Broadway and West End favourite Killian Donnelly comes to Edinburgh to star in Les Miserables

Killian Donnelly as Jean Valjean. Photo Matt Crockett

Donnelly, who is currently playing the role in London, will give his final performance there on 9 June, prior to taking over the lead in the touring production.

A huge favourite with musical theatre fans, Donnelly is also known for playing the principal role of Charlie Price in Kinky Boots on Broadway, a part he originated in the West End in 2015 and for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh says, “When I announced the first UK tour of Les Misérables for 10 years, I was really delighted that Killian said to me that he would like to continue playing Jean Valjean.

“No stranger to the original production, having played both Enjolras and Valjean with enormous success, his passionate take on the role will be even greater in the thrilling staging of my new production which has proved to be a worldwide success all over again.”

Donnelly first joined the company of Les Misérables in 2008, going on to play the role of Enjolras from 2009 to 2011.

In 2010, he played Courfeyrac in the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables at The O2 Arena and also played Combeferre in the multi-award-winning Hollywood movie version of the show in 2012.

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption. It is a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit.

Ex-convict Jean Valjean is hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole.

When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.

In taking on the role, Donnelly is following in some highly revered footsteps.

Mackintosh explains, “Killian is the first Irishman to play the role since Colm Wilkinson in the original and I’m delighted that from advance bookings, this new tour looks set to be sold out before we open”.

Mackintosh’s new production, first staged to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary in 2009, has since been embraced as ‘Les Mis for the 21st century’ and will run at the Festival Theatre from Tuesday 22 January to Saturday 16 February 2019.

Featuring scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, Boublil and Schönberg’s award-winning score includes the songs On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, One Day More and I Dreamed a Dream, which gained the attention of a whole new audience when it was sung by Susan Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent.

Les Misérables, Festival Theatre, Nicolson Street, Wednesday 22 January-Saturday 16 February 2019, 7.30pm (matinees 2.30pm) £32-£65, 0131-529 6000