Les Miserables Tickets

When you step off the train and onto that Central London platform, money magically disappears from your bank account. That’s how it feels, at least. After paying for travel, tickets to one of the top West End plays, and that delicious pre-theatre dinner, it’s perfectly reasonable to want to save a bit of dosh. But how can you make the most of visiting the Capital if you don't shell out a fortune? Let us help you plan the perfect trip. Here is a list of the best things to do in London for free.

See the theatrical sites

Theatreland is relatively small. The West End measures less than one square mile and is located smack bang in the centre of London. It's home to some of the world’s most famous and beloved theatres.

Spend the afternoon visiting St Martin’s Lane, where you can see the beautiful architecture of the London Coliseum before strolling past the Duke of York’s Theatre and Noël Coward Theatre. Venture onto The Strand, where The Vaudeville Theatre, The Savoy Theatre, and Adelphi Theatre sit. Get the full West End experience by walking up Shaftesbury Avenue to see the glittering lights of the Lyric Theatre, Apollo Theatre, Gielgud Theatre, Sondheim Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Shaftesbury Theatre. And that's just three streets. The West End is home to approximately 40 theatres, so why not see if you can visit them all? For a theatre lover, it’s one of the best things to do in London for free.

Shakespeare’s London Walking Tour

Thanks to the power of the internet, you can access countless free, self-guided walking tours of London. But for the theatrically inclined, a walking tour of Shakespeare’s London could be perfect. 

Discover the history of London and Shakespeare’s Globe as you journey down the Thames. Discover where the original Globe Theatre lived and all the local haunts the Bard frequented.

Free written and GPS tours are available to download. Free guided tours are available to book (usually subject to tipping) if you want a more in-depth experience.

Visit Sherling Backstage Walkway

Peek behind the curtain at the Sherling Backstage Walkway. The busy production workshops allow you to see how sets are constructed and assembled. Explore the workshops for free Monday to Saturday, one hour before performances at the Dorfman Theatre commence. Guided tours are available for £18.

Wander the South Bank

If you’ve visited the Sherling Backstage Walkway, take the time to wander around the South Bank. Peruse the brutalist architecture of the National Theatre and Royal Festival Hall before visiting the shops, bars, and restaurants on the riverbank. During the colder months, you can find stalls and markets offering festive cheer, and the summer brings free child-friendly entertainment. 

Take a trip to the Barbican

Another Brutalist building that offers plenty to see and do is the Barbican. The architecture alone is worth the visit, but the arts hub often has free exhibitions, too. Along with an eclectic schedule of events, the Barbican is home to the conservatory - a beautiful, urban, tropical oasis that’ll transport you from the concrete jungle into a plant covered concrete jungle. Visiting is one of the best things to do in London for free. And if you’re already there to see Mathew Baynton in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, we’ve just helped you kill another couple of hours. You’re welcome. 

Pop to a museum

London is full of free museums. From the British Museum to the Natural History Museum, the Young V&A to the National Maritime Museum. There’s a free museum to suit everyone’s interests in London. You can even glimpse the inner workings of animals at the Grant Museum of Zoology or humans at the Wellcome Collection.

Get an eyeful at a gallery

Just like museums, London is full of incredible, free art galleries. Experience a spectrum of art styles at institutions such as the Tate Modern, National Gallery, and God’s Own Junkyard. 

Step into a virtual space

Before heading to @sohoplace to see A Christmas Carol(ish) or Kyoto, be sure to check out Outernet.  

The digital art space offers free exhibitions and virtual experiences on giant screens. Step into immersive visual scapes for free and enjoy seasonal displays, pop culture references and more. Since opening in November 2022, it's fast become one of the best things to do in London for free. 

Les Misérables is one of the longest-running musicals in the West End and has been impressing audiences across the globe with its heart-wrenching story. Meet the cast that has been breaking audiences' hearts and taking them on an emotional journey through the French Revolution. Check out the cast below. 

Who plays Jean Valjean in the West End cast of Les Misérables?

Ian Mcintosh plays ex-prisoner Jean Valjean in the West End. Before taking on this iconic role, Mcintosh embarked on the UK tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, playing the titular role. He previously won an Olivier Award for his role in Beautiful: The Carole King for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, portraying Barry Mann

Who plays Javert in the West End cast of Les Misérables?

Stewart Clarke plays the stubborn Javert in the West End. Clarke previously played the role of Ernst Ludwig in Cabaret, and also played the role of The Squip in the Broadway hit Be More Chill.

Who plays Marius in the West End cast of Les Misérables?

Jacob Dachtler plays love-struck Marius in the West End. Dachtler originated the role of Jacob Fry in Babies, and portrayed Adam in MAMMA MIA! The Party.

Who plays Cosette in the West End cast of Les Misérables?

Annabelle Aquino plays Fantine’s innocent and kind-hearted daughter, Cosette. Les Misérables is her West End debut.

Who plays Fantine in the West End cast of Les Misérables?

Katie Hall plays the strong-willed and resilient Fantine in the West End. Hall’s previous credits include The Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story.

Who plays Eponine in the West End cast of Les Misérables?

Amena El-Kindy plays the dejected Eponine in the West End. El-Kindy’s previous credits include Beautiful – The Carole King Musical and Robin Hood: The Legend.

It’s the longest-running musical in the West End, and it has almost as many actors on stage than its had years at the Sondheim Theatre! The epic tale of justice and redemption has wowed London audiences for four decades. At its heart, the Les Misérables characters are what makes it. To help you navigate the extensive name list, here is your definitive guide to the key players.

Who are the main Les Misérables characters?

There are a whopping 33 adult cast members in Les Mis. You need a cast that size for a revolution, but if we had to learn all those names within 180 minutes, we probably wouldn’t remember anything else. Luckily, we only have to think about eleven, with four driving the narrative.

Jean Valjean

Jean Valjean - also known as Prisoner 24601, Monsieur Madeleine and various other pseudonyms - is our main protagonist. The show opens with him labouring in a chain gang of prisoners. His crime? Stealing a loaf of bread. After serving 19 years, he is given parole and released. Marked as an ex-convict, he struggles to find work, housing and even food. A bishop offers him shelter and a meal. To repay his kindness, Valjean steals his silver. When captured, the bishop says the silver was gifted and insists Valjean uses it to become an honest man.

We jump forward to him running a successful factory. When one of his ex-workers dies, he is filled with guilt and adopts the orphaned daughter, striving to give her a good and peaceful life. While trying to become a good man, his past catches up with him in the form of a prison guard, Javert, who doesn’t want him to forget his past misdeeds.

Javert

Enraged by Jean Valjean’s release, Javert embarks on a lifelong mission to recapture Prisoner 24601. The most driven of the Les Misérables characters dedicates his life to tracking down the former inmate, spending almost 20 years in his quest. But why is Javert obsessed with Valjean? Javert is a lawful man. When Valjean breaks his parole, Javert desperately longs to bring him to justice. The elusiveness of the former prisoner fuels the desire to catch him and put him in his place. Along with pride, Javert is single-minded in his pursuit, which leads to a life of very little meaning.

Cosette

The orphaned girl adopted by Valjean, Cosette, is a key character in the story and the subject of many Les Miserable songs. The fair and definitively good daughter of the ill-fated Fantine, she is Jean Valjean’s reason for being kind, the object of desire for Marius, and the source of envy for Eponine. 

Marius

The main love interest in the show and our gateway into the revolution, Marius falls for Cosette and must choose his love or his country in the show’s climax. Young, misguided and giddy with infatuation, he is the depiction of youth and bravery during troubled times.

Sondheim Theatre is named after the legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim (the clue is literally in the name), and located in the heart of theatreland on Shaftesbury Avenue - an address also shared with The Lyric Theatre and The Apollo Theatre, Gielgud Theatre!

The Grade II listed building opened as the Queen's Theatre in 1907, as a twin to the neighbouring Hicks Theatre (now the Gielgud Theatre). Unsurprisingly for a theatre, it has a pretty dramatic history! In the 1940s a German bomb fell onto the building during a production of Rebecca, the space then stayed shut for the next 20 years before opening with a one man production of Shakespeare speeches and sonnets by its neighbours namesake John Gielgud. In 2019, after a 20 week refurbishment the theatre was reopened, and renamed. The one thing that didn’t change? The musical playing inside. Sondheim Theatre has been the home to Les Misérables for the past 20 years! 

What are the best seats at Sondheim Theatre?

Choosing the best seats at The Sondheim Theatre depends on your personal preference. If you like to feel fully immersed in the piece, and want to feel as close to the action as possible, then the Stalls, which sit on the ground floor, are your best bet. And, with no aisle in the large auditorium, this is the largest section of the theatre, so there are plenty of seats to choose from! The rake is subtle however, meaning that it may be difficult to avoid taller audience members if they sit in front of you. There is also an overhang from the Dress Circle, meaning that the upper half of the stage (and the top half of the Les Misérables barricade) is obstructed if you are at the very back of this section.

If you want to take in the entire spectacle, and with the huge ensemble and big set pieces, Les Miserables is a spectacle, then the Dress Circle is an excellent choice. One level above the Stalls, and overlooking the stage, you can see the entire stage in all its glory. If you’re looking for cheaper seats, the ‘slips’ in the Dress Circle are a great choice, they sit at an angle, but still provide a brilliant view if you don’t mind leaning forward.

Sitting above the Dress Circle is the Upper Circle. This is the highest section in the theatre, and therefore can feel slightly distant from the action. However, the legroom is excellent and the views are unobstructed. It’s a great choice if you are looking for a budget friendly option. 

Sondheim Theatre seating plan

Les Misérables, the timeless West End musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, has enraptured audiences worldwide with its poignant story, memorable characters, and unforgettable music. Composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg, with lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, the musical's songs evoke a range of emotions, from heartbreak to hope, as they follow the journey of redemption and revolution. Delve into the magic of Les Misérables' songs with this definitive guide and experience the power of the barricades at the Sondheim Theatre in London - one of the West End’s longest running musicals.

The Most Notable Les Misérables Songs

Les Misérables' songs, performed by a talented cast, have left an indelible mark on musical theatre, with each piece contributing to the narrative's depth and emotional resonance. Experience the grandeur of these songs firsthand as they unfold on stage.

Prologue: Work Song

Amidst fellow convicts, Jean Valjean, known as prisoner 24601, faces the consequences of stealing bread to save his family. Though he yearns for freedom, Javert, the prison guard, and society brand him a lifelong convict. This powerful opening sets the stage for the show's major themes and the looming clash between Valjean and Javert.

Prologue: Valjean Arrested/Valjean Forgiven

In the throes of despair, Jean Valjean faces immediate arrest for stealing silver from the Bishop’s abode. Yet, amidst his darkest hour, an unexpected act of compassion unfolds. The Bishop, rather than condemn him, forgives Valjean and proclaims the silver a gift. 

Prologue: What Have I Done?

Valjean confronts his inner demons in 'Prologue: What Have I Done?' The Bishop's profound declaration, "I have bought your soul for God," resonates deeply within him. With poignant self-reflection, Valjean condemns his past actions, likening himself to a "thief in the night... a dog on the run." Determined to forge a new path, he embraces a fresh identity, a renewed narrative, and a transcendent purpose.

At the End of the Day

'At the End of the Day' is a powerful ensemble number that sets the tone for the hardships faced by the poor and downtrodden in 19th-century France. The song's stirring melodies and impassioned lyrics introduce the audience to the harsh realities of life for characters like Fantine, establishing the backdrop for the unfolding drama.

I Dreamed a Dream

Known as one of the most famous Les Misérables' songs, 'I Dreamed a Dream' is a haunting solo performed by Fantine, reflecting on her shattered dreams and lost innocence. The song's emotive lyrics and melody capture Fantine's despair and longing for a better life, making it one of the musical's most memorable moments.

In My Life

'In My Life' is a heartfelt duet between Cosette and Valjean, as they reflect on their shared past and the bond that unites them. The song's introspective lyrics capture the characters' love and gratitude, offering a moment of quiet intimacy.

Castle on a Cloud

'Castle on a Cloud' is a tender solo performed by young Cosette, as she dreams of a better life away from the cruelty of the Thénardiers. The song's gentle melody and innocent lyrics capture Cosette's longing for love and security.

A Heart Full of Love

'A Heart Full of Love' is a tender trio sung by Marius, Cosette, and Eponine, expressing their feelings of love and longing amidst the tumult of revolution. The song's beautiful harmonies and romantic melodies capture the complexities of their relationships, offering a moment of respite amidst the chaos of war.

One Day More

'One Day More' is a powerful ensemble number that serves as the climax of Act I, bringing together the major characters as they confront their destinies on the eve of the June Rebellion. The song's stirring melodies and overlapping harmonies build tension and anticipation, setting the stage for the revolution to come. It’s hard to think of a more iconic Les Misérables song!

On My Own

'On My Own' is a poignant solo sung by Eponine, expressing her unrequited love for Marius and her loneliness as she navigates the harsh realities of life on the streets of Paris. The song's emotive melody and heartfelt lyrics capture Eponine's resilience and vulnerability, offering a glimpse into her inner world as she longs for a love that can never be.

At the Barricade (Upon These Stones)

'At the Barricade (Upon These Stones)' is a stirring ensemble number performed by the revolutionaries as they prepare to defend their makeshift barricade against the forces of the French army. The song's defiant chorus and anthemic melody capture the characters' courage and determination in the face of oppression, setting the stage for the climactic battle to come.

The London Marathon has become an annual, inspiring and colourful fixture in the world's sporting calendar since the inaugural race in 1981, and the event continues to grow, with more than 50,000 runners taking to the capital today to complete the iconic, and gruelling, 26.2 mile run.

Not to brag, but we’ve completed a fair number of marathons in our day (binging TV series and going to a matinee AND evening show in one day count as marathons, right?) To celebrate todays long run, we’ve compiled a list of the West Ends longest running musicals. How many PBs (performances beheld) have you earned?​

Just call us cupid, because we’re going to point you in the direction of your next true love! These West End wonders come in all shapes and sizes, so we guarantee you and your partner will find your perfect match. Whether you are looking for a distinguished older gentleman (The Phantom of the Opera), a burning love affair (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), or you just want to lion the sofa with your head on a warm, hairy, chest, (The Lion King) there’s something for everyone!

More of a Palentines person? We’ve handpicked the very best shows that celebrate the power of friendship, check them out here.

It has been announced today that Killian Donnelly will return to Les Misérables as Jean Valjean in the critically acclaimed production at the Sondheim Theatre from Tuesday 31 October 2023 for 15 weeks only. Due to family reasons, Josh Piterman, who is currently playing the role, will return home to Australia. His final performances will take place on Saturday 21 October 2023. Les Misérables tickets are available to book now!

There is nothing like a new cast of Les Miserables to change the world! A host of familiar and new faces will steal the spotlight in this world-conquering production at the Sondheim Theatre from Monday 25 September 2023. The rebellion shows no sign of slowing down, and Les Miserables continues to rewrite the record books, secure your tickets for one of the worlds most beloved productions today!

Exciting news for fans of Les Misérables! The hit musical, set amidst the dark and crowded streets of 19th-century France, has just announced an extension of its booking period until Saturday 2 March 2024 at the Sondheim Theatre. 

Don't miss your chance to witness the powerful tale of an unlikely duo's fight for freedom and redemption. With an unforgettable score and a stunning production, this timeless masterpiece continues to inspire audiences with its unwavering message of hope and resilience. Book your tickets now and experience the remarkable human spirit brought to life on stage!