Just weeks after coming to the rescue of the new production of Les Misérables at the restored Sondheim Theatre, Matt Lucas has been forced to pull out of the show after suffering a back injury.
The multi-award-winning Little Britain star and long-term member of the Les Misérables’ family, stepped into the role of Thénardier in December after Gerard Carey was forced to delay his appearance in the show due to a vocal injury caused when he contracted pneumonia.
With Carey expected to return the production at the end of February, the UK and International touring production’s Thénardier, award-winning actor Ian Hughes (Guys and Dolls, Savoy Theatre, The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre) has now joined the London production.
Commenting on the latest change to his cast Cameron Mackintosh said: “To lose one master of the house is unfortunate and two perhaps careless! I am delighted to be bringing Ian Hughes to the wonderful London company to partner Josefina Gabrielle in order that Les Misérables can officially open at the Sondheim Theatre next week as planned. I am sure it will be third time lucky!
“I am so grateful to Matt Lucas who abandoned his holiday plans to help us out and am looking forward to welcoming back Gerard to the Company at the end of February. I wish them both speedy recoveries.”
While Hughes is in London, Cameron Blakely will step into the role of Thénardier when the touring Les Misérables plays a five-week engagement at Theater 11 Zurich. Blakely previously played Thénardier at the Queen’s Theatre in London and in Singapore and Manila. Blakely also played Barnatabois in the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert and starred as Gomez Addams in the UK tour of The Addams Family.
The cast at the Sondheim Theatre also features Jon Robyns (Jean Valjean), Bradley Jaden (Javert), Carrie Hope Fletcher (Fantine), Shan Ako as Éponine, Josefina Gabrielle as Madame Thénardier, Harry Apps as Marius, Ashley Gilmore (Enjoiras).and Lily Kerhoas as Cosette.
Hamilton star Rachelle Ann Go and a previous Fantine at the Queens Theatre (Miss Saigon, Prince Edward Theatre) is due to return as Fantine from 2 March until 18 April. Hope Fletcher will then play Fantine from 20 April until 25 July before Go returns to the production from 27 July.
The company also includes: Kelly Agbowu , Ciarán Bowling, Richard Carson, Rodney Earl Clarke, Matthew Dale, Matt Dempsey, Harry Dunnett, Jessie Hart, Jessica Joslin, Sarah Lark, Georgie Lovatt, Ellie Ann Lowe, Luke McCall, Leo Miles, Claire O’Leary, Shane O’Riordan, Kathy Peacock, Sam Peggs, Mark Pearce, Emma Warren, Sake Wijers, Mared Williams and Samuel Wyn-Morris.
Les Misérables is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel with additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.
The production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowland, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, musical staging by Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt, and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Alfonso Casado Trigo.
Angela Thomas
Tickets are available for Les Miserables HERE.
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