“It’s the most extraordinary piece of art ever created for the theatre. It will always be relevant.”
This is Michael Ball’s summary of the acclaimed musical Les Misérables, which is being reinvented in a new arena world tour.
“It’s a show that was created the right way, by the right creative team. The music is timeless; the characters timeless. It’s not like any other show musically,” adds the double Olivier Award-winning musical theatre star and hugely popular radio and TV presenter.
For you: Les Misérables at Belfast’s SSE Arena - what you need to know
With a score of iconic songs, including I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own and One Day More, and an enthralling story of broken dreams, unrequited love, sacrifice and redemption, Les Misérables is the world’s longest running and most successful musical.
Ball made his West End debut as Marius Pontmercy in the original production in 1985. After countless performances, he is still excited, emotionally touched and learning something new every time he is involved a Les Misérables production.
“I know the show backwards, forward and sideways, but it amazes me that there will always be a moment when I’m sitting and I’m listening, in the wings or on stage, and somebody interprets something differently. It’s constantly evolving.”
This is a view shared by his co-star, multi-platinum recording artist and Tony award-winning Alfie Boe.
“Every performance I’ve done has taken me on a new journey of discovery. People ask me if I tire of singing Bring Him Home, but how could I? It’s an incredible, beautiful piece of music. It’s a song that’s structurally and emotionally perfect, and it’s done so much for me and my career.”
Over the past 39 years, the musical has been the launch pad for many stars internationally.
“There have been so many performers playing the same role, but I can guarantee that not one does it like anybody else,” he adds.
Cameron’s Mackintosh’s production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular is an expanded version of the Les Misérables The Staged Concert, which played for over 200 performances in the West End. It features a company of over 110 actors, musicians and crew and a new design specifically created for arenas.
The world tour begins in Belfast’s SSE Arena on September 19 with Alfie Boe and Killian Donnelly sharing the role of Jean Valjean and Michael Ball and Bradley Jaden sharing the role of Javert. Will they be watching Killian and Bradley on their nights off?
“I’d be too jealous. I’d be thinking how dare they cast someone 20 years younger than me,” says Boe (50).
“Bloody hell. They’re more than 20 years younger than me,” shrieks Ball (62).
“They are just incredible. It’s a great pairing,” adds Boe sincerely. “You couldn’t wish for better on this tour. Without blowing our own trumpet, I think me and Michael do a really good job of it and I think Killian and Bradley are insane.”
Earlier this year it was announced that Ulster Operatic Company were one of 11 amateur theatre groups chosen under Cameron Macintosh’s Let People Sing Project to stage their own productions of Les Misérables next year.
It’s a song that’s structurally and emotionally perfect, and it’s done so much for me and my career
— Alfie Boe
The groups will receive support and guidance from the show’s West End creative teams. Michael’s advice is to “just get on the train and hold on tight”.
“There are always nerves and anticipation before a show, but the moment the first chord starts from the orchestra it doesn’t stop for anybody. The music and the story will carry you. It’s a privilege to be a part of it, so just enjoy yourself.”
Also in the Arena Spectacular cast are Bonnie Langford as Madame Thénardier, Gavin Lee as Thénardier, Jac Yarrow as Marius, Beatrice Penny-Touré as Cosette, Channah Hewitt as Fantine, James D. Gish as Enjolras, Jeremy Secomb as Bishop of Digne and Emily as Éponine.
Michael is especially excited to be once again working alongside Langford.
“It’s because of Bonnie I’m doing Les Mis. I did my first proper job, Pirates of Penzance in 1984 or ‘85 with Bonnie and I gave her my first stage kiss.
“I heard about this new show called Les Misérables that was being put on at the RSC. I asked my then agent about it but he said there were no parts for me. But Bonnie’s agent, Barry Burnett, knew that two roles hadn’t yet been cast. He phoned Cameron Mackintosh and told him to come up to Manchester and see this lad - that’s how I got the role of Marius,” he reminisces.
Michael and Bonnie’s paths have crossed on numerous occasions, most recently in Sondheim’s Old Friends.
“There’s the song Broadway Baby where all the different women that were in the show come on and give their own take on a line. I said to Bonnie beforehand: ‘If you don’t do a high kick and the splits, you’re not the showbiz diva that I think you are’. Boom, she did it... I guarantee she’s going to find a way to give Madame Thénardier a high kick and some splits,” he laughs.
Ball and Boe first met in a production of Kismet in 2007 – Ball had recommended to Cameron Mackintosh that he should come and watch Boe perform. The offer of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables quickly followed.
The duo have gone on to record four albums together, receiving two Classic Brit Awards and have presented a number of ITV Specials.
As well as their voices complementing each other beautifully, they are the best of friends, which is clear to be soon during my chat with them on Zoom, especially as the pals discuss bringing toffees to rehearsals, like naughty little school boys.
“We have our own careers and our own trajectories, and then we go, ‘It’s time we get back together’. It’s just brilliant. I love it - and he’s quite good,” smiles Michael.
Having last been in Belfast for their 2021 Together at Christmas tour, the pair are genuinely looking forward to spending a longer period here.
“We can actually go and have a couple of pints in The Crown,” says Michael, whose enthusiasm is infectious.
“I’ll tell you what we’ll do. We’ll hire a car and go for a trip out, will we Alf?,” he beams, proceeding to ask me for advice on where to go during their days off.
Maybe we should watch this space for a Northern Ireland coastal road trip TV special with Ball and Boe? “Who knows. Neither of us have toured around before. It would be really nice to discover it together,” replies Alfie.
Covid lockdown presented Ball with the opportunity to explore his creative side through writing. This November his new novel, A Backstage Betrayal, is released.
“It’s the second installment of The Empire series. I’ve just spent the last four days in the tiniest cubby hole doing the audio version. We’re only at the end of the 1920s – it could go on and on,” he teases.
Boe faced his fears in BBC1′s Freeze The Fear with Wim Hof. “I loved the challenges like swimming under the ice and sitting in the water. Throwing myself off a bridge was a bit hair-raising,” says the tenor, who still does some cold water swimming.
“If I get the chance, I’ll throw myself into a lake or river. Though I’m softening up a little bit and I like it to be warmer weather,” he confesses.
Les Misérables The Arena Spectacle will play Belfast’s SSE Arena from September 19 to September 28. Check out Concert.lesmis.com for cast listings. Tickets from Ticketmaster.ie
Ahead of starting Les Mis rehearsals next week, I sat down to answer a few questions about the show… Let me know in the comments if there’s anything else you’d like to know before we hit the stage again 🇫🇷 Mx pic.twitter.com/K0bAwJgfR9
— Michael Ball OBE💙 (@mrmichaelball) August 22, 2024
