Les Misérables Arena Concert Spectacular 2026: Full Cast Revealed for UK, Ireland and New York Dates

Cameron Mackintosh has unveiled the full casting for Les Misérables The Arena Concert Spectacular's highly anticipated 2026 dates across the UK, Ireland and New York. Following a record-breaking world tour that launched in Belfast in 2024 and has since sold over a million tickets across 30 cities in 25 countries, the supersized production will return with a company that includes some of the most celebrated names in musical theatre.

The announcement confirms Alfie Boe, Killian Donnelly and Gerónimo Rauch will share the role of Jean Valjean, with Samantha Barks joining the company as Fantine and Matt Lucas taking on the comedic role of Thénardier. The production will visit Dublin, Birmingham and London before crossing the Atlantic for a residency at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

A Starry Company for an Epic Production

The casting brings together artists with deep connections to Les Misérables and the wider West End. Killian Donnelly is a beloved Jean Valjean, having previously played the role in the London production and on tour. Gerónimo Rauch, an equally powerful presence in the part, has performed Valjean across multiple international productions. Alfie Boe, meanwhile, has become virtually synonymous with the role after his celebrated turn in the 25th Anniversary Concert at The O2 and subsequent appearances in the staged concert format.

Bradley Jaden, who made a huge impression as Javert in both the West End and on the arena tour, will reprise the role alongside Jeremy Secomb, another experienced interpreter of the relentless inspector. The two will alternate across the various dates and venues.

Samantha Barks, who famously played Éponine in the 2012 film adaptation directed by Tom Hooper, steps into the role of Fantine for the Birmingham, London and New York dates. Katie Hall, who has previously played both Fantine and Cosette in West End and touring productions, will take on the role for the Dublin leg.

Matt Lucas brings his considerable comic talents to the role of Thénardier, with Luke Kempner stepping in for selected Dublin performances. Marina Prior and Helen Walsh will share the role of Madame Thénardier across the various stops. Completing the principal company are Jac Yarrow as Marius, Shan Ako as Éponine, Beatrice Penny-Touré as Cosette and Christian Mark Gibbs as Enjolras.

Dublin, Birmingham, London and New York: The Full Schedule

The Arena Concert Spectacular will begin its 2026 run at Dublin's 3Arena from 29 May to 6 June, offering multiple performances with different lead casting combinations. Donnelly and Rauch will share the Valjean duties, while Jaden and Secomb alternate as Javert. Katie Hall plays Fantine for the Dublin dates.

The production then moves to Birmingham's Utilita Arena from 11 to 14 June, where Samantha Barks joins as Fantine. Donnelly and Rauch continue to share Valjean, with Jaden and Secomb again alternating as Javert.

London audiences will be treated to performances at the Royal Albert Hall from 18 to 21 June. This is where the casting becomes particularly exciting, as Alfie Boe joins the company for two of the London performances. Boe will play Valjean on the opening night (18 June at 7.30pm) and the final London performance (21 June at 1.00pm), with Donnelly and Rauch covering the remaining shows. Barks continues as Fantine, and Marina Prior returns as Madame Thénardier for the London dates.

The company then heads to New York for an extended residency at Radio City Music Hall from 23 July to 9 August 2026. All three Valjeans (Boe, Donnelly and Rauch) will appear, alongside Barks as Fantine and the full principal company. Specific performance assignments for New York have yet to be confirmed.

The 40th Anniversary Celebration Continues

The Arena Concert Spectacular represents the culmination of the musical's 40th anniversary celebrations, which have been running throughout 2024 and 2025. Les Misérables first opened in London in October 1985, with a landmark English-language production by the Royal Shakespeare Company that transferred to the West End and subsequently conquered Broadway and the rest of the world.

The arena format has proven to be a phenomenon in its own right. Developed from Les Misérables: The Staged Concert, which played at the Gielgud Theatre in 2019 during renovations at the show's West End home, the arena version was reimagined for vast venues with thousands of seats. The results have been staggering: over a million tickets sold across an initial world tour that visited 25 countries, making it one of the most successful concert tours in musical theatre history.

The London production of the show, meanwhile, continues its open-ended run at the Sondheim Theatre, ensuring that fans can experience the full staged version alongside this spectacular concert treatment.

Creative Team Behind the Spectacle

The Arena Concert Spectacular features direction by James Powell and Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy, with a new design by Matt Kinley specifically created for large-scale venues. The lighting design is by the multi-award-winning Paule Constable alongside Warren Letton, and sound design is by Mick Potter. These creative choices have been specifically tailored to bring the emotional intimacy of the musical's storytelling to audiences of 10,000 or more without sacrificing the dramatic power of Schönberg and Boublil's iconic score.

The musical itself, with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, original French lyrics by Alain Boublil, and English lyrics by the late Herbert Kretzmer, remains one of the most performed and beloved works in the entire musical theatre canon. Based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel, the story of Jean Valjean's quest for redemption against the backdrop of 19th-century France has resonated with audiences for four decades and shows no sign of diminishing in popularity.

Should You Book?

With a cast of this calibre and the proven success of the arena format, tickets for these dates are likely to sell rapidly. The Royal Albert Hall performances in particular represent a rare chance to see Les Misérables in one of the world's most iconic concert venues, and the presence of Alfie Boe will be a significant draw for fans who remember his legendary 25th Anniversary Concert performance.

If you're planning to attend, pay close attention to the casting schedule for each venue. The principal alternates mean that your experience could vary significantly depending on which performance you choose. For those who want to see Alfie Boe as Valjean, the London options are limited to just two performances, so booking early is essential.

For theatregoers who prefer the fully staged experience, Les Misérables continues at the Sondheim Theatre in the West End, where you can see the complete production with its famous revolving stage and full theatrical staging.

Looking for more West End musicals to book? Browse our full list of musicals currently playing in London, or explore all available shows to find your next theatre outing.