Australian production of Les Miserables is heading to Manila

It was confirmed today that Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, Les Misérables, will commence an Asian tour in March 2016 – first stop: Manila.

After completing its scheduled Australian tour seasons in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane, the show will transfer to Manila with many of the Australian cast on board.

Helpmann Award winning performer Simon Gleeson will continue to lead the production as Jean Valjean when it opens at The Theater at Solaire and he will be joined by celebrated Filipina Rachelle Ann Go in the role of Fantine, taking over from Australia’s Patrice Tipoki. Valjean’s lifelong antagonist Javert will be played by Earl Carpenter, direct from his performance of the role in the Broadway company of Les Misérables.

This is the first time a production of Les Misérables will be staged in Manila and Cameron Mackintosh is certain the new production, which is currently playing its second year on Broadway and in Australia, will be well received.

“Having created my new production over five years ago to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Les Misérables I’m both thrilled and astonished that the very differently designed, new production of this musical has proved just as successful all over the world as the original production that is about to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary in London – the only place in the world that you can still see the original production”, he said.

“After its Sydney and Brisbane run, I’m delighted to be bringing this new version to Manila in March, with a wonderful cast that include the current London star playing Fantine, acclaimed Philippine actress Rachelle Ann Go – who received enormous acclaim when I took her to London to appear as ‘Gigi’ in my hugely successful new production of Miss Saigon. Over the last twenty-five years I have had a wonderfully rewarding relationship with Filipino talent, introducing the best of them to audiences around the world – so I’m thrilled that this time one of my productions can be seen in its full splendour in Manila” Cameron Mackintosh said.