In 1978, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil started working on a musical adaptation of Les Misérables in French. “This show was inspired by Alain’s visit to Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Oliver! in London.” (Musical World.) When Mr. Boublil saw the Artful Dodger he instantly thought of Gavroche and the idea of Les Misérables as a musical was created. They released a French concept album in 1980. In September of the same year a French director by the name of Robert Hossein staged their work as a show, which was a mix of dramatic musical scenes and musical theater. It was staged during a three month slot at a 4,500 seater Palais des Sports in Paris and about half a million people watched it. It was a victorious success for such a new genre in France.
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So, at Farago’s request, Mackintosh decided to produce the show into an English adaptation. So, he put together a creative team with Trevor Nunn, and John Caird as directors and James Fenton as the lyricist. They had a lot of reinterpreting to do to make the show what it is today, which starts at the factory gates and ends on the barricade. James Fenton was considered a great poet, but he was a slow writer. His pieces did not process into songs very well. So, after 18 months, he was replaced by Herbert Kretzmer, who had to complete the English lyrics quickly in order for the show to open in five months. At the London’s Barbican Theatre on October 8, 1985, the English adaptation of Les Misérables was played. It was very successful, the audience’s responses were very enthusiastic, and there was a standing ovation. The show then transferred to the Palace Theatre, where it continued running until it transferred to the Queens Theatre in April
So, at Farago’s request, Mackintosh decided to produce the show into an English adaptation. So, he put together a creative team with Trevor Nunn, and John Caird as directors and James Fenton as the lyricist. They had a lot of reinterpreting to do to make the show what it is today, which starts at the factory gates and ends on the barricade. James Fenton was considered a great poet, but he was a slow writer. His pieces did not process into songs very well. So, after 18 months, he was replaced by Herbert Kretzmer, who had to complete the English lyrics quickly in order for the show to open in five months. At the London’s Barbican Theatre on October 8, 1985, the English adaptation of Les Misérables was played. It was very successful, the audience’s responses were very enthusiastic, and there was a standing ovation. The show then transferred to the Palace Theatre, where it continued running until it transferred to the Queens Theatre in April