Saturday, June 19

Cameron Mackintosh talks to Jonathon Ross about Les Miserables 02 Concert

Have just been listening to Cameron Mackintosh talking to Jonathon Ross on his Saturday morning Radio 2 show. Apparently he made a promise at Albert Hall 10th Anniversary Concert that he would put on a really special show for the 25th Anniversary of les Miserables. The original cast, current London cast, cast who are touring with the new production and a number of guest stars will all be appearing at the matinee and evening performances of the concert at the 02 Arena on Sunday 3rd October.

One of the guests is Nick Jonas who was the final Broadway Gavroche performing the part for the final nine months the show played in New York. Apparently Cameron asked him on the closing night whether he would like to play Marius in Les Miserables when he grew up (Mackintosh says he has no recollection of this). So Jonas says he has been waiting be old enough to be asked! In order for him to rehearse and perform at the Queen’s Theatre for three weeks starting on Monday 21st June and also to appear at the 02 Arena concert they have rescheduled the Jonas Bros tour.

Cameron says he has no concerns that Jonas has a "pop star voice" which will not transfer to the stage as a number of performers have done this with ease including Frances Ruffelle, Paul Nicholas, David Essex, Michael Ball and Gareth Gates.

Lea Salonga who created the role of Kim in Miss Saigon is playing Fantine. This is her first time back in England since the left the show in Drury Lane. Since then she has had an enormously successful career in musical theatre in New York and Philippines (and recently got married).

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

thanks for the great news! actually Lea performed in the 10th anniversary as Eponine, so it's not her first time back in England since Miss Saigon :)

Theatre Spy said...

Of course she was - I remember seeing her there. Obviously slipped Cameron's mind (and mine)!

Thanks for that.

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