Honoring the upcoming 40th anniversary of Les Miserables, Cameron Mackintosh has pulled together a UK-wide amateur theatre initiative titled "Let the People Sing.", which gives amateur performance groups the chance to put their spin on a global classic.

About Let The People Sing

Set to run from March to August 2025, the project will see 11 community-wide productions of Les Misrables staged across the country. For the first time, amateur theatre groups in the UK will have the chance to perform the full musical. The cities hosting these productions are Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Norwich, Porthcurno in Cornwall, and Swansea.

In each city, a leading amateur society will take the helm as the main producer, collaborating with other local groups to create a truly community-wide theatrical experience. These amateur groups will receive support and mentorship from the West End's and international associate creative teams, ensuring that each production is unique and tailored to its local community.

A Brief History Of Les Miserables

Since its debut in 1985, the musical that has been making magic for nearly 40 years has become one of the longest-running in theatre history. Its journey began as a novel published by Victor Hugo in 1862. Set in 19th-century France, the story focuses on themes of justice, redemption, love, and the fight against oppression, following Jean Valjean, a former convict as he seeks redemption under the scrutiny of Inspector Javert.

The novel's transition to the stage began in Paris in 1980, with a musical adaptation by composer Claude-Michel Schnberg and lyricist Alain Boublil. Although it received a mixed reception, British producer Cameron Mackintosh saw potential in the production. He brought the musical to London's West End, where it premiered at the Barbican Centre on October 8, 1985.

From its West End origins, Les Misrables expanded to Broadway, opening at the Broadway Theatre on March 12, 1987. It quickly became a cultural phenomenon, winning eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and cementing its place in the hearts of theatre-goers. The show's success is not confined to English-speaking countries; it has been translated into 22 languages and performed in over 44 countries, reaching an estimated 70 million people worldwide.