Rehearsals set for Les Mis

Les Miserables, which will be staged at Theatre Royal Wakefield on September 1-10, follows acclaimed productions of West Side Story and Footloose.

The musical version of Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Les Miserables tells the story of Parisian Jean Valjean, jailed for 19 years for stealing bread.

When he is released on parole, he must wear a yellow ticket-of-leave, which condemns him as an outcast.He starts a new life, with a new name, as a factory owner, but his past comes back to haunt him when he is forced to reveal his true identity to save an innocent man.

Director Louise Denison said: “It’s a really big challenge to mount a production of this scale in just two weeks but so far everyone is rising to that challenge. We are really lucky to have such a strong leading man in George Mulryan. There some very talented people in this cast, here’s to a fantastic show!”

Musical director Dean McDermott added: “Les Miserables is perhaps one of the most vocally challenging productions around so it’s a real testament to the young people of the district that we have the talent to make it a success. The score is operatic which requires a large number of strong voices and we have already seen a great deal of dedication and commitment to learning the songs”

Tickets for Les Miserables cost £15-19, available from www.theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk or 01924 211311.