Latest news with #LesMisérables
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Donald and Melania Trump to attend Kennedy Center's opening night of Les Misérables
WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are set to attend the opening-night showing of the musical Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center next week, making a rare public appearance in Washington's nightlife by visiting the cultural institution Trump controversially took over. The White House confirmed the first couple's attendance to USA TODAY. But they won't be seeing all of the musical's cast members, some of whom plan to sit out of the show that night, CNN and the Washington Post reported. Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance will also attend the same showing of Les Misérables, Fox News reported. The musical debuts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on June 11 and runs through July 13. "I love the songs, I love the play," Trump told Fox News on June 3 after The Atlantic first reported on the plans to attend Les Misérables. "I think it's great ‒ we may extend it." Les Misérables, set in early 19th-century France, tells the story of French peasant Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who struggles to find redemption after 19 years in prison. Trump is known to have "Do you hear the people sing? ‒ one of the musical's most famous songs about everyday people rising up against injustices ‒ playing as he enters for campaign rallies. For JD Vance, his attendance at the Kennedy Center comes after he was loudly booed and jeered while attending a National Symphony Orchestra performance at the center in March. Just weeks into his second White House term, Trump ousted the Kennedy Center's leadership in February and named himself board chairman after complaining about "woke" programming and "drag shows" at the center. He named top ally Ric Grenell, his envoy for special missions, as the Kennedy Center's new president. But Trump's takeover has sparked a significant backlash. Acts such as actress Issa Rae and the Broadway hit "Hamilton" canceled previously scheduled Kennedy Center performances in response to Trump's takeover. And the center has experienced a nosedive in yearly subscriptions. The Washington Post reported sales of subscriptions for the next season of programming at the Kenny Center have plummeted by 36%, down about $1.6 million in revenue from subscription sales to theater, dance, classical and other seasons of performance from the same point in 2014. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
ITV Britain's Got Talent icon shares heartfelt update after six year break
ITV Britain's Got Talent icon shares heartfelt update after six year break Susan Boyle has shared an exciting career update with her Instagram followers Britain's Got Talent icon Susan Boyle has shared an emotional update with her loyal fans, opening up about the trials she's faced after a lengthy break from the spotlight. The much-loved Scottish singer, aged 64, captured hearts globally following her stunning rendition of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Misérables on the renowned ITV series in 2009. Since her meteoric rise to fame, Susan has sold an impressive 25 million records, leaving an indelible imprint on the music world. Despite her immense success, recent years have seen Susan face considerable challenges. The vocal powerhouse has previously been candid regarding her health concerns. In 2016, Susan disclosed her two-stone weight loss following her diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes and confessed: "I needed to stop eating sweeties and cakes. It's the bane of my life." Adding to her struggles, Susan suffered a stroke in 2022, which demanded considerable strength to overcome. Susan Boyle issued a touching update to fans (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below Speaking out to What's on Scotland, Susan previously revealed: "It's taken me three years and it's been hard - I'm not going to pretend otherwise, but it's made me determined to keep going." Susan has bravely taken steps towards regaining her vocal prowess and anticipates returning to actively pursue her passion for singing. Excitement abounds among her faithful supporters as Susan continues to tease the release of fresh music soon, reports the Mirror. Susan has shared a poignant post on Instagram, revealing her emotional return to the recording studio after a six-year hiatus. "Today was wonderful, emotional and everything in between. I made my return to the recording studio for the first time in six years, something I was told I might never achieve again," the caption read. Susan Boyle's iconic BGT audition was 16 years ago (Image: undefined via Getty Images ) "But here we are, in my happy place! I want to thank my manager, Geraldine, for being my absolute rock through everything and for helping me get back to where I belong. A million thanks." The post has garnered thousands of likes, with fans flocking to the comments section to express their delight at her musical comeback and improved health. One fan wrote: "So happy for you Susan. Your voice is amazing. You are magical when you sing. Thank you for bringing your voice back into the world." Other fans echoed the sentiment, with one saying: "We are very happy for your return. We have been waiting for years for your return." Another fan joked: "About time! My withdrawals were getting too much! Can't wait!" while a fourth said: "Happy day indeed, for all of us who love and find comfort in your voice." Susan suffered a stroke back in 2022 (Image:) Susan's remarkable journey began over 15 years ago when she captivated audiences with her angelic voice on Britain's Got Talent, turning her audition into a viral sensation and sparking international acclaim. Despite being widely tipped to clinch the top spot on the talent show and perform for royalty, she ended up as the runner-up, losing to dance crew Diversity in the finale. Regardless of her extraordinary success, Susan has always remained down-to-earth. Her journey is one of the most triumphant tales to come out of the show, and fans are eagerly anticipating her musical comeback. Article continues below Since her ascent to stardom, it's estimated that Susan's career has earned her an impressive £22 million. She has released several albums over the years, all contributing to her immense success. Her discography to date includes: I Dreamed a Dream (2009), The Gift (2010), Someone to Watch Over Me (2011), Standing Ovation: The Greatest Songs from the Stage (2012), Home for Christmas (2013), Hope (2014), A Wonderful World (2016) and her latest – Ten (2019). Britain's Got Talent is available to stream on ITVX
Edinburgh Live
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Remember Monday's huge TV appearance fans forgot about uncovered on Eurovision night
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Excitement and anticipation swept the nation in March when the UK's Eurovision 2025 entry was unveiled. The chosen act, country-pop trio Remember Monday, are gearing up to dazzle the audience in Basel, Switzerland, with their catchy tune 'What The Hell Just Happened?'. The close-knit friends, Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull, and Charlotte Steele, met at Farnborough College in Hampshire and formed their girl group in 2013. Their bond extends beyond music - Lauren and Charlotte were even part of Holly-Anne's bridal party at her 2023 wedding. Each of the three has an impressive background in musical theatre, with credits including Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, Matilda, and SIX The Musical. Now, they're set to take the Eurovision stage by storm as the first girl group to represent the UK since 1999. Competing against 36 other nations, Remember Monday describe themselves as "pop girlies with a little bit of yeehaw". The trio promised: "We're going to be the first girlband to represent the UK since 1999, which feels like such a crazy honour. "We're going to bring loads of fun, energy and hopefully do something that you won't have seen before on the Eurovision stage." This dynamic girl group is ready to shine and make the UK proud with their unique blend of country-pop charm and high-energy performance, reports Surrey Live. It might come as a surprise, but these women have previously competed in a major televised singing contest and even reached the quarter finals of the show. Remember Monday appeared on the eighth series of The Voice UK, advancing to week two of The Knockouts in the music reality competition. Their rendition of Seal's Kiss From A Rose during the blind auditions resulted in a four-chair turn and quickly went viral, establishing the country-pop trio as formidable contenders from the start. In The Knockouts, the group performed their original song, Jailbreaker, leaving the audience amazed by their talent and uniqueness. Though Molly Hocking ultimately claimed the title of The Voice UK winner in 2019, Remember Monday certainly made an impression on both the judges and viewers. The public's opinion of the girl group was overwhelmingly positive, peaking during their stint on the show, with one X (formerly Twitter) user posting: "I would love to see #remembermonday win @BBCTheVoiceUK #TheVoiceUK they are refreshing and fantastic ! "Gotta love a lil Country music!" One social media user expressed their enthusiasm: "Remember Monday performing their own song and smashing it, love the combination of original song and their talent, no expectations or preconceptions to overcome. "Love it. #TheVoiceUK," while another praised the musical trio, commenting: "Remember Monday singing their own song, not hiding behind someone else's success but blazing their own trail. Brilliant #TheVoiceUK". After belting out their own tune Jailbreak, numerous fans of the programme voiced their admiration online, with one individual writing on X: "@remembermonday_ when can I download Jailbreaker? ! Absolutely smashed it - loved this song so much and I wish people made more music like this #TheVoiceUK". Another fan penned: "An original song, and a blinding one at that. Cheers for sharing it with us, Remember Monday. #TheVoiceUK". Remember Monday is set to embark on their most extensive tour yet, performing in 16 cities throughout England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Eurovision 2025 will uplift audiences from May 13 to 17; with May 13 pencilled in for the first semi-final, May 15 for the second, and the grand finale scheduled for May 17. The cherished event will unfold at Basel's St. Jakobshalle in Switzerland, boasting a capacity for an audience of 12,400. For those eager to see Remember Monday's Eurovision showcase – the entire contest will be televised live on BBC One and accessible through the convenience of BBC iPlayer streaming.
Edinburgh Live
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Matt Lucas ignites health fears after he leaves stage during live performance
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Matt Lucas has raised health concerns among fans after apologising for his performance in Les Misérables on May 15. The actor, comedian, writer, and TV host, known for his work with David Walliams on 'Little Britain' and as a host on Great British Bake Off, is currently starring as Monsieur Thénardier in the Australian production of Les Misérables. However, he was forced to exit the stage mid-performance, prompting him to explain the situation to his fans on Instagram. Posting on his @realmattlucas page, Matt shared a carefully worded message alongside a photo. He expressed his enjoyment of the show, stating: "I've been having a magical time in Les Misérables in arenas across Sydney and Melbourne." However, he revealed that he had to bow out of the performance due to vocal issues, saying: "In over 30 years, I've never had to bow out of a performance, but tonight, as I was singing Master Of The House, I could feel my voice deserting me." Matt explained that fellow actor Connor James took over the role of Thénardier in the second act, explaining that's why his character looked so different in the second half of the performance. He is currently resting in bed, hoping to return to the stage soon. Although he didn't specify the exact nature of his health issue, it clearly affected his voice and performance, prompting a flood of get-well messages from concerned fans in the comments. Someone penned: "Aww, take care of yourself, Matt. Rest yourself and come back strong again!" Another voiced their concern: "Oh no! We are only human. Take care of your voice." A third sympathiser remarked: "Matt, that's rotten for you. Make sure you take care and rest." Meanwhile, a fourth well-wisher expressed: "Wish you better. Take it easy." Who is Matt playing in Les Misérables? The devious Thénardier features as a central villain in Les Misérables, serving as a dishonest innkeeper who thrives on the suffering of others, including his partner in crime, Madame Thénardier. Initially, they exploit the despairing mother Fantine by deceitfully agreeing to look after her daughter, Cosette, in return for money. Yet, behind closed doors, they enforce a life of enslavement and maltreatment upon Cosette, all the while bleeding Fantine dry through their fabricated hardships. Personified with a blend of conniving wit and opportunistic thievery, Thénardier pursues wealth by any disreputable means necessary, even if those paths lead to burglary or extortion. His journey across the narrative sees an escalation in criminal enterprises, capturing Thénardier's essence as both humorous and heinous. Thénardier incarnates the depths of human vices – greed and self-interest – forming a sharp divergence from the prevailing notions of kindness, sacrifice, and atonement that permeate the tale.
Irish Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Eurovision 2025 UK entry Remember Monday make announcement before song contest
Remember Monday, the pop-country trio made up of best mates Charlotte, Holly and Lauren, are set to fly the flag for the UK in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest on May 17. The girls are no strangers to the stage, with all three boasting a rich background in musical theatre and West End performances. Their impressive CVs include roles in productions such as Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera (Holly), Mary Poppins' (Charlotte), and Matilda (Lauren), who also starred in SIX The Musical. Since it was revealed that they'd be representing the UK this year, the girls have been going from strength-to-strength and have now shared some exciting news with their devoted fans. They've confirmed that regardless of the result next weekend, they'll be embarking on their biggest tour yet which will see them perform in a whopping 16 different cities across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, reports the Express. Remember Monday have made a huge announcement (Image: (Image: BBC)) Graham Norton to host one-off Eurovision reunion special BBC confirms In addition to the massive tour announcement, the rising pop trio will be taking to the stage at Wembley Stadium later this summer, as part of Capital FM's Summertime Ball. The talented trio will be wowing fans with their incredible vocals at a number of iconic venues across the UK, including a headline gig at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire. Remember Monday will be sitting down with Graham Norton (Image: (Image: ITV)) Fans eager to join in on the fun will have the opportunity to grab some tickets early through exclusive pre-sales Here, with sales kicking off on Friday May 9. It's been a non-stop year for the girls, with a jam-packed schedule of European tour dates to showcase their Eurovision 2025 hit What The Hell Just Happened? Remember Monday have had a whirlwind year (Image: (Image: ITV)) Remember Monday gushed about their whirlwind experience: "Were going on tour! We cannot wait to be hitting the road again, almost a year to the day that we started our very first sold out headline UK tour. "Last year's tour was the most fun we'd ever had, playing to new crowds in different cities and meeting everyone, so it feels so crazy to us that this time, we're getting to play in even more cities, and even bigger, bucket list venues. We're planning on bringing you all such a special show. See you in October!" In addition, fans are in for a treat this Friday as they'll get a sneak peek at Remember Monday when they join Graham Norton for a one-off show, setting the stage for the grand finale next week. The programme, Eurovision 2025: When Graham Met Remember Monday, is set to air on Friday 9th May at 10.40pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Meanwhile, the grand finale of Eurovision 2025 will be held on Saturday 17th May.
