Features

10 of the best Les Miserables performances from the last decade

To mark the tenth anniversary of ”Les Mis” at the Queen’s Theatre, we pick ten of the most popular performances since 2004

Ben Hewis

Ben Hewis

| London | London's West End |

3 April 2014

Norm Lewis – Javert

Lewis played Javert in the 2006 revival of Les Misérables on Broadway and reprised the role in the West End production. He also played the role in the 25th anniversary concert at the O2 arena.

Alfie Boe – Jean Valjean

At the age of 17, Boe was overheard by a client whilst working as a mechanic, the client suggested he should audition for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, the rest, as they say, is history. After hearing him sing "Bring Him Home", Cameron Mackintosh invited Alfie to perform in the 25th anniversary concert. Boe then appeared as Jean Valjean in 2011, for which he won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Takeover in a Role.

Sierra Boggess – Fantine

Boggess began her career as understudy for Cosette on the U.S. national tour of Les Misérables, but ultimately gained fame playing Christine Daaé in Love Neve Dies. In July 2012, Boggess joined the cast of Les Mis in the West End taking over the role of Fantine. She returns to Phantom in May this year to play Christine opposite Norm Lewis' Phantom.

Matt Lucas – Monsieur Thénardier

The Little Britain star played Thénardier in the 25th anniversary concert. A year later, he reprised the role at The Queen's Theatre. He has since collaborated with Alfie Boe to record a duet of "The Impossible Dream" on Boe's debut album.

Samantha Barks – Eponine

Barks starred as Éponine on the West End from June 2010 to June 2011, as well as in the 25th anniversary concert. She reprised the role in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables, learning the news of her casting from Cameron Mackintosh whilst on stage during an Oliver! curtain call.

John Owen-Jones – Jean Valjean

In 1998, Owen-Jones became the youngest person ever to play the role of Jean Valjean full-time when he took over in the London production at the age of 26. He reprised the role Queen's Theatre in 2005, before playing the role on Broadway in 2007. He appeared in the 25th Anniversary International Touring production which ended in October 2010 at the Barbican.

Danielle Hope – Eponine

Hope appeared as Éponine in 2012, picking up a WhatsOnStage Award nomination for Best Takeover in a Role for her performance.

Carrie Hope Fletcher – Eponine (and young Eponine)

Youtube sensation Carrie Hope Fletcher won Best Takeover in a Role at the WhatsOnStage Awards this year and gave a lovely acceptance speech. Having played Young Eponine at the Palace Theatre in 2001, she is one of only a few to have performed in the show at both venues.

Lucie Jones – Cosette

Jones found fame as a contestant on the X Factor. In May 2010, she appeared as Cosette in the West End production of Les Mis. She has been romantically linked to anniversary concert co-star Nick Jonas and is close friends with Samantha Barks.

Ramin Karimloo – Jean Valjean, Enjolras and Marius

In 2002 Karimloo made his West End debut playing Feuilly and understudying the roles of Marius and Enjolras. He returned in 2004, to play Enjolras and then again in 2011 to play Jean Valjean, for which he won the 2013 WhatsOnStage Award for Best Takeover in a Role. Ramin has recently reprised his role as Valjean in the Broadway revival, his Broadway debut.

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