Friday, November 12

Jeff Leyton to play Jean Valjean for one last time?

Jeff Leyton played Jean Valjean in Les Misérables more than 3500 times and is due to play role again at a one-off show in December which he says could be for the last time ever.

He is due to appear in the Royal Dunfermline Command Performance at the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline on 18th December.  The show will be compered by Pars Jim Leishman and Radio One's Edith Bowman.

Olivier Award-winning actress Barbara Dickson who appeared in Blood Brothers and  Edinburgh-born Morag Siller (Les Misérables, Mamma Mia) and Phantom of the Opera's Keith Hendrie are also on the bill.

Leyton now lives in Tenerife and said: "They asked if I would come back and perform a few months ago and I instantly said yes. We'll be performing Bring Him Home, which I think is uncanny and rather fitting. I'm looking forward to meeting artists I've known over the years, and hopefully it'll be a performance for the old fans, and one to attract some new fans, who perhaps never made it down to London or caught me at the Playhouse. I kept taking up the role of Jean Valjean every couple of years, and I'm not quite finished yet. But it could well be the last time I play the part."

His desire to play Valjean was revived in Athens four years ago when he was touring with Greek tenor Mario Frangoulis who took him to visit an art school.  Leyton said: "Suddenly he threw back the curtain and there were about 200 students sitting there, waiting to hear me sing Bring Him Home. I had no choice - it made me realise I wanted to start it up again."

Tickets are on sale from the Alhambra Theatre box office.

3 comments:

LesMisFan said...

That's wonderful news. Jeff Leyton is the best Valjean I have ever seen including those who have recently taken up the role. It should be a great evening's entertainment.

Anonymous said...

Hopefully not the last time ever. The most inspirational musical performer I have ever seen. There should be a Bring Back Jeff Leyton campaign!

Kev p said...

Yeah...i'm a jeff Leyton fan now too.. I love this song so much and when it wasn't on my CD bought from a recent songs from the musicals show, I was gutted. Since then I've played it about 20 times on my computer from different artists. HE IS THE BEST.. Brilliant. Anyway I'm going now to listen again. Love to all. Kev at Yarnbrook

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