Cameron Mackintosh on Keeping ‘Les Miserables’ Fresh After 40 Years and Its Lasting Appeal
variety.comJazz Tangcay Artisans Editor “My job is to make sure that every production, wherever it is in the world, is to make it seem like nobody has ever seen it before,” theater producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh says talking about his shows like “Cats,” “Miss Saigon,” “Oliver,” “Mary Poppins” and “Les Miserables.” It’s the latter which is currently dazzling audiences at Hollywood’s Pantages through Sept.
10 and has undergone a makeover for its latest incarnation. Over 71 million people worldwide have seen the show. Dazzling special effects, new projections and even an update to how Inspector Javert dies are among the changes in the current production.
This production is co-directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor, both of whom are familiar with 19th century France that Mackintosh created from Victor Hugo’s classic novel. “Laurence and John started off with me in the original London production,” he says.
The key to assembling a creative team was understanding how great the original was and that each new generation of director brings something new to the production. “You don’t change it for change’s sake.
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