IAN LEWIS speaks to the men behind the production of Les Miserables which comes to Bradford next month.

The "greatest show on earth" is on its way to Bradford with the city's theatre-goers promised a production up to West End and Broadway standards.

Les Miserables - produced by Cameron Mackintosh - opens for a 12-week run at the Alhambra theatre on June 10.

The musical, which has been on tour for a year, is currently being staged at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre.

But next month the Les Miserables entourage - a cast of 32 professional actors and full 18-strong orchestra, as well as a revolving stage and massive set transported by at least eight trucks - will arrive in Bradford.

The production's resident director is Shaun Kerrison, who has previously worked on 'Les Mis' in London for five years and has also appeared in it as Feuilly, one of the students.

Taking time out from rehearsals with half-a-dozen local youngsters - handpicked from hundreds of auditioning hopefuls to play Gavroche, Cosette and Eponine - at Bingley Arts Centre, he said: "This is the show's second year of touring but we've now got a completely new company of fresh talent.

"Nearly all of the cast are new to the show but they've been in Southampton since April and are just bursting with enthusiasm, so by the time it opens in Bradford people will be seeing 'Les Mis' at its very best.

"I don't think there's anything quite like 'Les Mis' and it's just so exciting to be working on it. Everyone involved in the production will tell you it's a show that changes people's lives. Our show looks every bit as good as you'd see in New York or London but will be playing at a theatre near you.

"It's a breath-taking production and it's going to be like the circus or the greatest show on earth rolling into town. It's about as near perfect a piece of musical theatre that's ever been written and the best show of its generation which is why I'm still working on it.''

Les Miserables has been seen by 40 million people around the world and is known as the people's musical. Shaun said this made it perfect for taking on tour around the country.

"I've seen the show in Germany, Japan and France and everywhere it's performed the audiences bring a local flavour to it," he said.

"One of the best receptions we've had was in Manchester so we're really looking forward to coming to Bradford because we know the northern audiences are going to be very warm and responsive. There are no big names in the show but it's never fed on that. With 'Les Mis' it's the story itself and the whole company which are the stars.

"For whoever comes to see it there are elements of the story which speak to them no matter who they are. And it's one of the few musicals which really appeal to men. It deals with real situations and doesn't even treat romance in a sentimental way."

According to musical director Steve Brooker, the Alhambra is a very good theatre to play in - a perfect size for the show, big but with an intimate quality.

"The theatre's got such a good reputation, is so well respected and well looked after that being resident there for nearly three months is a very exciting prospect in itself," Steve said.

"If a show doesn't have a strong story the music is not going to make any sense but 'Les Mis' is a very passionate story and from a conductor's point of view there is so much emotional and musical satisfaction. So much of the drama is complemented by the orchestra and it's just very, very exciting to work on."

A spokesman for the Alhambra theatre said: "Les Miserables is the world's biggest musical and just such a big thing for Bradford. We have had nothing on this scale here since Cats a few years ago."

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