ABSTRACT
Thinking about why audiences have retained a special connection with the musical means addressing the sheer length of time Les Miserables has been running uninterrupted in the West End for over 10,000 performances. In the author's research, the only connection at the time made between the two is in a YouTube clip where Joan Bakewell is attending the opening night party of the musical. Indeed, the experience of performing individual songs from the musical in concerts or the whole schools version was a key part of many people's connection with the musical. Cameron Mackintosh said he was 'gob-smacked by the emotional powerhouse performance' the clip propelled the song to the top of the music charts, and created new audiences for the musical. The YouTube clip of Anne Hathaway's performance of the song attracted new audiences to the musical through the movie.
