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LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
THE MUSICAL PHENOMENON PREMIERES IN
MELBOURNE IN JUNE 2014
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The acclaimed new production of Boublil & Schönberg's legendary musical LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new
staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, will premiere at Melbourne’s Her
Majesty’s Theatre in 2014. This much loved blockbuster musical will commence previews in June and opening night
will be held on July 3rd 2014. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketek.
The new production of LES MISÉRABLES has been praised by critics, fans and new audiences, breaking box office
records internationally and inspiring filmmakers to make the outstandingly successful movie which went on to win 3
Oscar’s®, 3 Golden Globes® and 4 BAFTA’s.
Following an extensive search to find Australia’s brightest stars, Cameron Mackintosh is thrilled with the talented
cast for this year’s highly-anticipated return of LES MISÉRABLES.
“Twenty-five years ago I set out to find Australia’s stars of the future for my first Australian production of LES
MISÉRABLES. It launched the careers of some of Australia’s biggest stars, like Marina Prior and Anthony Warlow, and
I’m thrilled with this amazing cast of performers that I’m hoping will also become household names in the future.”
Cameron Mackintosh said.
Playing the iconic role of Jean Valjean is established actor and musical theatre star Simon Gleeson. Simon has
worked extensively in theatre, film and television in Australia and the UK, including performing in London’s
prestigious West End. Simon has been nominated for two Helpmann Awards for Mamma Mia! and Love Never Dies,
a Sydney Theatre Award for Love Never Dies and most recently a Green Room Award for Chess.
“I’m so thrilled to be playing Valjean in the new Australian production of LES MISÉRABLES,” Simon said. “With
arguably the most breathtaking score in musical theatre history, LES MISÉRABLES transformed musical theatre when
it first opened. The show remains iconic and relevant today because it deals with themes of love, courage, the
human spirit and the difficult choices we make which define who we are and what we stand for.”
NIDA-trained Hayden Tee will play Valjean’s lifelong antagonist Javert. Hayden has appeared in many musical
theatre and opera productions around the world, including Being Earnest, My Fair Lady and in 2005 he played
Marius in the 20th anniversary West End production of LES MISÉRABLES.
Starring as Fantine is Patrice Tipoki. Known to Australian audiences from lead roles in The Lion King and Wicked,
Patrice has been preparing for the role of Fantine since she was a little girl. Hailing from a musical family, she first
saw LES MISÉRABLES in Brisbane at the age of 6 and ever since would perform songs from the show for anyone who
would listen.
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
Playing Madame Thénardier is Lara Mulcahy. Lara has appeared in countless stage, TV and film productions including
three Baz Luhrmann films, Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby. Lara won a Green Room Award for
her performance in Mamma Mia! Joining Lara in the role of the villainous Monsieur Thénardier is Australian theatre
and cabaret favourite, Trevor Ashley. Co-writer and star of the recent stage hit, Little Orphan Trashley, Trevor has
appeared in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical, Hairspray: The Musical and Jerry Springer: The Opera.
Making her professional debut, WAAPA 2012 graduate Kerrie Anne Greenland will play Eponine with fellow
graduate Emily Langridge cast in the beloved role of Cosette. Emily was recently seen in The Production Company’s
Gypsy. Chris Durling is excited to be playing Enjolras, the passionate student leader of the revolution, in Melbourne
next year. Chris has recently performed in the Australian and New Zealand productions of Jersey Boys, Grease, as
well as a member of the popular children’s group The Crocmen with Bindi Irwin. Playing the love struck revolutionary
Marius is Helpmann Award nominated performer Euan Doidge. Euan has appeared in recent productions of Legally
Blonde, A Chorus Line and Grease.
Twenty-four of Australia’s finest talents join the LES MISÉRABLES ensemble, with the child roles of Little Cosette,
Young Eponine, and Gavroche to be cast in early 2014.
To coincide with the production’s premiere in Melbourne, the State Library of Victoria will be hosting a world-first
exhibition, VICTOR HUGO: LES MISÉRABLES FROM PAGE TO STAGE. This ambitious international exhibition follows
the evolution of LES MISÉRABLES from one of the world’s greatest literary masterpieces into the most successful and
beloved stage musical of all time.
The exhibition will include original LES MISÉRABLES scripts, scores, costumes, set designs, posters, photographs and
films that will take visitors backstage and into the heart of this musical phenomenon. It reveals the Paris of Hugo’s
time and explores the events that shaped his most successful work and will display rarely seen sketches by Hugo that
have inspired the design of this 25th Anniversary Production. This exhibition is a must see for all Les Mis fans and runs
from 18 July until 9 November 2014.
"Major theatre productions like LES MISÉRABLES generate significant economic benefits for Victoria, attracting
thousands of visitors from interstate and overseas," Victorian Premier Denis Napthine said.
"We are proud that Melbourne has been chosen as the host city for this outstanding production. Sir Cameron
Mackintosh has been a great friend to Victoria and was last here with the outstanding and sell-out production of
Mary Poppins a few years ago."
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century revolutionary France, LES MISÉRABLES is the world’s longest running
musical and has been seen by over 65 million people worldwide in 42 countries and in 22 languages, LES
MISÉRABLES is undisputedly one of the most popular musicals of all time. Having won more than 100 major awards
around the world it has been hailed as the most stirring, moving musical ever. Based on Victor Hugo’s classic
novel, it is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES
MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream”, “On My Own”, “Stars”, “Bring Him Home”, “Do You
Hear the People Sing?”, “One Day More”, “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables”, “Master of the House” and many more.
Cameron Mackintosh’s production of LES MISÉRABLES is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and
is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and
original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel. Adapted by Trevor Nunn and John Caird, it has additional
material by James Fenton. The 25th Anniversary Production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell and
designed by Matt Kinley. Original costumes are by Andreane Neofitou, additional costumes by Christine Rowland,
lighting design by Paule Constable and sound design by Mick Potter. Executive Producer of the Australian production
is Michael Cassel.
The Australian premiere of Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production, LES MISÉRABLES, arrives at Her
Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne from June 2014.
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
www.ticketek.com.au/lesmis
1300 795 012
EPK Footage and production images can be downloaded as below:
lesmismedia.michaelcassel.com
Password: LM*24601
For further information www.lesmis.com/au
All media enquiries to AKA AUSTRALIA
Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] +613 8866 8336 or +61 410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] +613 8866 8339 or +61 403 212 161
CAST
SIMON GLEESON – Jean Valjean
Stage: Love Never Dies, Mamma Mia!, Shout, Jolson, Les Misérables, Eureka, Chess Hipbone Sticking Out, Harbour,
The Republic of Myopia (STC). UK Stage: The Far Pavilions, Imagine This (West End), Three Sides, The Silver Lake,
Certified Male, Shoes, Southwark Fair (Royal National Theatre). Film and television: City Homicide, Blue Heelers,
SeaChange. UK Film and television: EastEnders (regular), Kombat and My Life In Ruins (Playtone). Simon recently
appeared in Rupert for Melbourne Theatre Company.
HAYDEN TEE – Javert
New Zealand born, Hayden trained at NIDA and is acclaimed for his work in theatre, concert and cabaret throughout
New Zealand, Australia, UK and US. Based in New York, Hayden has appeared in nine USA productions including
Camelot (King Arthur), 1776 (Rutledge), Into the Woods (Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince) and originated the role of Jack in
the new musical Being Earnest. Other International credits include; Les Misérables (Marius) London, Cats (Gus) and
leads in Australian productions of Titanic, South Pacific, Little Women, Dead Man Walking.
PATRICE TIPOKI – Fantine
Patrice Tipoki most recently enjoyed alternating the role of Elphaba in the hit musical Wicked. She also played Nala
in Disney’s The Lion King and understudied Killer Queen, Scaramouche and Oz in the Australasian Tour of We Will
Rock You. Other music theatre credits include Anyone Can Whistle (Fay Apple), Songs for a New World, West Side
Story (Maria) and Prodigal (Maddy). Patrice toured and recorded with Sony BMG, received a BA at WAAPA and is
from a very musical family. Patrice is a proud wife and mother.
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
LARA MULCAHY – Madame Thénardier
Lara is an award winning actress who has delighted audiences worldwide with her performances. A WAAPA
graduate, her theatre credits include principal roles in Mamma Mia! (Australia & London), Les Misérables, Mame,
Dirty Blonde and many more. Lara featured in three Baz Luhrmann films: Natalie in Strictly Ballroom, Mome Fromage
in Moulin Rouge and The Great Gatsby. From sharing the stage with fellow comedians in Celebrity Autobiography at
the Sydney Opera House, co-hosting the The Circle or appearing on Spicks and Spicks, Lara has enjoyed a full and
varied career.
TREVOR ASHLEY – Monsieur Thénardier
Trevor Ashley made his musical theatre debut creating the role of ‘Miss Understanding’ in the world premiere of
Priscilla Queen of The Desert – The Musical. He followed this with Gale Edwards’ Jerry Springer the Opera and most
recently, he played Edna Turnblad in David Atkins’ production of Hairspray. Trevor has performed his solo shows
throughout the world. Most recently, Trevor debuted "Liza On An E" on London’s West End to great critical acclaim.
KERRIE ANNE GREENLAND – Eponine
A graduate of WAAPA in 2012 Kerrie Anne was cast as The Witch in Into the Woods, Smitty in How to Succeed in
Business Without Really Trying and Calliope in Xanadu. She performed the National Anthem for Cricket Australia’s
Hobart Test and was a finalist in the 2012 Cabaret Showcase in her self-produced Memoirs. In 2013 she starred in De
Lovely – A Cole Porter Celebration Concert with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Orchestra at the Sydney Opera
House.
EMILY LANDGRIDGE – Cosette
Emily graduated WAAPA in 2012, with a Bachelor of Music Theatre. While at WAAPA, Emily played Kira in Xanadu
and featured in Into the Woods, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and more. Soon after graduating,
Emily made her professional debut in 2013 in Gypsy and Pirates of Penzance with The Production Company. Emily is
thrilled to be playing her dream role of Cosette in the new Australian production of Les Misérables.
CHRIS DURLING – Enjolras
Chris graduated from the University of Ballarat – Arts Academy. Credits include: Jersey Boys (performed the roles of
both Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio), Fame (Nick Piazza), An Officer and a Gentleman - workshop (Zac Mayo), Saturday
Night (Artie), High School Musical (Troy Bolton), John & Jen (John), Follies (Young Buddy), Damn Yankees, My Fair
Lady (Freddy), a cabaret with Broadway composer John Bucchino and, most recently, the role of Doody in Grease.
EUAN DOIDGE – Marius
Originally from Mt Gambier in South Australia, Euan landed his first major role, Paul San Marco, in the Australian
Production of A Chorus Line, for which he was nominated as Best Supporting Actor at the 2012 Helpmann Awards.
Credits since then include The Production Company’s Anything Goes and The Producers, the Australian tour of
Legally Blonde, where he played the role of Nikos/Padamadan, and most recently the national tour of Grease.
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
LES MISÉRABLES REVIEWS
‘THRILLING, SPECTACULAR & UNFORGETTABLE’
The New York Times
‘SPLENDIDO! A COMPLETELY SPECTACULAR NEW STAGING’
El Pais Catalunya, Madrid
‘A FIVE STAR HIT, ASTONISHINGLY POWERFUL’
The Times, UK
‘MAGNIFICENT MISÉRABLES – ARTISTIC PERFECTION’
Le Figaro, Paris
‘THE NEW PRODUCTION OF LES MISÉRABLES QUALIFIES AS A TRULY EXTRAORDINARY THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE. IT IS
NOTHING LESS THAN STUNNING. THIS PRODUCTION IS SO BREATHTAKING, YOU SIMPLY WON’T WANT IT TO END.’
The Boston Globe
‘A DYNAMICALLY REIMAGINED HIT, THIS LES MISÉRABLES HAS IMPROVED WITH AGE’
Star Ledger
‘GOBSMACKING!
THIS NEW PRODUCTION OF THIS MASTERPIECE IS REFRESHING,
RETHOUGHT AND EVERY BIT AS EPIC.
NOT TO BE MISSED’
Chicago Tribune
‘THIS STUNNING NEW VERSION OF LES MIS’
Le Monde, Paris
‘ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE PRODUCTIONS OF THE LAST 25 YEARS’
La Vanguardia, Madrid
‘THIS NEW PRODUCTION SENDS SHIVERS DOWN YOUR SPINE’
Metro Paris
‘THIS ACTUALLY EXCEEDS THE ORIGINAL – LES MIS IS BORN AGAIN’
New York 1 Television
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
LES MISÉRABLES MAJOR AWARDS
OLIVIER AWARDS, 1985 - Best Actress in a Musical (Patti Lu Pone - Fantine)
TONY® AWARDS, 1987
Best Musical
Best Book (Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg)
Best Score (Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Herbert Kretzmer)
Best Director (Trevor Nunn & John Caird)
Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Frances Ruffelle - Eponine)
Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Michael Maguire - Enjolras)
Best Set Designer (John Napier)
Best Lighting Design (David Hersey)
NEW YORK DRAMA CRITICS AWARDS, 1987 - Best Musical
THEATRE WORLD AWARDS, 1987
Colm Wilkinson – Jean Valjean
Frances Ruffelle – Eponine
Michael Maguire – Enjolras
ORIGINAL LONDON CAST RECORDING
Silver and Gold Discs 1986
Platinum Disc 1988
Double Platinum Disc 1992
Triple Platinum Disc 1997
GRAMMY® AWARDS - Best Original Broadway Cast Recording 1988 and Les Misérables Symphonic Recording 1991
10TH ANNIVERSARY RECORDING
Silver Disc 1997 Gold Disc 1998
BBC RADIO 2 OLIVIER AUDIENCE AWARD - Nation’s Most Popular Musical, 2005 and 2012
GROUP LINE MUSICAL THEATRE AWARD, 2007 - Favourite Musical of the Last 15 Years
WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS, 2011 25th Anniversary Production at the Barbican, Best Musical Revival
25th Anniversary Concert at the O2, Best Ensemble Performance, Theatre Event of the Year
WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS, 2012 - Best Takeover in a Role (Alfie Boe – Jean Valjean)
WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS, 2013 - Best Takeover in a Role (Ramin Karimloo – Jean Valjean) & Best West End Show
BROADWAYWORLD: UK AWARDS, 2011 - Understudy of the Year (Scott Garnham – Enjolras)
THE MOUSETRAP AWARDS, 2012 - Best Score, Best Musical
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
LES MISÉRABLES AND AUSTRALIA
ORIGINAL PRODUCTION
Sydney, Theatre Royal
Melbourne, Princess Theatre
Perth, His Majesty's Theatre
Adelaide, Festival Theatre
Brisbane, Lyric Theatre
20.11.87 - 15.07.89
07.12.89 - 29.09.90
11.10.90 - 22.11.90
01.01.91 - 03.03.91
08.03.91 - 18.05.91
10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Sydney, Theatre Royal
Melbourne, Princess Theatre
Perth, Entertainment Centre
Brisbane, Lyric Theatre
18.11.97 - 13.06.98
20.06.98 - 19.12.98
27.03.99 - 23.05.99
05.06.99 - 08.08.99
Sydney, Domain (Australia Day Concert)
audience to date for LES MISÉRABLES

26.01.89 – 125,000 people attended making it the biggest single live
Australian cast members in previous productions include:
Anthony Warlow, Marina Prior, Debra Byrne, the late Rob Guest, Normie Rowe, Philip Quast, Robyn Arthur,
Silvie Paladino, Rachael Beck, David Campbell, Peter Cousens and Simon Burke.
AUSTRALIAN AWARDS
SYDNEY THEATRE CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS, 1987
Best Musical
Best Actor of the Year in a Musical (Philip Quast - Javert)
SYDNEY “MO” AWARDS
Female Music Theatre Performer (Debra Byrne - Fantine) 1988 & 1989
Male Music Theatre Performer (Philip Quast - Javert) 1988
Supporting Musical Theatre Performer (David Campbell -Marius) 1998
MELBOURNE GREEN ROOM AWARDS, 1990
Best Production (Cameron Mackintosh - Les Misérables)
Best Direction (Trevor Nunn, John Caird & Gale Edwards)
Set Design (John Napier)
Costume Design (Andreane Neofitou)
Male Lead (Rob Guest – Jean Valjean)
Female Lead (Marina Prior - Cosette)
Male Performer in a Supporting Role (Anthony Warlow - Enjolras)
Female Performer in a Supporting Role (Robyn Arthur – Madame Thenardier)
RECORDING - ORIGINAL LONDON CAST ALBUM
Gold Disc in Australia 1989 & Double Platinum Disc in Australia 1991
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
LES MISÉRABLES FACT & FIGURES
 Over 100 professional companies have opened LES MISÉRABLES worldwide
 Productions have played in 42 countries and 322 cities:
England, USA, Japan, Israel, Hungary, Australia, Iceland, Norway, Austria, Canada, Poland, Sweden, Holland, Denmark, New
Zealand, France, Czech Republic, Spain, Northern Ireland, Eire, Scotland, Wales, Bermuda, Malta, Philippines, Mauritius,
Singapore, Germany, Hong Kong, Korea, South Africa, Belgium, Finland, Argentina, Brazil, Estonia, China, Mexico,
Switzerland, Serbia, The Channel Islands And The Dominican Republic
 LES MISÉRABLES has been translated into 22 different languages:
English, Japanese, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, German, Polish, Swedish, Dutch, Danish, French, Czech,
Castillian, Mauritian Creole, Flemish, Finnish, Argentinian, Portuguese, Estonian, Mexican, Spanish and Korean.
 The extraordinary film produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Working Title and Universal released in late 2012 has
become a worldwide box office hit, winning 3 Golden Globe® awards and 3 Academy Award®.
 The production has played over 48,000 professional performances worldwide giving a total audience figure of
over 65 million people.
 On 8 October 2010 the London production of LES MISÉRABLES celebrated its 25th birthday. It is the longest
running musical in the world and on 1 June 2012 celebrated its 11,000th performance in London.
 To mark the 25th birthday of LES MISÉRABLES it made history by having three productions playing in London at
the same time, the original London production, the new 25th anniversary production played at the show’s
original home at the Barbican for 22 performances and there was a special anniversary concert at the O2 Arena.
 The 25th anniversary concert featured over 350 actors and musicians together with the casts of the London and
25th anniversary productions as well as many members of the original 1985 London cast. 32,000 people
attended this spectacular celebration which was broadcast to cinemas around the world and released on DVD
and Blu-Ray
 LES MISÉRABLES will reopen on Broadway in March 2014, 27 years after its Broadway debut in 1987.
 There have been 47 cast recordings of LES MISÉRABLES (including albums, singles, symphonic and digital
download albums). Both the original Broadway cast album and the Symphonic Recording won GRAMMY®
Awards.
 Each performance entails some 392 complete costumes consisting of some 1782 items of clothing and 31 wigs.
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
PRODUCER
CAMERON MACKINTOSH
For nearly 45 years Cameron Mackintosh has been producing more musicals than anyone else in history, including
the three longest-running musicals of all time, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Cats, which are still
running extraordinarily successfully across the world. Mary Poppins, his co-production with Disney, is now also
dispersing its magic globally. His new production of Miss Saigon, which has been a hit around the world, is the
longest running musical in the history of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and is going to open at the Prince Edward
Theatre in London in May where advance ticket sales are already breaking box office records . As well as original
musicals, Cameron enjoys producing new versions of such classics as My Fair Lady and Oliver! – which all continue to
be worldwide hits Other original international productions include Little Shop of Horrors, Side by Side by Sondheim,
Martin Guerre and The Witches of Eastwick. He also produced the most successful production ever of Stephen
Sondheim’s Follies in London. Les Misérables is now the longest-running musical in the world and, is going into its
29th year this month. The new 25th Anniversary Production has been a huge hit all over again; currently breaking
box office records across North America, Korea and Japan will open back on Broadway next March. His spectacular
new version of The Phantom of the Opera, having sold out a recent UK tour, is now embarking on a North America
tour. Over the next three years over 20 new productions of his musicals are due to open around the world.
Cameron, in conjunction with Working Title Films and Universal, has produced his first hugely successful film, the
Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA award winning Les Misérables, directed by Tom Hooper and starring Hugh Jackman,
Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway. Cameron owns seven historic theatres in London’s West End – the Prince of
Wales, Gielgud, Queen’s, Wyndham’s, Noël Coward, Novello and Prince Edward, all of which have undergone
spectacular refurbishment, giving him the opportunity to indulge his passion for architecture and the restoration of
old buildings. He is also the co-owner of Music Theatre International, the World's largest owner of secondary rights
of the great musicals. In the 1996 New Year’s Honours Cameron was knighted for his services to British theatre.
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
COMPOSER
CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHONBERG
Born in 1944 of Hungarian parents, Claude-Michel Schönberg began his career in France as a singer, writer and
producer of pop songs. In collaboration with Alain Boublil he is the book co-writer and the composer of La
Révolution Française, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre and The Pirate Queen. In 2008 his new musical,
Marguerite, in collaboration with Alain Boublil, Michel Legrand and Herbert Kretzmer opened at the Haymarket
Theatre in London. Claude-Michel has supervised overseas productions and co-produced several international cast
albums of his shows. In 2001 he composed his first ballet score, Wuthering Heights, which was created by the
Northern Ballet in 2002. His ballet, Cleopatra, which opened in 2011, was his second collaboration with David Nixon
and his seventh complete score. In 2012 Claude-Michel co-wrote the screenplay and reconceived the music for the
Les Misérables musical movie. Golden Globe winner, Oscar nominee and recent Grammy award winner for
outstanding contribution to the creative community, Mr. Schönberg married the English ballerina, Charlotte Talbot,
in 2003. He is the father of one son and two daughters.
BOOK & ORIGINAL LYRICS
ALAIN BOUBLIL
Alain Boublil is the author of the librettos and original lyrics for the musicals, La Révolution Française (1973), Les
Misérables (1980), Miss Saigon (1989), Martin Guerre (1996) and The Pirate Queen (2006), all in collaboration with
Claude-Michel Schönberg, as well as Marguerite (2008) with Michel Legrand, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Herbert
Kretzmer. Boublil is the recipient of two Tony Awards (Best Score and Best Book), two Grammys, two Victoire de la
Musique Awards and a Molière Award for Les Misérables. He received an Evening Standard Drama Award for Miss
Saigon and a Laurence Olivier Award for Martin Guerre. He is the author/librettist of Abbacadabra with songs by
Abba (1984), of the stage adaptation of Demy/Legrand film, Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, author of the play, The
Diary of Adam and Eve (based upon short stories by Mark Twain), and the prize-winning French novel, Les dessous
de soi. He co-wrote the screenplay and co-produced the soundtrack of the Golden Globe winning and Oscar
nominated film, Les Misérables. He has co-conceived and produces the Do You Hear The People Sing concert series,
a symphonic evening of songs from Boublil and Schönberg musicals, currently playing in major U.S. cities and soon to
tour Asia and Australia. He recently received a New York Chapter Honors Grammy award for his outstanding
contribution to the creative community. He is currently working on a revised version of Martin Guerre to open in
the U.K. in 2014/2015. Alain Boublil lives in New York with his wife, actress/singer Marie Zamora, and is the father of
four sons.
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
CREATIVE TEAM
LAURENCE CONNOR - Director
Laurence's directorial credits include: Jesus Christ Superstar (UK and Australian Arena Tour and released for DVD),
the entirely new stage production of The Phantom of the Opera (UK and US Tour), Oliver! (UK Tour) and the new
version of Miss Saigon (UK Tour and Worldwide) which received critical acclaim for two years and won the
Manchester Evening News Award for Best Touring Musical, Best New Foreign Production (Korea), Best Ensemble in a
Musical (Korea) and the Green Room Award for Best Director of a Musical (Australia). Laurence is also the CoDirector of the new version of Les Misérables which has enjoyed worldwide success and won awards including Best
Musical at the prestigious Manchester Evening News Awards. Laurence directed the 25th anniversary concert of The
Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall and the 25th Anniversary concert of Les Misérables at the O2 in
London both of which were simultaneously broadcast in cinemas worldwide and subsequently released on DVD.
Laurence has also been associated with the London productions of The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majestys
Theatre), Oliver! (Drury Lane), The King and I (London Palladium) and A Slice of Saturday Night (Liverpool Empire).
JAMES POWELL – Director
James was an actor for 12 years and was appearing in Les Misérables at London’s Palace Theatre, when he was asked
to take over the position of resident director in 1996. Since that time he has worked on a variety of productions and
during that time he was staff director at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, assisting Jude Kelly on a number of projects
including the Olivier Award-winning Singin’ in the Rain, which transferred from Leeds to the Royal National Theatre
in London. On returning to London he joined Cameron Mackintosh’s production of The Witches of Eastwick at the
Theatre Royal Drury Lane as resident director. He then went to Melbourne, Australia, to direct its first foreign
production for Jacobsen Entertainments. James returned from Australia to take on the position of associate director
on Les Misérables and oversaw the show’s move from its home of many years, the Palace Theatre, to the Queen’s
Theatre on Shaftesbury Ave. He was also invited to direct a concert version of the show in Scandinavia and a fullscale production in Berlin. Whilst maintaining his position as associate director on Les Misérables, James also worked
on Cameron’s new presentation Mary Poppins, originally in Bristol and then in London’s West End and on Broadway.
In June 2008 he directed the UK tour of Mary Poppins and in 2010 continued his association with the show directing
productions in Holland and Australia. James was delighted to renew his association with the Jacobsen Entertainment
Group when they asked him to direct their production of Dirty Dancing in London’s West End, a partnership that has
seen him direct the show in Toronto, Utrecht, Chicago, US tour and Berlin. He will direct the UK tour next year and
the Broadway production thereafter. James is delighted and honoured to be working on Cameron’s brand new
production of Les Misérables, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of a show he was involved in originally as an
actor and is now part of a new creative team.
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
MATT KINLEY – Scenic Designer
Matt began his career working extensively as a freelance costume and prop-maker for stage, film and video at
Robert Allsopp Associates before returning to study and subsequently graduate from the Motley theatre design
course in 1994. During the 90's he worked at the National Theatre, London, as designer, design associate and
draughtsman on over 40 productions, including Jerry Springer – The Opera, The Coast of Utopia and My Fair Lady.
Since leaving the National Theatre he has worked in commercial theatre as an associate designer on many shows
including The Woman in White, My Fair Lady (UK and USA tours), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK tour), Les Misérables
(Broadway and Holland), Equus (West End). As part of a long working partnership with Cameron Mackintosh Ltd,
Matt has adapted the original staging for the new version of Mary Poppins (UK/USA/Australia and Holland tours). In
2009 he was invited to redesign Les Misérables for its 25th Anniversary production in the UK/US/Spain (winner: Best
Set Designer - Premios del Teatro Musical 2011, winner: Best Set Design – Broadway World Spain 2011) and also
staged the 25th Anniversary concert production at the O2 Arena in London 2010. As part of The Phantom of the
Opera’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, Matt designed the fully staged concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 2011. Matt
continues to design for a variety of productions both abroad and in the UK, having recently completed a two part
Phantom prequel in Tokyo and the London premier of Jerry Herman's Dear World. Matt is currently designing Piaf to
open in Brazil autumn 2013.
PAULE CONSTABLE - Lighting Designer
Paule Constable’s theatre work includes, for the National: This House, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime, The Comedy of Errors, Danton’s Death, The Power of Yes, Phedre, Death and the King’s Horseman, War Horse
(also Broadway; Tony Award for Best Lighting); Waves (also international tour); …Some Trace of Her, baby
Girl/DNA/The Miracle, Women of Troy, War Horse, Saint Joan, Attempts on Her Life, The Caucasian Chalk Circle (tour
and Cottesloe); Southwarf Fair, Paul, Coram Boy, Translations, The House of Bernarda Alba, His Dark Materials
(Olivier Award for Best Lighting); Play Without Words, Three Sisters, Jumpers and Ivanov. For the RSC: As You Like It,
The Prince of Homburg, The Seagull, Tales From Ovid, The Dispute, Uncle Vanya, Beckett’s Shorts and The Mysteries.
Other work in theatre includes: Clybourne Park (also West End); Posh, The City, Krapp’s Last Tape, Forty Winks, Boy
Gets Girl, Night Songs, The Country, Dublin Carol and The Weir at the Royal Court; Love Never Dies, Oliver!, Ivanov
and Evita in the West End; Dancing at Lughnasa and Moon for the Misbegotten at The Old Vic; the 25th anniversary
tour of Les Misérables; Luise Miller; The Chalk Garden (Olivier Award for Best Lighting), The Man Who Had All the
Luck, Othello, Absurdia, The Cut, Proof and Little Foxes for the Donmar; The Good Soul of Szechuan, Generations and
Vernon God Little at the Young Vic; Blasted and Oliver Twist at the Lyric Hammersmith; Don Carlos at Sheffield
Crucible and in the West End (Olivier Award for Best Lighting); and five productions for Complicite. Opera includes:
Dr Dee: an English Opera for Manchester International Festival; Carmen, Faust, Rigoletto, The Marriage of Figaro,
The Magic Flute and Macbeth for the Royal Opera House; Die Meistersinger, Billy Budd, Rusalka, St Matthew Passion,
Cosi fan tutte, Giulio Cesare, Carmen, The Double Bill and La Boheme at Glyndebourne; Don Giovanni and Anna
Bolena for the Metropolitan Opera, New York; Der Rosenkavalier, Satyagraha, La clemenza di Tiro,
Gotterdammerung, The Rape of Lucretia and Manon for ENO; Peter Grimes for Opera North; The Tales of Hoffman
for Salzburg Festival; and productions throughout Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Dance
includes: Dorian Gray for Matthew Bourne; Baiser for Birmingham Royal Ballet; Seven Deadly Sins for the Royal
Ballet; and Naked for the Ballet Boyz.
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
MICK POTTER – Sound Designer
Mick holds a BA Honours degree in Creative Design at the Central School of Art and Design London. He has designed
the sound for numerous world premiere productions including: Saturday Night Fever (London, New York and
worldwide), Starlight Express (Las Vegas, USA Tour, UK tour), Bombay Dreams (London, New York), The Woman In
White (London, New York), the largest ever production of The Phantom Of The Opera (Las Vegas), the critically
acclaimed West End production of Evita (London) Ich War Noch Neimals In New York (Hamburg, Stuttgart), Der
Schuh Des Manitu (Berlin), Zorro The Musical (London, Paris and worldwide), Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit productions
of The Sound Of Music (London, Toronto, UK Tour) and Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (London),
Sister Act (London, Hamburg, Stuttgart), Les Misérables International 25th Anniversary Production (London, UK
Tour, USA Tour and worldwide), the world premiere of Love Never Dies (London and Australia) Andrew Lloyd
Webber's new production of The Wizard of Oz (London, Toronto), Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Miss
Saigon (Tokyo and worldwide), Betty Blue Eyes (London), the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Celebration at the 02
Arena (London), The Phantom Of The Opera 25th Anniversary Celebration at the Royal Albert Hall (London),
Cameron Mackintosh’s new UK touring production of The Phantom Of The Opera, the Broadway revival of Evita
(New York). Mick has created all new sound designs for the London production of Les Misérables and both the
London and New York productions of The Phantom Of The Opera. Awards include the 2005 Olivier Award in the UK
for Best Sound Design for the London Production of The Woman In White, the 2006 Parnelli Sound Designer Of The
Year Award in the USA for The Phantom Of The Opera in Las Vegas and the 2011 Green Room Award in Australia for
Best Sound Design for Love Never Dies.
STEPHEN BROOKER - Additional Orchestrations
Stephen Brooker has most recently held the role of musical supervisor for Mary Poppins (Australia) and Les
Misérables (Madrid). He was musical director of The Woman in White, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables,
Lautrec, Cats, The Secret Garden (RSC) and South Pacific (NT). He supervised Oliver!, My Fair Lady (USA and UK), Les
Misérables (New York revival), Cats, Hair, Miss Saigon, Dancing on Dangerous Ground, Carmen Jones, The Phantom
of the Opera, Grease, Fame, Hair, Saturday Night Fever, Peter Pan and Chess. He was musical consultant for the Les
Misérables 25th Anniversary Production and recently conducted the Classical Brit Awards (May 2011). Stephen was
composer and conductor for the original production of Burn the Floor and has written and produced music for many
corporate clients, including Coca-Cola, Walt Disney, Ford Motors, Toyota Cars, Volvo Cars, Sony Eriksson, BMW
Worldwide Launch 2008 and British Airways. He recently recorded and conducted the music for the worldwide
Canon media launch. Orchestral conducting includes: the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony
Orchestra, West Australian Symphony, Haifa Symphony, Bournemouth Symphony, Hamburg Sinfonia, Royal
Liverpool Philharmonic, London Mozart Players, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, London and Manchester Concert
Orchestras and the Ukraine Opera and Symphony Orchestra. He conducted the Royal Choral Society in the presence
of Her Majesty The Queen. Recordings include: Disney Film Classics and Crazy for Gershwin (BBC Concert Orchestra),
studio cast recording of Hair and cast recordings of The Secret Garden, The Woman in White and South Pacific. He
recorded Michael Ball’s album This Time It’s Personal and was orchestrator and conductor for Walt Disney’s awardwinning Animator’s Palette and Cinderellabration (Disneyland Tokyo). Stephen produced the ‘live’ recording of
Oliver! starring Rowan Atkinson, the new recording of Les Misérables (2010) and the Dutch and Australian ecordings
of Mary Poppins. Stephen supervised the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concerts (O2 Arena) as well as being
Musical Producer on the hugely successful film version of Les Misérables.
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161
LES MISÉRABLES AUSTRALIAN MEDIA KIT - 2014
ANDREANE NEOFITOU - Costume Designer
Internationally renowned costume designer Andy Neofitou’s highly acclaimed work for the Royal Shakespeare
Company over many years led to her outstanding success with Les Misérables directed by Trevor Nunn and John
Caird and her beautifully researched and detailed period costumes won her a coveted Tony Award Nomination on
Broadway. In 2010 Andy continued to work on the show for the triumphant 25th anniversary performances at the
O2, the new major tour of the United States, the UK and Europe – all as the original production continues its record
breaking run in the West End. She also designed the costumes for another huge international success - Miss Saigon
directed by Nicholas Hytner which began life at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and her designs for both Les
Misérables and Miss Saigon continue to be seen in the many productions world-wide. Andy’s other major costume
designs in London and the West End include Grease at the Dominion Theatre and later the Piccadilly Theatre, The Far
Pavilions, Gone With The Wind and The Baker’s Wife both directed by Trevor Nunn, Timon Of Athens at the Young
Vic with David Suchet in the title role, also directed by Trevor Nunn, Peter Pan at the Royal National Theatre directed
by John Caird and the arena production of Bizet’s opera Carmen at The Royal Albert Hall directed by Frank Dunlop.
Among Andy’s many international credits are Nabucco directed by Elijah Moshinsky for New York’s Metropolitan
Opera, Miss Julie in Athens, the musical Jane Eyre directed by John Caird on Broadway - for which she received an
Outer Critics Circle Award nomination - and Cameron Mackintosh’s revised version of Martin Guerre in the United
States. Her credits with the Royal Shakespeare Company include The Changeling directed by Michael Attenborough,
Bill Alexander’s production of The Merchant Of Venice with Antony Sher, and Fair Maid Of The West directed by
Trevor Nunn for the opening of the Swan Theatre at Stratford, transferring later to the Mermaid Theatre in London.
She designed the costumes for Hedda Gabler with Glenda Jackson at the Aldwych, in Canada and the USA; Once In A
Lifetime at the Aldwych and the Piccadilly; Peter Pan which enjoyed three separate runs at the Barbican, and
Nicholas Nickleby at Stratford and in the United States winning the Outer Circle Critics’ Award for Outstanding
Achievement in Costume Design. Among Andy’s film credits are Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead starring
Richard Dreyfuss directed by the author Tom Stoppard, and Still Life with Roger Daltrey.
CHRISTINE ROWLAND - Additional Costumes
Christine Rowland has worked in both subsidised and commercial theatre. She was resident costume supervisor at
the National Theatre for several years and head of costume at the RSC. Work for Cameron Mackintosh includes:
Carousel (London, New York and Japan); Oliver! (London, Toronto and Sydney); The Witches of Eastwick (London,
Melbourne); My Fair Lady (London, USA tour); Mary Poppins (London, New York, USA tour, Holland and Australia);
Les Misérables 25th anniversary production (USA and UK tours and the O2); and Betty Blue Eyes (London). Other
musicals include: The Secret Garden (RSC London); Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London, New York); and Gypsy (New
York).
All media enquiries to AKA Australia: Vicky Iliopoulos [email protected] 0410 551 388
Linda Freedman [email protected] 0403 212 161