Theatre News

Musicals Cast: Full Les Mis, Trafalgar Betwixt!

Full casting for the fourthcoming Les Miserables cast change has been announced, with Alexia Khadime, Craig Mather, Katy Secome, Liame Tamne and Lisa-Anne Wood joining the previously reported Caroline Sheen, Alfie Boe, Matt Lucas and Hadley Fraser in the musical’s new company from 23 June 2011.

The production will also close for three days from 18 June allowing the production to install a brand new surround sound system and enlarge the Queen’s Theatre orchestra pit. The show will reopen on 23 June with a slightly larger band playing orchestrations from the show’s 25th anniversary tour.

Alexia Khadime, who plays Eponine, was last seen in the West End in Adam Gwon‘s Ordinary Days at Trafalgar Studios. Her stage credits include playing Elphaba in Wicked and Nala in The Lion King.

Katy Secombe’s credits include Rosie in Mamma Mia!, Mama Morton in the tour of Chicago and Guys and Dolls at the National Theatre. She now plays Madame Thénardier in Les Miserables.

Liam Tamne, whose recent credits include Hair in the West End, Hairspray, Wicked and Departure Lounge will play Enjolras.

The production marks the West End debut for both Craig Mather as Marius and Lisa-Anne Wood as Cosette.

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.


Steven Webb, Ashleigh Gray and newcommer Benedict Salter will front Ian McFarlane‘s musical Betwixt! when the show opens at Trafalgar Studios 2 on 28 July (previews from 26 July 2011).

Betwixt! tells the story of New York writer Bailey (Benedict Salter) and his flamboyant roommate Cooper (Steven Webb) who are catapulted into a strange enchanted world. Their arrival fulfils a prophecy telling of a brave hero and a great queen and they are tasked with searching out a fading daytime TV star who is the only hope for saving a pregnant princess from losing the throne. The musical promises “sitcom-styled dialogue and a toe-tapping score”.

Webb’s stage credits include Lakeboat and Prairie du Chien at the Arcola, Departure Lounge at Waterloo East, Alan Bennet’s The History Boys in the West End and on tour, Shit-Mix at Trafalgar Studios and the title role in Dick Whittington at the Lyric Hammersmith.

Ashleigh Gray, who plays Miranda, is best known for covering and playing Elphaba in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria. Her other credits include Taboo, Grease and the Notes From New York concert series. Benedict Salter makes his West End debut with the production.

Further casting is still to be announced.

Betwixt!, which plays a limited run at Trafalgar Studios to 20 August 2011, has choreography by Grace Harrington and is produced by Christopher D Clegg.