Seven months on from when West End theatres shut their doors, there is a glimmer of hope for the musical theatre world! Last night, it was announced that “Les Misérables: The Staged Concert”, starring Michael Ball, would open at the Sondheim Theatre in London for a run of six weeks in December and January.
The news was announced during the final of Britain’s Got Talent, following a performance from the casts of Les Misérables, Mary Poppins and The Phantom of the Opera. The concert will coincide with the show’s 35th anniversary and will open on 5th December 2020.
We “Dreamed A Dream”!
Michael Ball is no stranger to ‘Les Mis’ – it was the show in which he made his West End debut back in 1985, performing as Marius Pontmercy. This time, he’ll be playing the lead of Javert, in an “all-star cast” alongside Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Matt Lucas.
Producer Cameron Mackintosh, who hopes that more shows can return to theatres by Spring 2021, said:
The beautiful new Sondheim Theatre will re-open its doors so audiences can once again leap to their feet thrilled by Victor Hugo’s timelessly uplifting story of the survival of the human spirit told through Boublil and Schönberg’s amazing iconic score
– Cameron Mackintosh, on the return of Les Misérables
“The fightback is starting”
Speaking about his return to theatres on Britain’s Got Talent last night, Michael Ball said that:
We have started rehearsals… we were talking about it two weeks ago – we heard the news about the pantos opening, and we thought, “what could we do, what could Cameron [Mackintosh] do?”. And the only show that we could possibly think about doing in a lockdown situation, and a socially distanced situation is the concert of Les Mis.
– Michael Ball, speaking on Britain’s Got Talent
The theatre will be taking the necessary precautions, including social distancing measures in the auditorium and on stage.
The theatre looks amazing, the audiences will be safe. The fightback is starting.
– Michael Ball, speaking on Britain’s Got Talent
Tickets for the show will go on sale on Wednesday 14th October at 13:00 CEST.
Michael Ball at the Eurovision Song Contest 1992
Following Samantha Janus’ tenth-place finish in Rome, the BBC internally selected Michael Ball to represent the United Kingdom in Malmö. Eight songs competed in the national selection with “One Step Out of Time” selected as the UK’s entry. The song won the televote with 153,792 votes.
At the contest, Michael finished as runner-up behind Ireland’s Linda Martin. He received four sets of 12 points – more than the eventual winner Ireland. In total, he scored 139 points. The song peaked at number 20 in the UK Singles Chart. It would take another 28 years for Michael to finally reach number one in the UK charts – a feat he reached in 2020 with a cover of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” with Captain Sir Tom Moore.
Are you glad to see theatre doors swinging open in London again? Will you be buying a ticket to watch ‘Les Mis’ in concert?
Let us know in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA.
