Les Misérables in Abu Dhabi: Key cast members on what makes the show timeless

For the first time in its storied four-decade history, Les Misérables—one of the world’s most beloved musical—is coming to Abu Dhabi. From April 10 to 20, 2025, audiences at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, can experience the grandest version of the musical yet: Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular. With a staggering cast and orchestra of over 65, this is more than just a musical—it’s a full-scale theatrical event reimagined for massive stages and modern audiences.

Ahead of the premiere, City Times caught up with several key cast members: Killian Donnelly (Jean Valjean), Beatrice Penny-Touré (Cosette), Jac Yarrow (Marius), Luke Kempner (Thénardier), and Linzi Hateley (Madame Thénardier), who gave a powerful glimpse into why this version of Les Mis is unlike anything we've seen before.

'An intimate performance on a grand scale'

Irish actor Killian Donnelly, a Les Mis veteran now taking on the lead role of Jean Valjean, describes this arena adaptation as a beautiful contradiction: “It’s something that’s never been done before—an intimate performance on a grand scale.” While the orchestra has tripled in size from the West End production and the stage is designed to tower over thousands, Donnelly reveals that cameras allow the performers to deliver nuanced, close-up emotion to even the furthest rows. “You still can have a far more intimate performance,” he says.

Killian Donnelly

Now 40 years old—the same age as the show itself—Donnelly reflects on having literally grown up with Les Misérables. “I started as one of the students on the barricade... now I’m Valjean. So I have aged with Les Mis.” That generational connection extends to the audiences, too. “Fifteen years ago I saw six-year-olds watching it. Now those kids are in their twenties and still coming back.”

For Donnelly, who is now also a father, the emotional resonance of the show has deepened. “There are definitely bits more of me I put into scenes with Cosette. A little hug, a hand-hold—those fatherly moments. They’re not choreographed; they’re just me.”

'A dream come true'

For Beatrice Penny-Touré (Cosette) and Jac Yarrow (Marius), this production marks their first time performing Les Misérables—and their first time in Abu Dhabi.

“It’s surreal,” Penny-Touré says. “To not only do the show but on this scale is like... wow. Especially in a place as grand as Abu Dhabi. This version of Les Mis is the grand version—it fits perfectly here.”

Cosette, played by Beatrice Penny-Touré

Marius (Jac Yarrow), right, and Éponine (Emily Bautista)

Yarrow, who previously had a short run with Les Mis in London, says the joy of performing the show globally lies in introducing it to new audiences. “In the UK, it’s so ingrained in the culture. But in places like Luxembourg, Italy, and now the UAE, many people come in not knowing the story—and they leave in love with it.”

Both actors agree that the show’s longevity is rooted in its universal themes. “It’s about human spirit,” Yarrow explains. “It’s about people from all walks of life coming together. That’s always going to be relevant.”

Penny-Touré adds, “And the music. It’s perfect. It speaks to your soul. I’ve loved it since I was a kid, and I love it even more now.”

'These stories grow with you'

Comic relief meets grit in the form of the Thénardiers, played by Luke Kempner and Linzi Hateley. Both are no strangers to Les Mis and both bring a unique emotional insight to their roles.

Kempner first joined the show in 2009 and is currently playing Thénardier. “You connect with the story in different ways as you get older,” he reflects. “Back then, I resonated with the young love—the passion. But now, as a father to a little girl, I connect more with Fantine’s story and her relationship with Cosette. And I know, as I continue to age, it’ll evolve again. That’s what makes it timeless.”

Hateley has a unique bond with the show that spans nearly its entire history. “I first played Eponine 36 or 37 years ago—I was the third Eponine in London,” she says. “Now I’m playing Eponine’s mother. That kind of legacy—it’s rare. It’s personal.”

For her, the show’s staying power lies in its relatability. “They’re all human stories, as much as it’s a tale from many years ago. Life is hard. There are always challenges, but Les Mis is about solidarity—about people coming together and trying to get the best out of a difficult situation. That’s universal.”

With the show celebrating its 40th anniversary, does that legacy come with added pressure?

“I think as actors we always bring a certain pressure—we want to do our best,” says Hateley. “But with this version, there’s also a sense of celebration. It’s a privilege to be part of something so iconic, and to help carry it into the next chapter.”

Kempner adds, “I still remember my mum explaining the story of Valjean to me as a kid. He steals from the bishop, but instead of being punished, he’s given a second chance. That idea of redemption—it’s what drives the whole show. And that’s a message that never stops being powerful.”

Behind the barricades

Despite the heavy emotional content of Les Misérables, the cast says the backstage energy is surprisingly light. “You have to keep it fun behind the scenes,” says Yarrow. “What happens on stage is so intense, so backstage we balance that out.”

And while the cast is large, it’s also deeply experienced. “Everyone has done Les Mis somewhere in the world,” he says. “So we can relax and trust the show—it’s going to hold up.”

Penny-Touré’s personal journey with Donnelly adds another layer of magic. Years ago, she played Christine Daaé opposite Donnelly’s Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. “He was so kind to me back then,” she recalls. “Now to share the stage as father and daughter, as leads in Les Mis, it’s honestly a dream.”

A legacy renewed

Marking its 40th anniversary in 2025, Les Misérables continues to evolve while honouring its legacy. “There’s a responsibility, for sure,” Yarrow admits. “But producer Cameron Mackintosh encourages us to bring our own essence to the show. I think that’s part of why it’s lasted so long—it evolves with the people performing it.”

For first-timers and lifelong fans alike, Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the thundering orchestra to the raw emotion of iconic songs, this show is set to move hearts and stir souls in the UAE like never before.

As Donnelly puts it, “You’re a custodian of these songs. You stand there, perform someone else’s lyrics and music, and 7,000 people give you a standing ovation. That’s the gift of this show. That’s Les Mis.”