Cast & Creative
Click on the artist’s headshot to view their scheduled performance dates.
Please note that the appearance of any artist is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.
In alphabetical order:
Shan Ako
Eponine
Training: The BRIT School
Previously In Les Miserables: Ensemble (Queens Theatre, 2019), Eponine in the All Star Staged Concert (Gielgud Theatre, 2019), Eponine in the new Staged Production (Sondheim Theatre, 2019), Eponine in the Staged Concert (Sondheim Theatre, 2020), Eponine in the Staged Concert (Sondheim Theatre, 2021)
Theatre Credits (include): Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre); Ensemble, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends (Sondheim Theatre); Whitney Houston, UK & Europe Tour; Magic Of Motown, UK Tour.
Film Credits (include): Les Miserables: The Staged Concert.
Television Credits (Include): Reasons to be Cheerful with Matt Lucas, X Factor.
Concert/Radio Credits: West End Musical Love Songs (Lyric Theatre), An Evening with Barlow & Bear (The Underbelly Spiegeltent), Yonah in Children Of Eden Concert (Cadogan Hall), West End Musical Drive In (The Drive In), Monday Night at The Apollo (Apollo Theatre), West End And Friends (Yeadon Town Hall, Leeds), West End Does Hollywood (Cadogan Hall), The Stage Debut Awards (8 Northumberland Avenue).
Workshop Credits (include): Zindzi, Mandela (English Touring Theatre); Lorraine, To The Streets (Birmingham Symphony Hall); Dee, Rock Follies (Jerwood Space)
Recording Credits: Les Miserables: The Staged Concert (Album), Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends Original West End Concert (Album), II Most Wanted, Wicked Edition (Single)
Extra Information: Official Host of The Stage Debut Awards 2022 (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Author, The Shan Vibe Book 2024, Writing, Composing & Releasing Original Music.
Website/Social Media Handles
Website: www.shanofficially.com
Instagram: @shanofficially
Youtube: www.youtube.com/shanofficially
TikTok: @ShanAkoTikTok
X: @shanofficially
Spotify/Apple Music: Shan Ako
Theatre Awards: Eponine in Les Miserables (Sondheim Theatre, The Stage Debut Award for Best Performer in a Musical)
Michael Ball
Javert
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe will play the roles of Javert and Jean Valjean respectively at the following locations and dates*:
PERFORMANCE DATES
Sydney: 30 Apr 2025 at 7:30pm, 1 & 2 & 3 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 4 May 2025 at 1:00pm, 6 & 7 & 9 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 10 May 2025 at 2:00pm, 11 May 2025 at 6:30pm
Melbourne: 14 & 15 & 16 & 17 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 18 May 2025 at 1:00pm, 20 & 21 & 23 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 24 May 2025 at 2:00pm, 25 May 2025 at 6:30pm
Brisbane: 28 & 29 & 30 & 31 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 1 Jun 2025 at 6:30pm
*Please note that the appearance of any artist is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.
Biography:
Michael Ball is Britain’s leading musical theatre star, a double Olivier Award-winning, Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum recording artist, and a hugely popular radio and TV presenter. For over 30 years, he has been at the top of his game, starring in musical theatre productions in the West End and on Broadway, winning critical acclaim, a devoted following, and awards for his stage work and recording career.
Michael’s theatre credits include Edna Turnblad in ‘Hairspray’ (ENO/Coliseum); Javert in ‘Les Misérables – The Staged Concert’ (Gielgud Theatre); Anatoly in ‘Chess’ (ENO/Coliseum); Mack in ‘Mack and Mabel’ (Chichester/UK Tour); Sweeney Todd in ‘Sweeney Todd’ (West End), for which he won the Olivier Award for ‘Best Actor in a Musical’; Edna Turnblad in ‘Hairspray’ (Original West End Cast), for which he won the Olivier Award for ‘Best Actor in a Musical’; ‘Kismet’ (English National Opera); ‘Patience’ (New York City Opera); ‘The Woman in White’ (West End/Broadway); ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ (West End); ‘Passion’, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Aspects of Love’ (West End/Broadway), and creating the role of Marius in ‘Les Misérables’ (Original West End Cast). His television credits include the ‘Victoria Wood’ BBC TV film, ‘That Day We Sang’, opposite his Sweeney Todd co-star, Imelda Staunton.
Michael has a successful radio broadcasting career which includes his own show, The Michael Ball Show on BBC Radio 2 on Sundays. He is also a popular TV presenter – he has hosted The Michael Ball Show on ITV1, his first TV travelogue, Wonderful Wales on Channel 5, and most recently an Easter Sunday special for the BBC.
He regularly tours the UK as a concert artist and has sold millions of albums over the last 30 years. He has performed in Australia, China, USA, Japan, and, in 2007, made his BBC Proms debut: An Evening with Michael Ball at the Royal Albert Hall, marking the first time a musical theatre star had been given a solo concert at the Proms. In 2016, he released Together, a collaborative effort with close friend and singer Alfie Boe, featuring performances of classic songs. The album became the UK’s best-selling album of 2016 and beat the likes of Little Mix and The Rolling Stones to the Christmas No.1 spot. Ball & Boe then released Together Again, which brought the pair yet another No.1 album in 2017, and Back Together, which landed them the No.2 spot in the Official Albums Chart. In 2020, Michael and Alfie released their first festive album, Together at Christmas, featuring both old favourites and originals. Thanks to their latest release Together in Vegas, which entered the UK album chart at No.3 in October 2022, they have now sold over 1.5 million albums in the UK, received two Classic Brit Awards, sold out two headline arena tours, and presented three ITV Specials.
During the various UK lockdowns, Michael started to pen new material—the result was We Are More Than One, an album more personal than ever before. After learning how to write and record remotely, every track had an inspiring story to tell.
His debut novel, The Empire — published in Autumn 2022—became a Sunday Times Bestseller, and he recently released his first-ever memoir titled Different Aspects.
Jonathon Bentley
Combeferre
Training: Mountview.
Theatre Credits include: Gary, Nigel and Understudy Jimmy in Standing at the Sky’s Edge (Gillian Lynne Theatre); Robert Prewitt in From Here to Eternity (Charing Cross Theatre, London); Adam in Mamma Mia! The Party (O2 London); Ensemble and Understudy Chris in Miss Saigon (International Tour); Ensemble and Understudy Sky in Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre); Vocalist in Magic at the Musicals (Royal Albert Hall).
Alfie Boe
Jean Valjean
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe will play the roles of Javert and Jean Valjean respectively at the following locations and dates*:
PERFORMANCE DATES
Sydney: 30 Apr 2025 at 7:30pm, 1 & 2 & 3 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 4 May 2025 at 1:00pm, 6 & 7 & 9 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 10 May 2025 at 2:00pm, 11 May 2025 at 6:30pm
Melbourne: 14 & 15 & 16 & 17 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 18 May 2025 at 1:00pm, 20 & 21 & 23 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 24 May 2025 at 2:00pm, 25 May 2025 at 6:30pm
Brisbane: 28 & 29 & 30 & 31 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 1 Jun 2025 at 6:30pm
*Please note that the appearance of any artist is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.
Biography:
Multi-platinum selling recording artist, Alfie Boe OBE has established a reputation as one of the most powerful and prestigious UK born and bred voices. ‘The Nations favourite tenor’ also often referred to as ‘West End and Broadway Royalty’ has almost 3 decades of a whirlwind career under his belt so far. The Grammy nominated star has won a Tony Award, multiple Classical Brit Awards, a Silver Clef Award to name but a few.
Alfie’s recording career has not only acquired him eleven top 10 albums including two number 1’s but numerous sold-out headline tours in the UK as a solo artist and as part of his duo act with Michael Ball ‘Ball and Boe’. He also sold out a US tour with Classic Quadrophenia alongside Pete Townsend, Vegas with his solo ‘Showstoppers’ debut and ‘Lights On Broadway’ that he headlined in Japan.
Boe’s spellbinding voice has led him to some of the world’s most prestigious stages. From The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to the balcony at Buckingham Palace, The Horse Guards Parade for VE Day 70, multiple shows at The Royal Albert Hall, Opera Houses around the world, Theatre stages in The West End and Broadway, U.S Memorial Day at The West Lawn in Washington and many more. A firm favourite of The Royal Family, Alfie also released the official Platinum Jubilee National Anthem as a duet with Sarah Brightman.
Alfie progressed from singing Arias on the factory floor underneath cars during his apprenticeship as a mechanic in his home town, to receiving a place at The Royal College Of Music followed by The National Opera Studio and the Royal Opera House.
It was the moment the legendary Baz Luhrmann discovered him where things really started to propel. He landed his first Broadway role in ‘La Boheme’ which resulted in him winning his Tony award. Alfie went on to play Alfredo in ‘La Traviata’, Tamino in ‘The Magic Flute’, Don Ottavio in ‘Don Giovanni’, Lysander in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and Ferrando in ‘Cosi Fan Tutti’, J. M. Barrie in ‘Finding Neverland’ on Broadway, ‘The Mikado’, Billy Bigelow in ‘Carousel’, and the role he is best known for, Jean Valjean in ‘Les Misérables.’
Alfie’s spine-tingling rendition of ‘Bring Him Home’ continues to blow audiences away. He has played Jean Valjean in the West End and Broadway as well as celebrating the show’s 25th Anniversary at London’s O2 Arena and most recently, The All-Stars Concert version of the show alongside Michael Ball and Matt Lucas.
Alfie’s recording career took off when he was initially signed in 2006 by Classic FM where he released his first album. He then moved to EMI Records and Decca Universal where he went on to become one of the big success stories and acquired his multiple platinum sales and ten top 10 records. In 2016 he partnered with friend Michael Ball, (who he met on the set of Kismet) to form the duo ‘Ball and Boe’. The pair released a Number 1, double platinum album ‘Together’ followed by an equally successful release of ‘Together Again’. They have since had another 3 chart topping records and continue to sell out Arena tours across the UK.
In 2023 Alfie released his most recent solo album ‘Open Arms, The Symphonic Songbook’ on BMG Records. An eleventh top 10 record that showcases an eclectic mix of power ballads accompanied by beautiful orchestral arrangements. He sold out a headline solo tour in the UK and released a Sunday Times Bestselling Memoir book ‘Face The Music’. This followed his appearance in BBC1’s Freeze The Fear with Whim Hoff where fans really grasped an insight to his personal journey. Alfie is set to go back on the road in May this year for his Encore tour.
Rebecca Bolton
Ensemble
Training: Mountview.
Previously in Les Misérables: Ensemble and Cover Cosette (UK and Ireland Tour 2021; International Tour, 2019).
Theatre Credits include: Stella in Disney’s The Castle (Disney Concerts); Anna in Spring Awakening (Edinburgh Fringe).
Television Credits include: A Gentleman in Moscow.
Concert Credits: The Castle (Disney Concerts); Michael Ball and Alfie Boe Together Again (O2 Arena); ITV Gala At the London Palladium.
Workshop Credits include: Lucy in The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit (Aria Entertainment).
Olivia Brereton
Ensemble
Training: Guildford School of Acting.
Previously in Les Misérables: Cover Fantine and Factory Girl (UK and International Tour, 2019, 2022); Cover Fantine and Cosette (The Staged Concert, Sondheim Theatre, 2021).
Theatre Credits include: Three Phantoms China; Lucy Lockit in The Beggar’s Opera (Les Arts Florissants); Ensemble in The Woman in White (Charing Cross Theatre); Three Phantoms Asia; Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera (West End, UK Tour).
Television Credits include: Whitechapel.
Amelia Broadway
Ensemble
Training: The Urdang Academy.
Television Credits include: Dancer in The Brit Awards; Becky Hill and Chase & Status.
Credits Whilst Training: Margaret White in Carrie; The Witch in Into the Woods.
Amelia is delighted to be making her professional debut in Les Misérables.
Michael Burgen
Babet
Training: The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Previously in Les Misérables: Grantaire (UK Tour, 2022); Ensemble (UK and Ireland Tour, 2018-2019).
Theatre Credits include: Patsy in Spamalot (Playhouse Theatre, West End); Dr Swaby in Betty Blue Eyes (Grange Park Opera); Mr Toad in Wind in the Willows (Norwich Theatre Royal); Sir Joseph Porter in H.M.S. Pinafore and Lord Mountararat in Iolanthe (UK Tour); Samuel in Pirates of Penzance (Sydney Theatre Company); The Assassin in Blondel (Union Theatre); The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (New Vic Theatre); Zaide (Sadler’s Wells).
Workshop Credits include: John Lill in The Likes of Us (Heartaches Ltd.); Rehab: The Musical (Blacklist Entertainment); The Likes of Us (The Entertainment Business).
Michael also works as a director. His credits include: Out There, Our House, Loserville (Union Theatre); Loserville in Concert (Garrick Theatre, West End); Alice in Wonderland (Italy Tour); Peter Pan, Dick Whittington, Cinderella (Jordan Productions).
Michael is also founder and owner of the London-based Union Youth Theatre (UYT). He recently produced his first West End concert, When I Grow Up at the Lyric Theatre, which starred members of the youth theatre alongside West End stars.
Instagram: @m.burgen | @unionyouththeatre
Mary-Jean Caldwell
Factory Girl
Training: Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and Guildford School of Acting (winner of the Ian Fleming Scholarship).
Previously in Les Misérables: Ensemble (UK Tour, 2022-2023), Factory Girl and Cover Fantine (UK Tour, 2018-2019).
Theatre Credits include: Stoner Chick in Heathers (The Other Palace); The Pirate Queen (London Coliseum); It Happened in Key West (Charing Cross Theatre).
Film Credits include: Heathers Live (The Other Palace).
Workshop Credits include: Bev in 13 Going on 30 (ROYO).
Credits Whilst Training include: Grizabella in Cats (GSA); Violet Chandler in The Fix (GSA); Olivier Awards in Concert (Royal Festival Hall); Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (Tring Park); Drowsy in The Drowsy Chaperone.
Instagram: @maryjcaldwell
Earl Carpenter
Bishop of Digne
Over the past 30 years, Earl Carpenter has forged an extraordinary career as a Broadway and West End performer, actor, general manager, and producer. His association with Les Misérables is both vast and iconic, having originated the role of Inspector Javert in Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s 25th Anniversary production, including a celebrated season at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris before culminating at the Barbican in London.
Earl made his West End debut in Les Misérables at the Palace Theatre in 1996, which led to a performance at the Euro ’96 Final at Wembley, the first outdoor concert at Hylands Park, and the Entente Cordiale Celebration at Windsor Castle. His passion for producing extended to co-producing five symphonic concerts with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Earl has played multiple roles in Les Misérables, including the Bishop of Digne and Bamatabois in the Les Misérables Stage Concert at the Gielgud and Sondheim Theatres. As Inspector Javert, he starred at the Queen’s Theatre in 2008 and on the 25th Anniversary European Tour. He played the Bishop of Digne in the iconic O2 Arena concert in 2010 before briefly returning to the Queen’s Theatre in 2012 as Javert.
His international journey with Les Misérables includes performing as Javert in Toronto (2013/14) opposite Ramin Karimloo and making his Broadway debut at the Imperial Theatre in 2014, followed by a return in 2015, opposite Alfie Boe. He later reprised the role in Manila and Singapore in 2016.
And that’s just his Les Misérables story.
Website: www.earlcarpenter.com
Instagram: @earl_carpenter
Beth Curnock
Ensemble
Training: Performers College.
Theatre Credits include: Closer to Heaven(Turbine Theatre).
Credits Whilst Training: Odyssey; Pippin; A Whole New World of Alan Menken.
Shaun Dalton
Brujon
Training: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Previously in Les Misérables: Factory Foreman, Ensemble and Cover Javert (Queen’s Theatre, 2011-2013).
Theatre Credits include: Hooch in Kinky Boots (UK and Ireland Tour); Gerhard and Tough Man in Eugenius! The Musical (The Other Palace); Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (UK and International Tour); Mr Perkins in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (UK Tour); Max Kirkhov in Ten Times Table (The Mill at Sonning); Issachar in Joseph And the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour); Issachar in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (New London Theatre).
Television Credits include: The Paul O’Grady Show; Olivier Awards; Blue Peter; Heartburn Hotel; Peak Practice.
Concert Credits include: Eugenius! (London Palladium); The Pirate Queen (London Coliseum).
Workshop Credits include: Gerhard and Tough Man in Eugenius!; Karl The Giant in Big Fish.
Recording Credits include: Eugenius! (Original Cast Recording).
Instagram: @shaunypd76
X: @shaunypd
Jade Davies
Swing
Training: The Urdang Academy
Previously in Les Misérables: Ensemble & Cover Cosette (Queens Theatre, 2013).
Theatre Credits include: Swing & Cover Elphaba in Wicked (UK Tour); Ensemble and Cover Jovie in Elf – The Musical (Dominion Theatre); Ensemble and Cover Perdi in 101 Dalmatians (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); Ensemble in My Fair Lady (Teatro Massimo, Palermo); Maria in West Side Story (Estonia National Opera); Ensemble in The Wizard Of Oz (Birmingham Rep Theatre); Swing in The Phantom Of The Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre, London); Ensemble in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK & Ireland Tour); Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act (Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage).
Recording Credits: For Tonight (Concept Album).
Instagram: @Jadeydavies
Killian Donnelly
Jean Valjean
Bradley Jaden and Killian Donnelly will play the roles of Javert and Jean Valjean respectively at the following locations and dates*:
PERFORMANCE DATES
Sydney: 3 May 2025 at 2:00pm, 4 May 2025 at 6:30pm, 8 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 10 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 11 May 2025 at 1:00pm
Melbourne: 17 May 2025 at 2:00pm, 18 May 2025 at 6:30pm, 22 & 24 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 25 May 2025 at 1:00pm
Brisbane: 31 May 2025 at 2:00pm, 1 Jun 2025 at 1:00pm
*Please note that the appearance of any artist is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.
Biography:
Killian Donnelly has just finished playing Jean Valjean in ‘Les Misérables’ at the Sondheim Theatre, having previously played the role to critical acclaim in both the West End production and the sell-out UK and Ireland tour. Killian recently played Bruce Bechdel in ‘Fun Home’ at Gate Theatre, Dublin. His other theatre credits include the role of The Phantom in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ at His Majesty’s Theatre, Charlie Price in ‘Kinky Boots’ on Broadway, a role he originated at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End in 2015, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award, and Huey in the original London cast of ‘Memphis’ at the Shaftesbury Theatre for which he was also nominated for an Olivier Award. He created the role of Deco in ‘The Commitments’ at the Palace Theatre and has also played Tony in ‘Billy Elliot’ at the Victoria Palace Theatre, as well as Raoul in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ at Her Majesty’s Theatre. He first joined the West End company of ‘Les Misérables’ in 2008, going on to play the role of Enjolras from 2009 to 2011. In 2010, he played the role of Courfeyrac in the ‘25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables’ at The O2 Arena and also played the role of Combeferre in the multi-award-winning film, which was re-released in cinemas in February 2024 to mark its 10th Anniversary.
Jonathan David Dudley
Swing
Training: Mountview
Theatre Credits include: Understudy Lord Farquaad in Shrek (West End, UK and Ireland Tour), Understudy Elder Cunningham in The Book Of Mormon (West End), Understudy Prince Sebastian in Cinderella (West End), Understudy Boq in Wicked (West End), Understudy The Arbiter in Chess (London Coliseum); Jim in The Railway Children (Cadogan Hall); Understudy Harry and Young Ebenezer in Scrooge (West End, UK Tours); Wallace Hartley, Bellboy and Dance Captain in Titanic the Musical (Toronto, Southwark Playhouse); Alternate Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour), William Harbison in South Pacific (Cadogan Hall); Mile End Lee in Closer To Heaven (Union Theatre, London); Lead Vocalist for The Barricade Boys (International), Lead Vocalist on MS Color Fantasy (Cruise Liner), Angel Dumont in Rent (Crescent Theatre); Lead Vocalist in Dreamcoat Stars (UK Tour), Prince Charming in Cinderella (Harlow Playhouse), Mike and Dance Captain in Zanna, Don’t (Landor Theatre).
Film Credits include: Les Misérables, Carriages.
Television Credits include: Britain’s Got Talent, The Masked Dancer.
Workshops Credits include: Cinderella, The Monster’s Bride.
Recording Credits: Les Misérables, The Barricade Boys, Dreamcoat Stars.
Harry Dunnett
Swing
Training: London School of Musical Theatre.
Previously in Les Misérables: Jean Prouvaire, and understudy Marius (Sondheim Theatre, 2021); Joly and understudy Marius (Sondheim Theatre, 2020).
Credits Whilst Training include: Max in Lend Me a Tenor; Ross in The Queen’s Nose; Ensemble in Merrily We Roll Along (workshop); Melchior in Spring Awakening (workshop); Orlando in As You Like It (workshop).
Louis Emmanuel
Jean Prouvaire
Training: Guildford School of Acting
Previously in Les Misérables: Ensemble (Sondheim Theatre, 2022-2023).
Concert Credits include: Children of Eden (30th Anniversary Concert, Cadogan Hall); West End Does: Love (Cadogan Hall).
Credits Whilst Training: Dallas in Sweet Smell of Success, Randy and Ensemble in Curtains, Ensemble in The Wind in the Willows.
Instagram: @l0uis.emmanuel
Charlie Geoghegan
Ensemble
Training: ArtsEd.
Concert Credits: Pippin (50th Anniversary Concert, ArtsEd Choir); The Olivier Awards 2024 (ArtsEd Choir).
Credits Whilst Training: Rita in Made in Dagenham, Ensemble in Rent.
Les Misérables is Charlie’s professional debut.
James D. Gish
Enjolras
James D. Gish: An American performer making his European debut!
Broadway: Fiyero in Wicked.
Off-Broadway: Fabrizio in The Light in the Piazza (New York City Center Encores!); Mickey Rose in The Jerusalem Syndrome (York Theatre OOBC).
National Tours: Gerry Goffin in Beautiful; Feuilly in Les Misérables.
Recent Regional: Jervis in Daddy Long Legs (Phoenix Theatre Co.); Tony in West Side Story; Jack Kelly in Newsies; Toxic Avenger in The Toxic Avenger.
Toured with solo album So In Love (#6 on iTunes Classical Chart during week of release), produced by DW Music at Warner Brothers, Nashville.
Socials: @jamesdgish; www.jamesdgish.com
Rachelle Ann Go
Fantine
Theatre: Eliza Hamilton in ‘Hamilton’ (West End & International Tour); Fantine in ‘Les Misérables’ (West End); Gigi in ‘Miss Saigon’ (Broadway, West End); Jane Porter in ‘Tarzan’ (The Philippines); Ariel in ‘The Little Mermaid’ (The Philippines)
Film: Gigi in ‘Miss Saigon: 25th Anniversary’ (Universal Pictures).
Recordings: ‘A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes’ (Disney Asia); ‘Miss Saigon: The Definitive Live Recording’ (Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.)
Instagram: @gorachelleann
Twitter: @gorachelleann
Harry Grant Smith
Feuilly
Training: ArtsEd.
Theatre credits include: Ensemble in Pippin in Concert.
Credits While Training: Eddie O’Grady in Made in Dagenham, Ensemble and Singing Captain in The Drowsy Chaperone.
Les Misérables will mark Harry’s professional debut.
Bradley Jaden
Javert
Bradley Jaden and Killian Donnelly will play the roles of Javert and Jean Valjean respectively at the following locations and dates*:
PERFORMANCE DATES
Sydney: 3 May 2025 at 2:00pm, 4 May 2025 at 6:30pm, 8 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 10 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 11 May 2025 at 1:00pm
Melbourne: 17 May 2025 at 2:00pm, 18 May 2025 at 6:30pm, 22 & 24 May 2025 at 7:30pm, 25 May 2025 at 1:00pm
Brisbane: 31 May 2025 at 2:00pm, 1 Jun 2025 at 1:00pm
*Please note that the appearance of any artist is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice.
Biography:
Bradley Jaden recently received rave reviews for his performance in Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Old Friends’ at the Gielgud Theatre. He also appeared as Raoul in Broadway Italia’s brand new production of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ in Trieste and most notably as Javert in ‘Les Misérables’ at the Sondheim Theatre, a role he also played in the final cast of the musical at the Queen’s Theatre. Prior to that he starred as Enjolras in the concert staging of the production at the Gielgud Theatre. His other West End credits include appearing in the Gala cast of ‘Old Friends’ at the Sondheim Theatre, Fiyero in ‘Wicked’ at the Victoria Apollo Theatre, Thomas Percy in ‘Treason: The Musical’ at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Sir Lancelot in ‘Camelot in Concert’ at the London Palladium, the UK tour of ‘Ghost The Musical’ and ‘Shrek The Musical’ at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. His TV credits include ‘Emmerdale’ on ITV, ‘Sugar Rush’ on Channel 4, and most recently ‘EastEnders’ on BBC One.
Connor Jones
Grantaire
Training: Royal Academy of Music.
Previously in Les Misérables: Grantaire (Sondheim Theatre, 2021), Grantaire (UK and International Tour, 2020).
Theatre Credits include: Robert Catesby in Treason the Musical (UK Tour, London Palladium).
Daniel Koek
Warnings
Training: Adelaide Conservatorium of Music and Mountview.
Previously in Les Misérables: Jean Valjean (Queen’s Theatre, 2013-2014).
Theatre Credits include: Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods (Singapore); Cover Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera (Australia Tour); Lt Joseph Cable in South Pacific (UK Tour, Australia Tour); Anatoly in Chess (UK Tour); Tony in West Side Story (UK Tour); Frank Jnr and Understudy DJ Monty in Saturday Night Fever (UK Tour); Ensemble and Understudy Frederick Trumper in Chess (Spektrum Arena Oslo, Norway); Jason in Jason And The Argonauts (New Players Theatre, Embankment); Principal Cast in Pacific Overtures (Leicester Haymarket); Prince in Cinderella (Utrecht Youth Festival, Netherlands).
Concert Credits: With All Our Hearts (Adelphi Theatre).
Recording Credits: Self-Titled Tenor, HiGH.
Daniel is Creative Director of West End Sessions worldwide.
Website: danielkoek.com
Social Media: @dankoek @westend_sessions
Caleb Lagayan
Joly
Training: Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.
Previously in Les Misérables: Jean Prouvaire and Cover Marius (UK Tour, 2021-2023).
Theatre Credits include: Prince Chulalongkorn in The King and I (West End, UK Tour); Moritz Stiefel in Spring Awakening (Sherman Theatre); Race in Newsies (Theatre Under The Stars); Peter Simmonds in Bare (Eternal Theatre); Lord Pinkleton in Cinderella (Theatre Under The Stars); Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar (URP); Count Carl Magnus in A Little Night Music (The Richard Burton Theatre).
Instagram: @caleblagayanofficial
Abel Law
Montparnasse
Training: Royal Academy of Music and University College London.
Previously in Les Misérables: Ensemble (UK Tour, 2021-2023).
Theatre Credits include: Pacific Overtures (Menier Chocolate Factory, London); Miss Saigon (Sheffield Crucible).
Credits Whilst Training: Bobby Strong in Urinetown; Collins in Rent; Vocalist in Roles We’ll Never Play (West End LIVE, 2021).
Adam Robert Lewis
Factory Foreman
Training: Mountview.
Previously in Les Misérables: Understudy Javert and Courfeyrac (Sondheim Theatre, 2022-23).
Theatre Credits include: Terrance in Kin (Theatro Technis); Lieutenant Tarasso in Passion (Hope Mill Theatre); Understudy Phantom and Swing in The Phantom of the Opera (His Majesty’s Theatre).
Film Credits: Dream Hackers, The Magical World of Miracles, White Island.
Television Credits: The Crown.
Concert Credits: The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera in Concert (Beau Sejour); Three Phantoms (Cardiff); Musicals at Margam (Margam Castle); Night at the Musicals (The Orangery); Movies and Musicals (Glasgow City Halls).
Instagram: @adamrlew
Georgie Lovatt
Swing
Training: Performance Preparation Academy (PPA).
Previously in Les Misérables: Ensemble, Understudy Madame Thénardier and Factory Girl (Sondheim Theatre, 2019).
Theatre credits include: Nadia in Bare: A Pop Opera (The Vaults).
Workshop credits include: Sam in In Pieces.
Nominations and Awards: Nadia in Bare: A Pop Opera (Offie nomination).
Instagram: @GeorgieLovatt
Matt Lucas
Thénardier
Actor, author, comedian, presenter, and writer Matt Lucas is one of the most recognisable personalities in British television.
He first captured audiences’ attention with his breakout role as the eccentric George Dawes in the iconic comedy panel show ‘Shooting Stars’. However, it was his collaboration with David Walliams on the BAFTA-winning series ‘Little Britain’ that cemented his status as a household name.
Over the years, Matt has built an impressive portfolio with standout roles in films such as ‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘Paddington’, and ‘Bridesmaids’. His television and screen work includes memorable appearances in ‘Doctor Who’, co-hosting ‘Fantasy Football’ on Sky Max, and starring in Warner Bros’ musical fantasy ‘Wonka’. This year, Matt can be seen in Ridley Scott’s much-awaited ‘Gladiator 2’.
Andrew Maxwell
Courfeyrac
Training: Guildford School of Acting.
Workshop Credits include: You & I: First Look Concert (Phoenix Arts Club).
Credits Whilst Training: Monty in Violet, Ensemble in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
This production marks Andrew’s professional debut.
Instagram: @andrewcmaxwell
Jill Nalder
Old Woman
Training: Mountview
Previously in Les Misérables: Ensemble and Madame Thénardier (Palace Theatre, 1995), 10th Anniversary Concert (Royal Albert Hall, 1995).
Theatre Credits include: Oliver! (London Palladium); Annie; Cabaret; Godspell; One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; Nunsense; Stepping Out; Whistle Down the Wind; Harlequinade; Black Comedy (Swansea Grand Theatre); Jesus Christ Superstar; Hello, Dolly! (London Palladium); The Hobbit; The Wizard of Oz (UK Tours); Gypsy (Sheffield Crucible, Swansea Grand); Sugar (Some Like It Hot) (West Yorkshire Playhouse).
Film Credits: Finding Your Feet.
Television Credits include: It’s A Sin, Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Week.
Concert Credits: Hello, Dolly! in Concert (London); My One and Only in Concert (Prince Edward Theatre); Cole Porter Centennial (Prince Edward Theatre); WestEnders (London, UK and International Tours, Cruises).
Books: Writer of the award-winning book Love From the Pink Palace (2022).
Instagram: @jill.nalder
Zabrina Norry
Ensemble
Training: Royal Academy of Music.
Previously in Les Misérables: Factory Girl and Understudy Madame Thénardier (UK Tour, 2021-2023).
Theatre Credits include: Paulette in Legally Blonde (Norwegian Cruise Lines); Diva Swing and Understudy Shirley in Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Palace Theatre); Good Fairy in Mother Goose (Oxford Playhouse); Alani in The Little Mermaid (Arts Depot); Dionne in Release the Beat (Arcola Theatre); Elizabeth and Understudy Candy in Whistle Down the Wind (Aldwych Theatre, UK Tour).
Concert Credits include: Samantha Barks in Concert (Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Anthems Live! (Royal Albert Hall); Chess in Concert (Royal Albert Hall); The Best of Rock Musicals (Eventim Apollo); Concert for Diana (Wembley Stadium).
Recording Credits include: Chess in Concert; Schwartz Songs.
Credits Whilst Training include: Young Jane in Jane Eyre; Belle in Little Me.
X (Twitter & Instagram): @ZabsNorry
Lisa Peace
Wig Maker
Training: ArtsEd
Previously in Les Misérables: Ensemble and Cover Cosette (Palace Theatre, 1991), Factory Girl and Cover Fantine (Scandinavian Tour); Ensemble (10th Anniversary Concert and 25th Anniversary Concert).
Theatre Credits include: Walking cover Ouiser and Truvy in Steel Magnolias (UK Tour); Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers (Dubai); Ethel McCormack and Cover Vi in Footloose (UK Tour); Miss Berta in Acorn Antiques: The Musical! (UK Tour); Peggy in Jailhouse Rock (Piccadilly Theatre); Marge Perley and Alternate Sukie Rougemont in The Witches of Eastwick (The Drury Lane Theatre, Prince of Wales); Catherine and Cover Betrande in Martin Guerre (West Yorkshire Playhouse, UK Tour); Kate Bush and Demonette in Hot Stuff (The Leicester Haymarket); Maria in The Sound of Music (Lyric Theatre Belfast); Jellylorum, Gridlebone and Cover Grizabella in Cats (The New London Theatre); Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour); Ashley, Pearl and Dinah in Starlight Express (Apollo Victoria Theatre, Germany); Cynthia Boyce in Mr Cinders (The Kings Head).
Television Credits: EastEnders, numerous commercials.
Recording Credits: The Witches of Eastwick, Martin Guerre, Les Misérables (25th Anniversary Concert).
Resident Director: Footloose (UK Tour).
Beatrice Penny-Touré
Cosette
Training: The Arts Educational School, where she was awarded the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Scholarship, graduating in 2021.
Theatre includes: the iconic Olivier-nominated production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Old Friends‘ (Gielgud Theatre) opposite Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga; Gwendolyn and understudied and played Mary Poppins in ‘Mary Poppins‘ (Prince Edward Theatre); Young Heidi in ‘Follies‘ (Tangier) directed by Rob Ashford; her professional and West End debut covering and playing Christine in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ (Her Majesty’s Theatre) and ‘The Book of Mormon‘ (Prince of Wales Theatre).
Workshops include: Young Clare in ‘The Time Traveller’s Wife‘.
Marina Prior
Madame Thénardier
Marina Prior is known as Australia’s Leading Lady of Musical Theatre.
Marina’s first professional audition resulted in her first lead role – Mabel in ‘The Pirates of Penzance’. She was subsequently invited to perform the role of Guinevere opposite Richard Harris in ‘Camelot’. Since then, she has performed over forty lead roles throughout Australia, possibly her most memorable being the role of Christine Daae, in the original Australian production of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, which she performed for three years.
Other roles include Jellylorum in ‘Cats’, Cosette in ‘Les Misérables’, Hope Harcourt in ‘Anything Goes’, Maria in ‘West Side Story’, Lily in ‘The Secret Garden’, Magnolia in ‘Showboat’, Miss Adelaide in ‘Guys and Dolls’, Mrs Banks in ‘Mary Poppins’, Baroness Schraeder in ‘The Sound of Music’, Dolly Levi in ‘Hello Dolly’, Mrs. Meers in ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’, Violet Newstead in ‘9 to 5 – The Musical’ and more recently the roles of Birdwoman and Miss Andrew in ‘Mary Poppins’.
For Melbourne Theatre Company, Marina has played the roles of Rona Lisa Peretti in ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’, Elmire in ‘The Hypocrite’, Frances in ‘Jumpy’ and Judith Bliss in ‘Hayfever’. For Sydney Theatre Company, Marina played the role of Helen Bechdel in ‘Fun Home’. Later in 2025, Marina will play the role of Kimberly in the State Theatre Company South Australia and Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of ‘Kimberly Akimbo’.
Marina has performed with symphony orchestras throughout Australia including a critically acclaimed Australasian concert tours with international tenor, José Carreras and international vocal group, Il Divo. More recently she completed a concert tour with David Hobson performing over 180 shows throughout Australia.
She is also well known to television audiences through her appearances on such shows as ‘Carols by Candlelight’, as a judge on Channel Seven’s ‘It Takes Two’ and as Iris in The ABC series ‘The Divorce’.
Over her career, Marina has received numerous awards including the Advance Australia Award for her contribution to the performing arts and was inducted into Australia’s 100 Entertainers of the Century. In 1999, she was guest of honour for the television program ‘This Is Your Life’ which paid tribute to her career so far. In 2024, Marina was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to the Arts.
Ciaran Rodger
Swing
Training: ArtsEd and The Dance School of Scotland (Musical Theatre Course).
Theatre Credits include: Onstage Swing in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Gillian Lynne Theatre, The Rep Birmingham).
Concert Credits: Soloist at The Olivier Awards 2022 (The Royal Albert Hall); Choir at Frank and Friends (Cadogan Hall).
Workshop Credits include: Movement and Choreography workshop in The Band’s Visit (Donmar Warehouse).
Credits Whilst Training: SpongeBob in The SpongeBob Musical.
Instagram: @ciaran_rodger
Jo Stephenson
Ensemble
Training: Mountview
Previously in Les Misérables: Ensemble, Cover Éponine and Cosette (Sondheim Theatre, 2022).
Concert Credits: Intermissions Live with Alice Fearn (Vaudeville Theatre); The Pirate Queen (London Coliseum).
Workshop Credits: Martha Weiss in Ps. I’m a Terrible Person; Company (Broadway Production).
Instagram: @jo_stephenson
Geddy Stringer
Lesgles
Training: Royal Academy of Music.
Theatre Credits include: Osmond in What’s Wrong With Me? (The Lion and Unicorn).
Workshop Credits include: Wilhelm in Grimm: The Musical (The Other Palace).
Credits Whilst Training include: Gradgrind in Hard Times, Various in Hal Prince, A Life in the Theatre, Gavin in Fugitive Songs, Dwayne and LuAnn in Midwestern Gothic.
Geddy is also a Vocal Balance Vocal Coach and teaches privately, as well as at drama schools including LAMDA & ArtsEd.
Les Misérables will mark Geddy’s professional debut.
Website: www.geddystringer.co.uk
Instagram: @geddystringer
Helen Walsh
Madame
Helen Walsh
Training: University of Southern Queensland.
Previously in Les Misérables: Madame Thénardier (UK Tour, 2019-2020, 2021-2023; Manila and Singapore, 2016); Ensemble and Understudy Madame Thénardier (The Staged Concert, Sondheim Theatre, 2021; Queens Theatre, 2014-2016); Ensemble and Understudy Cosette (Australia Tour, 1997-1999); Ensemble and Understudy Éponine and Cosette (Asia, South Africa Tour, 1996).
Theatre Credits include: Mrs Brill in Mary Poppins (Australia Tour); Man of La Mancha (ENO); Ensemble and Understudy Madame Morrible in Wicked (UK, Zurich Tour); The Wedding Singer (UK, South Korea); Mrs One and Mae in Adding Machine (Finborough); Candide (Menier Chocolate Factory); Sister Margaretta and Understudy Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); Auntie Em in The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium); Ensemble and Understudy Mary Lazarus and Mother Superior in Sister Act (London Palladium); Frau Schmidt in The Sound of Music (London Palladium); Shawntel and Eve in Jerry Springer: The Opera (UK Tour); MAMMA MIA! (Australia Tour); Understudy Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (Essgee Productions); Jellylorum, Griddlebone, Understudy Grizabella in Cats (Australia Tour); The Sunshine Club (Queensland Theatre Company); Minnie Fay in Hello, Dolly! (Australia); Understudy Nellie in South Pacific (Australia).
Recording Credits: Original Cast: The Sound of Music, Sister Act, Wizard of Oz; Masterpiece: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Octonauts.
Owain Williams
Claquesous / Bambatois
Training: Royal Academy of Music.
Previously in Les Misérables: Feuilly, Cover Enjolras and Marius (Barbican and UK Tour, 25th Anniversary Concert).
Theatre Credits include: Tick/Mitzi in Priscilla The Party! (Here at Outernet); Taboo (Brixton Clubhouse); Merrily We Roll Along (Theatr Clwyd); The Phantom of the Opera (His Majesty’s Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Lichfield Garrick); Godspell (Manchester Palace); Dick Whittington (Bristol Hippodrome); Jack and the Beanstalk (Carmarthen Lyric).
Film Credits include: Les Misérables.
Television Credits include: Chwarter Call, Mabinogi-Ogi!, Gwenhwyfar (all S4C) and presenting for Tag, Heno and BBC News: London.
Concert Credits include: Taboo (London Palladium); The Phantom of the Opera (Royal Albert Hall).
Workshop Credits include: Playback Stand Tall.
Recording Credits include: Les Misérables: Dream the Dream.
Awards and Nominations include: Stwnsh Sadwrn (BAFTA Children’s Awards Best Presenter nomination).
Instagram: @owzwilliams
Jac Yarrow
Marius
Jac was born in Cardiff and graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) from The Arts Educational School.
He made his professional debut as Joseph in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ at the London Palladium. For his performance, Jac garnered extraordinary critical and public acclaim. He was nominated for the 2020 Olivier Award for Best Actor In A Musical; the 2020 WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor In A Musical; and won The Stage Debut Award 2019 for Best West End Debut and was nominated for Best Actor in a Musical.
Jac reprised the role of Joseph for the UK & Ireland Tour, as well as a run at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto. Other Theatre includes: the iconic Olivier-nominated production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Old Friends’ at the Gielgud Theatre opposite Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga; a return to the London Palladium for two Christmas seasons in ‘Pantoland’ at The Palladium. Concerts include: Archie in ‘At Last’, ‘It’s Summer’ (London Palladium); Prince Topher in ‘Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ (Cadogan Hall).
Television includes: ‘Musicals: The Greatest Show’ (BBC); Angelo Bernardone in ‘Glow & Darkness’ (Dreamlight International); Jamie Dalton in BAFTA-winning ‘In My Skin’ (BBC).
Most recently, Jac starred as Pippin in ‘Pippin – 50th Anniversary Concert’ at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
Creatives
Alain Boublil
Concept, Book & Original French Lyrics
Alain Boublil is the author of the librettos and lyrics for the musicals La Révolution Française, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre and The Pirate Queen, all in collaboration with Claude-Michel Schönberg, as well as Marguerite with music by Michel Legrand. He co-wrote the screenplay of the Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated film Les Misérables. He is the author/lyricist of ABBAcadabra, a fairy tale musical with songs by ABBA; of the stage adaptation of the Demy/Legrand film Les Demoiselles de Rochefort; as well as author of the plays The Diary of Adam and Eve and Manhattan Parisienne, a new work with classic and new songs, being rewritten and soon to reopen with a new title. He wrote a prize-winning French novel, Les Dessous de soi.
His many awards include two Tonys, two Grammys, two Victoire de la Musique and a Molière Award for Les Misérables, as well as an Evening Standard Drama Award for Miss Saigon, a Laurence Olivier Award for Martin Guerre and a New York Chapter Honors Grammy for his outstanding contribution to the creative community. Boublil and Schönberg’s 40-plus-year collaboration was celebrated in May 2016 at Carnegie Hall as honorees of the New York Pops’ 33rd birthday gala. Boublil was recently appointed to the board of directors of the New York Pops. He lives in New York with his wife, actress/singer Marie Zamora, and is the father of four sons.
Cameron Mackintosh
Producer
Cameron Mackintosh has been producing shows since 1967 and remains the world’s most prolific producer of musicals in theatre history.
As well as producing three of the world’s longest running musicals – Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Cats – his legendary productions also include Miss Saigon, Oliver!, Mary Poppins (co-produced with Disney), Side By Side By Sondheim, Little Shop of Horrors, The Witches of Eastwick and Five Guys Named Moe. He has produced several hugely acclaimed revivals of My Fair Lady, Oklahoma! and Carousel as well as reinventing long running new productions of Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera and Oliver! Cameron is also co-producer with Jeffrey Seller of Hamilton in London and on Tour in the UK and recently presented the joyous Sondheim musical celebration Old Friends in the West End (with a terrific cast headed by legends Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga) that will soon arrive on Broadway.
In 2012, alongside Working Title Films and Universal, Cameron produced the hugely successful Oscar®, Golden Globe and BAFTA award-winning film adaptation of Les Misérables, which is one of the most successful movies ever of an original stage musical. To celebrate over 10 years since its release, the movie has been remixed and recently re-released in full Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision in selected cinemas around the world, as well as a new home vision 4K Blu-ray disc and iTunes download version of the film.
The staged concert version of Les Misérables has proved to be just as successful as the original musical and is returning this autumn to stadiums and stages around the world in a much-anticipated spectacular Arena Tour – which is already mostly sold out in the UK. The concert version of Les Misérables has been filmed three times – at the Royal Albert Hall, the O2 Arena and the Gielgud Theatre – and is continually rescreened on TV and in cinemas throughout the world and, alongside his spectacular Royal Albert Hall production of The Phantom of the Opera, regularly breaks attendance records for live recording performances of musical theatre.
Cameron owns and operates eight historic London theatres, which have all been spectacularly rebuilt and refurbished for the 21st century. They house many of London’s most successful hits. The Sondheim, formerly known as the Queen’s, now has a glorious auditorium and backstage and has been renamed in honour of Cameron’s great friend, theatrical legend Stephen Sondheim, who passed away in 2021. The last show he and Cameron were working on, Old Friends, had an all-star gala premiere at the Sondheim Theatre in 2022 and was later screened on BBC TV.
In 1990, Cameron inaugurated the Chair of Contemporary Theatre at St Catherine’s College in Oxford University, with Stephen Sondheim as his visiting professor. The current Professor is world-renowned director, Gregory Doran. Music Theatre International, one of the world’s oldest and largest libraries of secondary rights of the greatest musicals ever written, is now one of Cameron’s companies.
Cameron was knighted in the 1996 New Year’s Honours for his services to British theatre and in June 2023, was awarded the Freedom of the City of London. He is the first British producer ever to be elected to Broadway’s Theater Hall of Fame.
Claude-Michel Schönberg
Book & Music
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 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 re-conceived the music for the Les Misérables musical movie. His shows have won many awards over the years, most recently the WhatsOnStage Audience Awards for Best West End Show and Best Musical Revival for the London production of Miss Saigon. Golden Globe winner, Oscar nominee and Grammy Award winner for his outstanding contribution to the creative community, Mr Schönberg and Alain Boublil were honoured at a New York Pops gala concert in Carnegie Hall, celebrating their 40-year collaboration. Mr Schönberg was appointed visiting professor of contemporary theatre at St Catherine’s College, Oxford University – a position funded by the Mackintosh Foundation – and is now an emeritus fellow. He is an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music where he is a guest professor. Mr Schönberg married the English ballerina Charlotte Talbot in 2003. He is the father of one son and two daughters.
Herbert Kretzmer
Lyricist
Herbert Kretzmer was born in South Africa where he began a career in journalism, writing the commentary for a weekly cinema newsreel. He lived in London from 1954, pursuing twin careers as newspaperman and songwriter. He joined the Daily Express in 1960 and later became its senior drama critic, a post he held for 18 years. He later won two national press awards as the television critic for the Daily Mail. As a lyricist, he wrote weekly songs for That Was the Week That Was. He won an Ivor Novello Award for the Peter Sellers/Sophia Loren comedy song ‘Goodness Gracious Me’. Other award-winning lyrics include two songs written with, and for, Charles Aznavour: ‘Yesterday When I Was Young’ and the chart-topping ‘She’. He wrote the book and lyrics for the West End musical Our Man Crichton, starring Kenneth More and Millicent Martin, and the lyrics for The Four Musketeers, starring Harry Secombe as D’Artagnan. He also collaborated with Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (ABBA), Anthony Newley and Michel Legrand. Kretzmer was the recipient of two honorary doctorates and was appointed OBE in 2010.