BELFAST Operatic Company is one of just 11 groups throughout the UK and the only one in Northern Ireland invited to lead produce a new staging of the iconic musical Les Misérables.
This new production will be part of an amateur theatre project known as ‘Let the People Sing’. Created by Cameron Mackintosh and Music Theatre International, the initiative will celebrate the 40th anniversary of musical maestros Boublil and Schönberg’s worldwide phenomenon throughout 2025.
“Les Misérables continues to break new ground, just as Victor Hugo’s novel has since it was first published in 1862,” says Mackintosh.
“As we approach the extraordinary landmark of the 40th record-breaking year of the musical’s London run, alongside countless productions around the world, we are delighted to invite 11 of our leading amateur companies in the UK to stage, for the first time, the entire show in their own productions.
“This will involve many hundreds of amateur performers around the country, becoming part of our own year-long celebrations.”
The other 10 community-wide productions of Les Misérables: Let the People Sing will be staged in Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Norwich, Cornwall and Swansea.
“The success of this much-loved musical was famously made by the public - not the early critics - so what better way to enjoy this unprecedented event, than to ‘Let the People Sing’.”
The show, which has never previously been made available to amateur groups in the UK, will be staged in Belfast’s Grand Opera House in March next year.
Belfast Operatic Company will collaborate with fellow local societies, Ulster Operatic Company and St Agnes’ Choral Society as well as the Grand Opera House Trust to produce the show.
The group will also receive support and guidance from the show’s West End and international associate creative teams.
Casting for all the new productions, including the one being staged in Belfast, will be via open casting calls.
“In 2025, Belfast Operatic Company will celebrate 65 illustrious years of producing outstanding live entertainment. What better way to celebrate this landmark moment for the company than staging a unique production of the musical phenomenon that is ‘Les Mis’,” says Colin Boyd, chairman of Belfast Operatic Company.
“I’m proud to say that registration of auditions is now open, and alongside our fellow collaborating musical theatre societies, we are calling on performers to sign up for their chance to be part of this incredibly special project.”
