THEATRE

Les backstage story!

Les Misérables is is currently enjoying a mammoth stay in Milton Keynes. Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of the legendary musical by Boublil and Schönberg is back in town by popular demand, and this new staging, complete with scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, is guaranteed to wow. But what does it take to put Les Misérables together? Sammy Jones has been fact checking.

Worldwide, more than 130 million people have taken a seat for a performance of Les Misérables.

It has played in 52 countries, and Valjean’s story has been translated into 22 languages.

Les Mis isn’t only one of the most popular shows on the stage, it is also one of the largest productions. It takes a cast of 33, a 14-piece orchestra and a technical team of 32 to bring the show to life eight times a week.

Moving the sets, costumes and equipment from one venue to another involves more than a couple of motors! It actually takes 14 45foot trailers to get the job done, and with just three days between the show finishing at one venue and opening at the next, it’s all hands on deck – more than 100 people are involved in ensuring the transfer goes as planned, and they work around the clock to ensure success.

If doing the family laundry brings you out in a sweat, spare a thought for those who spend their time ensuring the show costumes are pristine. Incredibly, there are more than 2000 items of costume, accessories, hats and shoes - each pair of shoes is made specifically for individual cast members.

Those costumes are flung off in quick time, too – the female and male ensemble have up to 10 clothing changes during each performance... The Lovely Ladies actually wear their bloomers and corsets for three scenes before they are revealed!

The costumes are made brand new, but then need to undergo a process to make them look old – they are dyed to achieve the desired effect, and cheese graters and tea bags are regularly called for to distress the material!

There are 103 wigs – all made from human hair – used by cast members.

If you presume that things are a little calmer in the wings, you are very much mistaken – the place is a hive of well-timed activity.

A deputy stage manager is responsible for running each wing, and while you are relaxing in the auditorium with a G&T and something

The backstage team includes:

One company manager One assistant company manager Five stage management Three touring carpenters Two automation operators Four sound operators Three touring electricians Four wigs personnel Five wardrobe personnel One retail manager Two fly men Four follow-spot operators Six stage crew Seven dressers One touring head chaperone Two travelling chaperones

All pics: Danny Kaan

to nibble on, the DSM is resident at the prompt desk, issuing cues to lighting, sound, automation and stage management.

And what about all of those props? They have to be checked off before the curtain rises by the assistant stage managers armed with a trusty check sheet.

If you’ve ever endured the pain of a muffled performance, you’ll know how frustrating sound issues can be. Les Misérables is highly unlikely to leave your ears short changed though – four members of the sound-department make sure everything is crystal clear.

On stage, the cast wear 40 radio microphones, all of which are hidden from view – by wigs, hats and hair.

The show also installs a full surround system wherever it plays, with around 170 speakers front of house, helping ensure the production will only ever sound great!

That’s your little peek behind the curtain of one of the most famous shows in the world.

Now when you take a pew at Milton Keynes Theatre and Jean Valjean belts out Bring Him Home, you’ll know about the bustle backstage!

> Les Miserables, Milton Keynes Theatre, April 26 – May 21 Book in: atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes