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SONDHEIM THEATRE

Les Miserables

Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed fully-staged new production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables is now playing at London’s Sondheim Theatre.

This brilliant new staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed “Les Mis for the 21st Century” (Huffington Post), “a reborn dream of a production” (Daily Telegraph) and “perfect theatre in a perfect theatre” (Sunday Telegraph).

The magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the songs; “I Dreamed a Dream”, “On My Own”, “Bring Him Home”, “One Day More”, “Master Of The House” and many more. Seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries and in 22 languages, Les Misérables is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.

Artfully weaving political rebels, passionate lovers and bitter rivalries, Les Mis the musical tickets are the perfect way to experience first-hand the show that keeps audiences coming back for One Day More of this magnificent musical masterpiece.

Les Misérables tickets are the best theatre gift you can give, whether you’re seeing London’s favourite musical for the first time or returning for the full Les Mis experience nearly four decades after the show first opened.

Treat the whole family to Les Misérables theatre tickets – it’s a dream of a show for theatre lovers of all ages! Les Mis makes any date-night special and any anniversary a night to remember. You’ll never forget your first trip to Les Misérables – and once is never enough.

 

What’s Les Misérables about?

Victor Hugo’s great tale of love, tragedy and redemption spans decades and tells the tale of reformed convict, Jean Valjean, as he attempts to rebuild his life after serving nineteen years in jail for stealing bread to feed his sister’s starving child. 

Valjean, known as Prisoner 24601, is freed from prison but breaks his parole and despite his best attempts to start a new life, is hounded by his arch-nemesis, the moralistic Inspector Javert.

Set some half a century after ‘La Révolution Française’, Les Mis is often referred to as the musical of the French Revolution but in fact, it is set against the backdrop of the June Rebellion. This revolt saw pitch battles fought in the streets of Paris between student revolutionaries and the authorities; the heroism of these students is key to much of the action in Les Misérables the musical. 

Love, loss, revenge and redemption lie at the heart of this epic story, as the tale unfolds of Valjean, Javert, Marius, Eponine and Cosette – some of musical theatre’s greatest ever characters.

Les Misérables is a musical with songs by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, with English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French lyrics co-written by Jean-Marc Natel. Les Misérables is one of the greatest novels in French literature and today, a defining moment in the great tradition of musical theatre. Truly outstanding, “Les Miz” is regularly voted one of the most popular musicals of all time.

Les Misérables songs

Les Misérables has one of musical theatre’s most recognisable scores. It features I Dreamed a Dream, the song which made a global star of Susan Boyle...but the songs themselves are the true stars of Les Mis. They include: At The End of the Day, Lovely Ladies, Who Am I?, Castle on a Cloud, Master of the House, Look Down, Stars, Do You Hear The People Sing?, In My Life, A Heart Full of Love, One Day More, On My Own, Little People, A Little Fall of Rain, Drink with Me, Bring Him Home, Turning and Empty Chairs at Empty Tables.

Les Misérables awards

The original West End production of Les Misérables was nominated for four Olivier Awards, including a win for Patti Lupone as Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. Since then, the show has added more wins at the Olivier Awards, including the Audience Award for Most Popular Show in 2012 and 2014.

The 1987 original Broadway production of Les Mis won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design.
 

Five ‘Formidable’ Facts about Les Misérables

Think you know your Jean Valjean from your Thénardiers? Here are five fascinating facts about the West-End’s longest running musical:

1. Alain Boublil was inspired to adapt Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables after visiting London to see a revival of the musical, ‘Oliver!’…Charles Dickens’ creation ‘The Artful Dodger’ instantly reminded him of Hugo’s ‘Gavroche’ and the rest is history!
2. Les Misérables is known affectionately as “Les Mis” or “Les Miz”. It was famously nicknamed ‘The Glums’ by a critic when it first opened in London (a reference to a segment of 1950s radio show Take it from Here). In fact, the term ‘Les Misérables’ is not a reference to misery, but instead a reference to the poor and downtrodden of French society. It’s the way that the characters in Les Mis strive through adversity that makes it such a triumph.
3. The score for Les Misérables was originally written entirely in French. Since crossing the channel, it has also been translated into at least 21 different languages including Argentinian, Castillian, Czech, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, Flemish, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Japanese, Mauritian Creole, Mexican Spanish, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, and Swedish.
4. In 2004, a special performance of Les Misérables took place at Windsor Castle to honour French President Jacques Chirac, celebrating a hundred years of the ‘entente cordiale’. This declaration of friendship between Britain and France ushered in an era of peace after many centuries of conflict.
5. The filming of the 2012 movie version of Les Misérables took a toll on two of its biggest stars; Hugh Jackman dropped 15 pounds in weight to play Valjean’s scenes at the start of the movie, even going without water for 36 hours before filming. Anne Hathaway went even further, losing 25 pounds – the experience left her mentally and physically exhausted.

What do critics think of Les Misérables?

“DAZZLING STAGING AND MEGAWATT PERFORMANCES” - The Times
“PERFECT THEATRE IN A PERFECT THEATRE” - Sunday Telegraph
“LES MIS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY” - Huffington Post
“A REBORN DREAM OF A PRODUCTION” - Daily Telegraph

Cast

 

Les Misérables creatives

Concept, Book and Original French Lyrics – Alain Boublil

Book and Music – Claude-Michel Schönberg

Lyricist – Herbert Kretzmer

Director – James Powell

Director – Laurence Connor

Set & Image Designer – Matt Kinley

Lighting Designer – Paule Constable

Sound Designer – Mick Potter

Costume Designer – Andreane Neofitou

Costume Designer – Christine Rowland

Musical Staging – Geoffrey Garratt

Adaptation – Trevor Nunn and John Caird

Original Text – Jean-Marc Natel

Duration

2 hours 50 minutes with one interval

Good To Know

Patrons please note: the performance includes gunfire, smoke and flashing light effects. Please note: The seating plans are not accurate representations of the auditorium. While we try to ensure they are as close to the actual theatre plan as possible we cannot guarantee they are a true representation. Customers with specific requirements are advised to discuss these with the theatre prior to booking to avoid any confusion.

Latecomers may not be admitted until a suitable break in the performance.

Location

SONDHEIM THEATRE

Additional Details & FAQ

Access Information

For information on accessibility please contact 0344 482 5137.

Cancellation Policy

No refund or exchanges are available after purchase.

How Does It Work

You will receive a confirmation email with your e-ticket attached, you must bring the e-ticket on the day.  We recommend you arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before the performance start time. 

Suitable For Children

Age recommendation: 8+

Please note: The performance includes gunfire, smoke and flashing light effects.

Everyone, regardless of age, must have their own ticket to enter the theatre. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by and sat next to a ticketholder who is at least 18 years old. Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted. Latecomers may not be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. You may not bring food or drink purchased elsewhere.

Where Do I Go

Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6BA 

  • By Train-CharingCross (approx. 550m) 
  • By Tube- Piccadilly Circus (approx. 250m) By Bus -14, 19, 38

Reviews

4.8(50 reviews)
4.1 ( 50 seat reviews )

  • Christian R. Timmann

    Sep 25, 2023

    For me Les Misérables is the best musical ever. I saw it no the forth time and every time its stunning. The new staging is really getting the musical in the next century. A must see.

  • A Hawley

    Sep 10, 2023

    Excellent

  • Frank Gleeson

    Aug 22, 2023

    Just an amazing venue, Staff and cast, well worth the trip, from Ireland to see one of the best shows in the west end

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