The Les Miserables cast is coming together nicely now and my nagging feeling that the film could be a car crash is starting to die down. Since my last update there have been some more cast members announced including Mamma Mia’s Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Broadway star Aaron Tveita as student leader Enjolras and most recently British stage star Samantha Barks as Eponine. Barks first came to public prominence in the 2008 BBC talent show I’d Do Anything and since then has appeared on stage as Sally Bowles, Nancy and Eponine in the London production of Les Miserables and the 25th Anniversary concert. The unveiling of Barks was a piece of genius by Cameron Mackintosh who travelled to Manchester to tell her in person during an Oliver curtain call.
The most exciting casting news however is that of the Bishop of Digne, the man who sets Valjean onto the path of righteousness. Colm Wilkinson, the original Valjean, has won that role and will provide a beautiful link to the stage version and should keep fans happy. As should the fact that original Eponine, Frances Ruffelle will play one of the “Lovely Ladies”. I’m now very excited and looking forward to 7th December when the film is due to be released.