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Les Mis takes long-running crown Les Mis takes long-running crown
(about 1 hour later)
Les Miserables is to celebrate becoming the West End's longest-running musical.Les Miserables is to celebrate becoming the West End's longest-running musical.
A party with many of the original cast will celebrate the show's 21st birthday after Saturday's performance at London's Queen's Theatre.A party with many of the original cast will celebrate the show's 21st birthday after Saturday's performance at London's Queen's Theatre.
Les Miserables has chalked up roughly 38,000 professional performances worldwide since opening at the city's Barbican on 8 October 1985.Les Miserables has chalked up roughly 38,000 professional performances worldwide since opening at the city's Barbican on 8 October 1985.
Michael Ball, who played Marius, told BBC News: "We thought we'd be looking for new jobs after the first night."Michael Ball, who played Marius, told BBC News: "We thought we'd be looking for new jobs after the first night."
Based on the Victor Hugo novel which charts social upheaval in 19th Century France, Les Miserables was an instant hit despite mixed reviews.Based on the Victor Hugo novel which charts social upheaval in 19th Century France, Les Miserables was an instant hit despite mixed reviews.
LES MISERABLES IN NUMBERS Performed in 38 countries and 223 citiesTranslated into 21 languages31 cast recordingsMore than one million original London cast albums sold Each performance uses 101 cast and crew, 392 costumes and 31 wigsLES MISERABLES IN NUMBERS Performed in 38 countries and 223 citiesTranslated into 21 languages31 cast recordingsMore than one million original London cast albums sold Each performance uses 101 cast and crew, 392 costumes and 31 wigs
"It was due to run for 11 weeks. After the reviews we thought we would lucky to do that but the very next morning the phones were jammed," said Ball."It was due to run for 11 weeks. After the reviews we thought we would lucky to do that but the very next morning the phones were jammed," said Ball.
"It just shows the power of word of mouth and the power of the story to touch people.""It just shows the power of word of mouth and the power of the story to touch people."
Sally Frith, 41, from Kings Stanley in Gloucestershire, is thought to be the musical's biggest fan after seeing it 738 times. Sally Frith, 41, from Kings Stanley in Gloucestershire, is thought to be the musical's biggest fan.
Saturday night's performance will be the 740th time she has seen the production.
She says she has spent nearly £30,000 on trips to see the show after first watching it in 1988, since when tickets have risen from £5 to £22.50.She says she has spent nearly £30,000 on trips to see the show after first watching it in 1988, since when tickets have risen from £5 to £22.50.
"I don't drink or smoke, I've got no vices apart from the theatre," she said."I don't drink or smoke, I've got no vices apart from the theatre," she said.
"I know about 90% of the words now. I can usually tell if there's a mistake.""I know about 90% of the words now. I can usually tell if there's a mistake."