8 October, 1900-2030Radio 2 celebrated the 21st anniversary of Les Misérables with a special concert performance.
See pictures >>
On 8 October 1985, Les Misérables opened at the Barbican Theatre, London and a new chapter in musical theatre history began. (The show then moved to London's Palace Theatre on 4 December 1985 and on 12 March 1987 the American version opened at the Broadway Theatre).
Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Les Misérables by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, has since travelled the globe winning many major awards, including eight Tonys.
To celebrate both the 21st anniversary of this classic musical and the 60th birthday of producer and impresario Cameron Mackintosh, Radio 2 presented a celebratory concert performance of Boublil & Schönberg's Les Misérables; broadcast on the 21st birthday of the show itself - 8 October 2006.
See our gallery of pictures from the night.
From The Mermaid in London, the current West End cast joined the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Brooker, and narrator Anthony Andrews. The show starred:
John Owen-Jones - Jean Valjean
Hans Peter Janssens - Javert
Sophia Ragavlelas - Fantine
Sabrina Aloueche - Eponine
Chris Vincent - Thenardier
Tracie Bennett - Mdm Thenardier
Jon Lee - Marius
Gina Beck - Cosette
Simon Bailey - Enjolras
Ross McCormack - Gavroche
Also, on Tuesday 10 & 17 October at 2030 on Radio 2, you can hear
Michael Parkinson in conversation with Sir Cameron Mackintosh, with contributions from friends, performers and colleagues from throughout his career.
Find out everything there is to know about the musical on the official
Les Misérables website.
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