Cameron Mackintosh and Music Theatre International (MTI) are delighted to announce LET THE PEOPLE SING, a UK-wide amateur theatre project celebrating the 40th anniversary of Boublil and Schönberg’s world-wide phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES, throughout 2025.

11 amateur companies across the United Kingdom have been invited to present their own staging of Les Misérables which runs from March 2025 to August 2025. The show, which has never previously been made available to amateur groups in the UK whilst it continues to play to packed houses in London’s West End, will be staged under the banner of ‘Let the People Sing’ and will première at the Grand Theatre, Swansea, from 11th to 19th July 2025.

For many of us Abbey Players, Cockett Amateur Operatic Society and Swansea Amateur Operatic Society are household names. These well-established amateur dramatic groups have been entertaining audiences in Swansea and beyond for collectively 300 years! The works of Rogers & Hammerstein, Gilbert & Sullivan and Andrew Lloyd Webber have been accessible to theatre goers and performed regularly in our city thanks to these highly respected groups. They also provided a platform and first steps for the likes of Catherine Zeta Jones, Ria Jones, Claire Hammacott and Ben Joyce, to start their musical theatre journeys and rise to stardom on London’s West End.

Collaborating for the first time, our 3 Swansea based amateur dramatic groups will work together to produce and present a community-wide production of Les Misérables. They will have the support and guidance of the show’s West End and international associate creative teams as they prepare their non-replica, original production.

Cameron Mackintosh commented: “The phenomenon of LES MISÉRABLES continues to break new ground, just as Victor Hugo’s novel has since it was first published in 1862.

As we approach the extraordinary landmark of the 40th record-breaking year of the iconic 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 yearlong celebrations.

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 Let the People Sing!”

Simon Lloyd-Jones, Chairman of Abbey Players said: “I was 14 when I first saw Les Misérables at Bristol Hippodrome and have loved it ever since. I am so excited by the unique collaboration which is at the heart of this project. Working closely with the 2 other societies on this venture has been a joy so far and will grow as the process continues. ‘Let the People Sing’ is going to make so many childhood dreams come true, and we are so excited to get started, welcoming people from across South Wales to our auditions and producing the best amateur production that Wales has ever seen.”

To make this a truly community wide project, the company of ‘Let the People Sing’ would welcome the support of musical theatre lovers, local businesses, groups and all… What an opportunity to be part of something incredibly special in our city!

Tickets available here: https://www.swanseagrand.co.uk/LesMiserables