Belfast's theatre community raises the curtain on amateur premiere of Les Misérables: Let the People Sing!
Belfast Operatic Company in collaboration with St. Agnes’ Choral Society, Ulster Operatic Company and the Grand Opera House Trust are thrilled to host a historic first this week which sees Belfast open the first production of Les Misérables: Let The People Sing!, a UK wide project celebrating the 40th anniversary of the world’s most popular musical.
By special permission from Cameron Mackintosh and Music Theatre International (MTI), Belfast Operatic Company leads the collaboration of four amateur theatre groups, to present the first of eleven amateur premieres of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s multi-award-winning musical phenomenon as part of a UK-wide amateur theatre project.
The opening tonight in Belfast’s Grand Opera House marks a significant moment as Les Misérables has rarely been made available to amateur groups in the UK while still playing to packed houses in London’s West End. This week’s run is the first iteration before being staged elsewhere across the UK including, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Norwich, Porthcurno (Cornwall) and Swansea.
This musical triumph is the fastest-selling amateur production in the Grand Opera House’s history and features the best of home-grown talent from across Northern Ireland, and celebrates the vibrant and accomplished amateur theatre community that exists here.
Gary Redpath of Belfast Operatic Company says: “It is an honour to not only perform this iconic piece of musical theatre but to open the project with the first production of Les Misérables: Let The People Sing!, is a testament to the fantastic talent we have, and the trust placed in Belfast’s theatre community”.
Since opening in London in 1985, Les Misérables remains one of the world’s most beloved musicals, having been seen by over 130 million people in 53 countries and showcased in 22 languages.
Ian Wilson, Chief Executive of the Grand Opera House, said, “This is an extraordinary moment for musical theatre and amateur productions in Northern Ireland, and we are proud to be at the heart of this unforgettable milestone.
“In collaboration with our esteemed amateur theatre partners, this is a true celebration of the world’s longest running musical which has been much-loved by audiences across the world and a magnificent showcase of our incredible local talent. After 40 years of this epic masterpiece, it is time to Let The People Sing.”
Les Misérables: Let the People Sing runs at the Grand Opera House from Tuesday 4 March to Saturday 8 March 2025, for more information visit the show page.
