Alfie Boe and Michael Ball will star in an arena spectacular of Les Miserables at the OVO Hydro

Initial casting announced for Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular with Alfie Boe and Michael Ball among those starring in World tour's stop at the OVO Hydro!

Article Source: OVO Hydro
Last Updated: 14 February 2024 13:57

As Victor Hugo’s beloved musical phenomenon enters its 39th year in London, producers have announced that Alfie Boe and Killian Donnelly will share the role of Jean Valjean and Michael Ball and Bradley Jaden will share the role of Javert at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro from 3-6 October 2024, leading a cast and orchestra of over 65 in the forthcoming World Tour of LES MISÉRABLES THE ARENA SPECTACULAR.

Tickets are on sale here, with further casting to be announced soon.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh said: “The spectacular world arena tour of the Les Misérables concert has been a dream of mine for many years. With Les Mis' 40th phenomenal year starting this October, there couldn't be a better time for it to happen.

“A dream concert deserves a dream cast and I couldn't be more thrilled to announce that the first UK leg of the tour, which opens in Belfast in September and is already more than two thirds sold out, will star Alfie Boe or Killian Donnelly as Jean Valjean and Michael Ball or Bradley Jaden as Javert, heading a cast and orchestra of over 65.

“Many other favourite Les Misérables performers, chosen from all over the world, will be announced in a few weeks’ time. After the UK, the world tour will play many cities across Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Korea, Japan and several other Asian cities before it returns to Europe and beyond.

“With the Les Misérables movie now being re-released in cinemas across the world in its completely remixed digital glory, sounding and looking better than ever, and with the London and North American productions still regularly breaking attendance records, Les Misérables is a true phenomenon – The People’s Musical – and the only musical ever to be simultaneously a hit on stage, screen and in concert arenas. Boublil and Schönberg, Herbert Kretzmer and I owe our inspiration to the genius of Victor Hugo's masterpiece.”

Multi-award-winning artist, Alfie Boe OBE, has established a reputation as one of the most powerful and prestigious voices in the UK. ‘The Nations favourite tenor’ is often referred to as ‘West End and Broadway Royalty’, with an almost 3-decade recording career under his belt so far including numerous sold-out headline tours in the UK - as a solo artist and as part of his duo act with Michael Ball, ‘Ball and Boe’.

Michael Ball is Britain’s leading musical theatre star. For over 30 years, he has been at the top of his game, starring in musical theatre productions in the West End and on Broadway, winning critical acclaim, a devoted following and awards for his stage work and recording career. Ball portrayed Javert in Les Misérables – The Staged Concert (Gielgud Theatre)which he will reprise for the show’s Arena Spectacular this Autumn. He has previously taken on leading roles in Sweeney Todd and Hairspray, among others.

Killian Donnelly has just finished playing Jean Valjean in Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, having previously played the role to critical acclaim in both the West End production and the sell-out UK and Ireland tour. His theatre credits include the role of ‘The Phantom’ in The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre and ‘Charlie Price’ in Kinky Boots on Broadway. In 2010, he played the role of ‘Courfeyrac’ in the “25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables” at The O2 Arena, and also played the role of ‘Combeferre’ in the multi-award-winning film, which will be re-released in cinemas this month to mark its 10th Anniversary.

Bradley Jaden recently received rave reviews for his performance in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre. He also appeared as Raoul in Broadway Italia's brand new production of The Phantom of the Opera in Trieste and most notably as Javert in Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, a role he also played in the final cast of the musical at the Queen’s Theatre.

The World Tour begins as the stage musical enters its 40th revolutionary year and will run throughout the upcoming 40th anniversary celebrations for the world’s longest running musical in 2025.

LES MISÉRABLES THE ARENA SPECTACULAR will be expanded from the hugely successful Les Misérables The Staged Concert which played for over 200 record-breaking performances in the West End. It will have an extraordinary new design specifically created for arenas (and large theatres) with audiences of between 3,000 and 5,000. This spectacular production will have a company of over 110 actors, musicians and crew featuring a core cast with a great number of celebrated Les Mis guest stars appearing as their schedules allow.

Nick Grace is one of the World’s leading producers and general managers of international touring productions. In the last 25 years, they have presented shows in 59 countries worldwide including BATMAN LIVE – World Arena Tour, WALKING WITH DINOSAURS – The Arena Spectacular, BLUE MAN GROUP World Tour and the ongoing MAMMA MIA! UK & International Tour.

The critically acclaimed production of Les Misérables continues to play at the Sondheim Theatre, and several other local language productions are currently on or in preparation around the world. To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Oscar-winning movie, a remastered and remixed version will be released in cinemas Nationwide on 14th February.

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