Theatre News

Musicals Extend: Les Mis, Phantom & Wicked

| London's West End |

1 October 2012

Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera have both extended booking until 26 October 2013.
The West End production of Les Miserables is the world’s longest running musical having played 7,602 productions at the Palace before transferring to its current home – the Queen’s Theatre – in 2004. The musical, written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, tells a story of love and bravery in 19th-century France during the revolution.

The musical has been produced in 42 countries worldwide and translated into 21 languages. Producer Cameron Mackintosh is currently developing a film adaptation, which is due to open in cinemas this Christmas. The show has been directed and adapted by Trevor Nunn and John Caird, and at present is staring Geronimo Rauch as Jean Valjean.

The Phantom of the Opera premiered in London in 1986. It has been seen by over 100
million people across 25 countries. This haunting musical traces the tragic love story of a beautiful opera
singer and a young composer shamed by his physical appearance into a shadowy existence beneath the
majestic Paris Opera House.

Directed by Harold Prince, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart, the show
is currently starring Marcus Lovett as The Phantom and Simon Thomas as Raoul.

Wicked has also extended its booking period to 2 November 2013. Now in its 7th year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wicked is the 18th longest-running West End musical.

Based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, Wicked tells the story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two girls who first meet as sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Wicked has music and lyrics by Steven Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman and is directed by two-time Tony award-winner Joe Mantello.

From 29 October the cast will include Louise Dearman (Elphaba), Gina Beck (Glinda), Ben Freeman (Fiyero), Louise Plowright (Madame Morrible) and Keith Bartlett (The Wizard).