Happy Birthday Les Mis

On October 8th, 1985 Les Misérables opened at the Barbican Theatre and a musical theatre powerhouse was born. Two years later, a Broadway adaptation opened and the powerfully moving musical began to rapidly spread around the world. Productions eventually opened in 56 countries and the show was translated into 21 languages ranging from Mauritian Creole to Japanese.

This Week Les Misérables celebrated it's 23rd brithday. Over the years the blockbusting mega-musical has been seen by over 51 million people, produced 31 cast recordings, won over 50 major theatre awards, a grammy, and a triple platinum disc for the London cast album. We recently reviewed Les Mis and found it to be as moving as it ever was

Les Misérables was composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and is based on the 1862 novel of the same name by Victor Hugo. Since it opened it has become not only the longest running West End musical but also one of the best loved. Originally performed at the Barbican, Les Misérables later moved to the Palace Theatre and later to the Queen's Theatre where it is currently being performed.

Les Misérables is booking at the Queen's Theatre until late April 2009.