For many audiences, Les Misérables is the ultimate musical.

Evergreen and ever-popular, Les Mis bridges the gap between popular musicals and serious theatre and even musical-haters won’t be able to help but love this spectacular production.

The magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the songs I Dreamed a Dream; On My Own; Bring Him Home; Do You Hear the People Sing?; One Day More; Empty Chairs at Empty Tables; Master Of The House and many more.

This international award-winning musical sweeps its audience through an epic tale of passion and destruction, against the backdrop of the French revolution.

Seen by more than 55million people worldwide in 40 countries and in 21 languages, this spectacular adaptation of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece continues to thrill audiences night after night.

The simply stunning sets are based on original paintings by the author himself, and at once conjure up Hugo’s France with mysterious buildings, dark and brooding landscapes and add an unusual quality of light to the proceedings. Innovative use of cinematographic techniques brought these backdrops to vivid life, adding to the animation and pace of the piece.

John Owen-Jones gives a sublime performance as Jean Valjean, ageing effortlessly before our very eyes, but one would have expected no less of this veteran of musical theatre.

The real revelation is pop singer Gareth Gates. Anyone thinking that he’s been cast as a box office draw alone would be sadly mistaken. As he has grown in stature so have his musical and acting abilities, and his sensitive performance as Marius is a joy to watch.

In such a large cast as this, it is unusual to find such a high level of quality, but Ashley Artus (Thenardier), Earl Carpenter (Javert), Rosalind James (Eponine), Lynne Wilmost (Madame Thenardier) and Jon Robyns (Enjolras) stand out, even in this exceptional company.

Any production that can make the audience laugh, cry, cheer and rise to their collective feet as one just cannot be missed.

Cameron Mackintosh’s 25th anniversary production of Les Misérables runs at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, until January 16th.

Ticket availability is very limited. Call 08700 40 2000 for details.