Dean Chisnall News

Performances will begin on 5 December 2020 for Les Misérables -The Staged Concert at the Sondheim Theatre.  Today it is officially announced that the run will extend to 28 February 2021. 

I first saw Les Misérables on 27 August, 2011, and I've been back definitely upwards of 15 in London, and a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Broadway! The score is stunning and never fails to give me goosebumps no matter how many times I hear it.

There are very good reasons for a show to demonstrate the longevity required to become 2nd longest-running musical in the world - and if I had forgotten why, I was certainly given a pleasant reminder on January 23rd, 2020. Now, I've had the pleasure of seeing Les Miserables a few times. I was able to see the show on Broadway in New York a couple of times in the late 80s, and then enjoyed a touring production on the West Coast in the 90s. Tonight I attended the touring production from the UK and Ireland in Zurich, Switzerland. As a lifelong musical nerd, I was one of those kids who had Les Miserables on constant play in my car cassette deck when I was in high school. This can be a mixed blessing when attending a show because one already knows the score backwards and forwards. In this case, it was apparent that there were quite a few changes since I'd seen the US productions many years ago. Gone was the revolving stage, the text had been altered significantly, and the staging was very different. There was also the addition of video projections. However, this new version was fresh, modern, and utterly spectacular. Katie Hall, as Fantine, provided a performance that was determined and moving. Her rendition of 'I Dreamed a Dream' was both poignant and beautiful. Nic Greenshields, as Javert, was a showstopper. My only very tiny complaint would be that I wished that he'd taken the final few measures of Javert's suicide up the octave. I'm not sure of the reason behind the choice, but this is likely very tricky vocally for most baritones. However, given the dramatic weight of the scene it is positively thrilling to hear it sung in that register. This is a very small complaint, frankly, because Greenshields' acting and singing were tremendous and he treated the audience to an otherwise flawless performance. Marius, played by Felix Mosse, was sympathetic, as was Charlie Burn as Cosette. To her credit, Francis Mayli McCann provided a rendition of 'On My Own' which was not a carbon copy of past Eponines, and it was refreshing to hear a different and engaging interpretation of the song. Finally, a well-deserved mention must be made of Dean Chisnall, who played the role of Jean Valjean. The role is arduous and a tour-de-force, but he managed it all effortlessly. 'Bring Him Home' and 'The Epilogue' were heartrending. All told, this was the best cast and performance of Les Miserables that I have seen to date - Broadway included. If you manage to catch this tour, you will not be disappointed!

Cameron Mackintosh announced today casting for the second year of the UK and Ireland tour of his acclaimed production of the Boublil and Schönberg musical a?oeLES MISERABLESa??. From 18 November 2019 Dean Chisnall will play 'Jean Valjean', Nic Greenshields 'Javert', Katie Hall 'Fantine', Ian Hughes 'Thénardier', Harry Apps 'Marius', Charlie Burn 'Cosette', Barnaby Hughes 'Enjolras' and Helen Walsh 'Madame Thénardier'.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature Lea Salonga, Ramin Karimloo & Barbra Streisand, The Muny's CINDERELLA and more!

The original staging of the beloved musical Les Miserables played its final performance this weekend at the Queen's Theatre in London. Following the performance, the show's current Jean Valjean, Dean Chisnall addressed the crowd to celebrate the impact and legacy of this groundbreaking production.

A new theatre mural has been unveiled at the TKTS ticket booth in Leicester Square.

Les Mis has been in London almost as long as I have - here's how we have grown old together.

Chloe Hart (Wicked; Les Miserables Hairspray) sang 'Never Enough' from Pasek and Paul's smash hit musical film, The Greatest Showman at To The Moon and Back at The Other Palace last Sunday.

Dean Chisnall chats about playing Jean Valjean, his favourite song in Les Mis, and the importance of seeing live theatre.

From Monday 11 June 2018, there will be major cast changes at the West End production of 'LES MISERABLES' at the Queen's Theatre, which is now in its record breaking 33rd year.

Ghostlight Records will release the Original London Cast Recording of Stephen Schwartz's WORKING on Friday, March 2. Watch below for a preview of the new show!

Ghostlight Records has announced the release of the Original London Cast Recording of Stephen Schwartz's WORKING on Friday, March 2. The album is being released following a hugely successful run at Southwark Playhouse, directed by Luke Sheppard in Summer 2017. This will be the first recording of WORKING since the Original Broadway Cast Recording in 1978 and will feature never before released tracks by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Customers that pre-order the album on iTunes and Amazon will immediately receive the track "It's An Art." To pre-order the album, please click HERE.

Britain's most beloved diarist (give or take a Bridget Jones) comes to London in chamber musical form in a new adaptation created with the late Sue Townsend's blessing. Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary's version, tweaked since its premiere run in Leicester in 2015, should certainly prove popular with school holiday audiences, though a broader approach means parents may miss Townsend's subtly genius brand of humour. 

London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a Tennessee Williams revival and Bob Dylan-scored drama to royal politics and Adrian Mole, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…

On Monday 26 June, composer Stephen Schwartz stopped by to see the cast of Working during their run at Southwark Playhouse. Check out a photo of Schwartz with the cast below!

The Menier Chocolate Factory today has announced the full company for their brand new production of Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ - The Musical which opens in Adrian's 50th birthday year.

2017 has marked 30 years since Bill Kenwright's production of the international smash hit musical Blood Brothers first toured the UK.

2017 has marked 30 years since Bill Kenwright's production of the international smash hit musical Blood Brothers first toured the UK. In celebration, this iconic musical has been visiting theatres across the country, performing to sell-out houses and receiving standing ovations. Due to its continued success the tour is continuing into the Autumn, opening on Tuesday 29 August at G Live in Guildford.

Directed by Luke Sheppard (In The Heights) the cast of Working includes Gillian Bevan (Teachers, Holby City), Dean Chisnall (Shrek, Blood Brothers), Krysten Cummings (Rent), Siubhan Harrison (Guys and Dolls), Peter Polycarpou (City of Angels, Miss Saigon, Oklahoma) and Liam Tamne (Rocky Horror, Les Miserables,The Phantom of the Opera). Completing the cast are rising stars Patrick Coulter, Nicola Espallardo, Izuka Hoyle, Luke Latchman, Huon Mackley and Kerri Norville, who are all making their professional debut. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!