Les Misérables: London - December 28, 1991

Les Misérables
Live in London at The Palace Theatre
December 28, 1991
Starring: Stig Rossen (Jean Valjean), Paul Leonard (Javert), Jenna Russell (Fantine), Darryl Knock (Marius), Mike Sterling (u/s Enjolras), Meredith Braun (Eponine), Sarah Jane Hassell (Cosette), Sue Kelvin (Madame Thénardier), Martyn Ellis (Thénardier)

Today we have here a monitor video from the West End production, featuring the legendary Stig Rossen as Jean Valjean.

Stig joined the ensemble in 1990 as Brujon, and during this period of time understudied the role of Jean Valjean and after only three months was asked to take over as the principle. In 1993, following his run in the West End, he would play the role in his native Denmark in the Copenhagen production. Next, he appeared in the role in 1996 as part of an Asia tour which played in Singapore and Hong Kong. Then he did a run in 1997 as part of a UK tour, and finally returned to the West End for a run from 1997-1998. He wouldn't be seen in the role again until taking part in a Scandinavian concert tour in 2002. He then staged an entirely new production with his production company that toured Denmark from 2003-2004. This was his final stint for a while, until making one more triumphant return to the role, in his native Denmark in his native language, as part of the 2014 production in Aarhus. It was during this engagement he reached 1500 performances as Jean Valjean.

Truly a legend, and one of my favorites. This monitor video is sadly the only existing capture of him in the role, but there are a wealth of audios from later on, and it is very interesting to hear what he was like at the very beginning of his time with the show!

Additionally, we have an OLC ensemble member/Enjolras understudy, Paul Leonard, returning to the show as principle Javert. We have future Christine, Meredith Braun, as Eponine. And we have Mike Sterling, whom understudies Enjolras but would later be cast as the principle Marius in the upcoming Manchester production, and would return to the West End production in 2002 as Jean Valjean.

I did a ton of clean up on the audio for this one and the sound is a wonderful improvement. Please enjoy! :)