to comtemplate! I would much prefer Cameron Mackintosh to do an 'Andrew Lloyd Weber' on us and cast the role via a television programme. Am I the only one that is NOT impressed by Mr. Jackman? I also find it tragic that with the vast amount of talent on the London stage, they are being reduced to taking 'bit parts'. Oh for the days of J. Arthur Rank!!! - execelsior
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