Amateur cast perform Les Mis for first time ever

Four theatre companies in West Yorkshire have become the first amateur actors in England to perform Les Misérables.

While the professional production has been staged in 53 countries since its premiere in 1985, this is the first time in Les Misérables' 40-year history that amateur groups have been granted the rights to perform the full version of the musical.

The BBC went behind the scenes of rehearsals for the Leeds Grand Theatre show.

"It has been a lifelong ambition to be part of Les Misérables," Mike Porter, the retiring chairman of Leeds Amateur Operatic Society, says.

The production is a collaboration between LAOS Musical Theatre Company, LIDOS, Wakefield West Riding Theatre Company, and Bradford's Buttershaw St Paul's AODS.

It was on a cold morning in January last year when Mr Porter received the call informing him of the granting of special permission from producer Cameron Mackintosh and Musical Theatre International to take Boublil and Schönberg's story to the stage.

"You could have knocked me down with a feather," he recalls.

"I never answer my mobile phone to numbers that I do not recognise and for some reason, I picked the phone up and decided to answer it.

"To be in the choir is just fantastic."

The Leeds production features a 17-piece live orchestra, a 20-person choir and 50 costumed performers.

Casting took place in October following 400 auditions.

One of those who was successful is Kirsty Townend, who plays Fantine.

"As an amateur performer, you do not think you would get to do this," she says.

"It has been stressful because it is such a big show and you want to do it justice.

"It is really exciting."

As the world's longest-running West End musical, Les Misérables has been seen by more than 130 million people since its premiere at London's Barbican Theatre four decades ago.

It came to Leeds in 2022 as part of a world tour. Eleven cities have been given the rights to an amateur show.

Each production has been supported by members of the show's West End and international creative teams.

Rachel Hirst Marshall, WWRTC executive chairman, says it is an "honour" to be part of the groundbreaking project.

"I've been involved in musical theatre since I was 15 years old. This production is incredible really. Amateur dramatics suffered through Covid so this is really exciting."

The LAOS chair, Paul Hopkins, has been involved in amateur theatre for 45 years and adds that the production is "unprecedented".

"I never thought I would see this in my lifetime as an amateur performer."

Les Misérables - Let The People Sing at Leeds Grand Theatre runs until 12 April .

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.