ABSTRACT
The musical's phenomenal global success has lasted for over thirty years, across multiple continents, languages and media. Of all musicals, something about Les Miserables is seen to be the most musical of musicals, far too much of everything, and far too much crying in its audience. Writing about what makes this one musical so beloved by so many people seemed a fascinating task. Unbeknown to Mackintosh, the French lyricist Alain Boublil had attended and noted that the street-wise urchin the Artful Dodger was not a million miles away from the Gavroche character in Hugo's epic novel; perhaps a musical could be made out of the novel. The musical premiered in the Barbican Centre in 1985, which was at that time the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) London base. A megamusical in the Barbican with the full support of the RSC was a bit much for most opening night critics to contend with.
