Samantha Barks returns to the West End production of Boublil and Schönberg’s musical sensation Les Misérables. to play the role of ‘Fantine’ at the Sondheim Theatre, London for 8 performances only from 18 -23 May 2026.
Samantha Barks was first discovered by Cameron Mackintosh in the I’d Do Anything TV search to play Nancy in his West End production of Oliver!, where he also found Jessie Buckley, Rachel Tucker and Jodie Prenger.
She went on to play the role of Éponine in the West End and the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables at the O2 Arena and played Nancy in the UK Tour of Oliver!. During this period, she beat great competition to secure the role of Éponine in the Oscar-winning film adaptation of Les Misérables, which brought her international acclaim. She has since taken leading roles in Pretty Woman on Broadway, Frozen in London and most recently the world premiere of The Greatest Showman.
She now returns to Les Misérables in London at the Sondheim Theatre as Fantine, before joining the Les Misérables: Arena Concert Spectacular in London, Birmingham and at the iconic Radio City Musical Hall in New York.
Samantha Barks said: “Returning to Les Misérables in the West End feels like a true full-circle moment. Sixteen years ago, I first stepped into Éponine’s shoes, with so much still to learn. Now, I return with a deeper understanding of the story and its heart, to take on Fantine— I always wanted to return one day as Fantine, and it feels even more meaningful in this chapter of my life as a mother. This show has shaped so much of my journey, both on stage and on screen, and I’m incredibly grateful to revisit it with fresh perspective. London is where it all began for me, and to be back here telling this story again is incredibly special for me.”
Samantha Barks joins the West End cast; Ian McIntosh as ‘Jean Valjean’, Sam Oladeinde as ‘Javert’, Harry Hepple as ‘Thénardier’, Lizzie Bea as ‘Madame Thénardier’, Thiago Phillip Felizardo as ‘Marius’, and Izzi Levine as ‘Cosette’, Jess Folley as ‘Éponine’ and Joe Griffiths-Brown as ‘Enjolras’. Martha Kirby will continue to play ‘Fantine’ from 25 May.
The company is completed by Hollie Aires, Hazel Baldwin, Ella May Carter, Nicholas Carter, Matthew Dale, Irfan Damani, Lily De-La-Haye, Lila Falce-Bass, Sophie-May Feek, Jessica Johns-Parsons, Seán Keany, Chris Kiely, Sam Kipling, Mia Lamb, Sarah Lark, Ollie Llewelyn-Williams, Matthew McConnell, Aaron-Jade Morgan, Adam Pearce, William Pennington, Jordan Simon Pollard, Lewis Renninson, Danielle Rose, Georgia Tapp, Noah Thallon, Imaan Victoria, Danny Whelan and Ollie Wray.
Cameron Mackintosh’s production of LES MISÉRABLES is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo.
It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.
Orchestrations are by Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker with original orchestrations by John Cameron.
The production is directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou, Christine Rowland and Paul Wills, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, projections realised by Finn Ross & Fifty Nine Productions, musical staging by Geoffrey Garratt, and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Alfonso Casado Trigo
Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent iconic score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more. Several of its songs have become real life anthems of revolution wherever in the world people are fighting for their freedom. Seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries and in 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.
I saw this new production of Les Miserables on Broadway back in 2016 and have been longing for the London production to be updated ever since. Gone is the revolving stage (to many fans disappointment) but what the newly refurbished (and renamed) Sondheim Theatre has gained is a modernised and fresh look to what was starting to become a very outdated production.
The set design is phenomenal, giving a much fuller French look and feel with actors standing on apartment balconies and scenic video backdrops bringing movement and life to the show. Costumes are fresher and more colourful than previously and the whole production is just a joy to experience from start to finish.
On the night I saw this show, it was the Alternate ‘Jean Valjean’ Luke McCall’s first performance and he did a great job. Once he really settles in to the role I think he has what it takes to be up there with the best of them. Bradley Jaden as ‘Javert’ has really grown into this role over the last couple of years and his performance now is polished and on point. No stranger to Les Miserables, Carrie Hope Fletcher is working her way through the various roles in the show having played both ‘young’ and ‘old’ Eponine over the years and now takes on the part of ‘Fantine’. Shan Ako shines as ‘Eponine’ and the Thenardiers Ian Hughes and Josefina Gabrielle play the comic roles very well. Harry Apps is a lovely ‘Marius’ and Lily Kerhoas is perfectly cast as ‘Cosette’.
This new production of Les Miserables really has to be seen to be believed and breathes a breath of fresh air into what was becoming a slightly stale show. The show has been running in the West End for over thirty years and this new production could see it live on for just as long.
Reviewed by West End Wilma (2020)
Booking until
March 2027
Show Times
Monday – Saturday: 7:30pm
Thursday & Saturday: 2:30pm
Running Time
2 hours 50 minutes including a 15 minute interval
Theatre
Sondheim Theatre
Age Recommendation
7+
Access Performances
Audio Described Performances
Saturday 28 March & 5 September 2026
Captioned Performance
26 September 2026
