From today you can now download Les Misérables – The Staged Concert, starring Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Matt Lucas, Carrie Hope Fletcher, John Owen-Jones and so many more that we couldn’t fit in in one sentence!
The staged version of the concert ran at the Gielgud Theatre last year while the newly-christened Sondheim Theatre underwent refurbishments. The concert had a company of over 65, including Rob Houchen as Marius, Bradley Jaden as Enjolras, Katy Secombe as Madame Thénardier, Shan Ako as Éponine and Lily Kerhoas as Cosette.
The Company also includes Rosanna Bates, Adam Bayjou, CiaránBowling, Oliver Brenin, Earl Carpenter, Vinny Coyle, Samantha Dorsey, Tamsin Dowsett, Nicola Espallardo, Celia Graham, Holly-Anne Hull, Oliver Jackson, Christopher Jacobsen, Gavin James, Will Jennings, Ciaran Joyce, Katie Kerr, Sarah Lark, Joanna Loxton, Craig Mather, Stephen Matthews, James Nicholson, Rosa O’Reilly, Claire Parrish, Sophie Reeves, Grainne Renihan, Leo Roberts, Niall Sheehy, Raymond Walsh, Gemma Wardle and Andrew York.
To download a filmed version of the concert, recorded live at the Gielgud Theatre, you can visit the Les Misérables website. The concert will cost £9.99 and for every download, The Mackintosh Foundation will donate £5 to be split between charity Acting For Others, the Musicians Union Coronavirus Hardship Fund and Captain Tom Moore’s Walk For The NHS fund. You can add an extra donation yourself through the site, and Cameron Mackintosh has kick-started the fundraising by donating £100,000 from The Mackintosh Foundation.
Cameron Mackintosh said today:
“I am delighted that UPHE Content Group is releasing Les Misérables -The Staged Concert as a digital download at this time of crisis as it also allows my Foundation to help raise much needed funds for particular charities that are under such pressure at the moment.
Alongside the concert we will also be releasing a specially created mini documentary “Bringing it Home” which includes footage of the stars at their homes talking about their experiences both of live theatre and the show plus never seen before backstage footage that wonderfully captures the humour, camaraderie and thrill of performing to live audiences in these hauntingly beautiful and exciting historic buildings.
“In these extraordinary times we hope that fans and everyone who loves the theatre will be reminded of how special a theatrical experience can be, going to the very heart of our British culture, which make our nation so special and unique. I am exceptionally proud of everyone involved in the making of the Concert and very much hope my Foundation will be able to help a raise a considerable amount of money for these deserving charities.”
So get ready to stand up on that kitchen chair, makeshift flag in hand and belt your heart out along to this unique version of this classic, we know we will be!