Les Miserabls

There is not a lot left to write about Les Misrables, whether you are referring to the literary piece or the musical. Acknowledged as the greatest novel of the 19th century, the musical stage version has been made into 21 languages and tops the billings for every category. For instance: The London version is the worlds longest running musical. The 10,000th performance was presented on 2 January 2010. The show has picked up the Olivier, Tony, Grammy and 70 other theatre Awards. <http://www.justlondontheatrebreaks.com/les-miserables-theatre-break >Les Mirabls</a> has over 40 cast recordings to its credit (singles and albums). There are several symphonic recordings. It is the most successful ever school produced musical. Over 60 million people have watched the professional performances around the world. It is only right that the musical started its amazing life in Paris. The story begins with Alain Boublil, songwriter and lyricist watching the musical Oliver in London. When the Artful Dodger made his entrance, I started seeing all the characters of Victor Hugo's Les MisrablesValjean, Javert, Gavroche, Cosette, Marius, and poninein my mind's eye, laughing, crying, and singing onstage, said Boublil. He then approached composer Claude-Michel Schnberg and the two adapted the Victor Hugo novel to music. Boublil brought in his friend and poet, Jean-Marc Natel. The three then began writing the, script, music and songs. It took them two years to finish the project. They then made a demo tape, followed by a concept album recorded at the CTS studios, Wembley, London and released in 1980. The very same year Robert Hossein, a renowned film director, put on a stage version of Les Misrables. It was a success and over half a million people attended it through the course of a 100 shows. It closed after three months, only because the booking at the Palais des Sports ran out. In October 1985, an English-language production of Les Misrables began at Londons Barbican theatre. The English libretto were written by Herbert Kretzmer. While the crowds lapped it up the detractors were not so enthusiastic. Several scholars and literary experts panned the show for degrading the classics. The rest, as they say, is history. After many successful years at the Barbican, the show moved to the Queens Theatre at Londons West End, where it still runs. On 3rd October 2010, the show celebrated its 25th year. To mark the occasion three productions ran in London that day. The venues for the shows were the Barbican, the original stage, Queenss Theatre and the O2 Arena. Twenty-seven years after its London opening, Les Misrables is still filling the concert hall and grabbing hearts. It doesnt look like closing any time soon or, for that matter, at all.

About the Author Guy C Noronha is a self-employed writer who is passionate in travel and environmental topics. He is living in the lower Himalayan hills near Bhimtal.