Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Boublil & Schönberg’s Les Misérables makes a welcome return to Birmingham Hippodrome this month. Making her Hippodrome debut as part of the show’s ensemble is Kings Heath actor Emily Owens. What’s On recently caught up with her to talk about the experience of appearing in one of musical theatre’s most iconic shows... 

How does it feel to be performing in your home city this month, Emily? Have you performed at the Hippodrome before? 
No, but I’ve performed at other venues around Birmingham. I was part of the Young REP as a teenager so have performed lots at the Rep and also at The Alexandra and Symphony Hall, but I’m really excited to tick another venue off the list! Birmingham was the place I was most excited to perform in when the tour list came out. When it was cancelled because of Covid, I was really upset, so I’m glad the company and the theatre were able to reschedule! It’s going to be a really special three weeks for me, as the Hippodrome is where I first saw Les Misérables when I was a child and is possibly where my love for musical theatre stems from. I would always see the touring shows there. Performing at the Hippodrome is going to be particularly special for me because all my family will be coming! 

What role do you play in Les Mis? 
I’m in the ensemble so get to play lots of roles throughout the show, from an old woman to a factory worker - and the only female who dies on the barricade. I also understudy the role of Madame Thenardier. 

How would you describe Les Misérables to someone who hasn’t seen it? 
It’s a story about compassion, hope and standing up for what you believe in, all set to beautiful music written by Claude Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil. There are themes of community and redemption, moments that will tug at your heartstrings and moments of lightness and comedy. 

What's your favourite part of the show? 
Oh, it’s definitely the barricade! It’s the longest scene, with so much to do, and most of the cast is involved. The scale of it is incredible, and the effects used during the battles are really spectacular. 

Why do you think Les Misérables is still so popular today?
The show carries such a universal message that anyone can come to see it and find characters that they can relate to. Everyone is fighting a fight against an injustice, be it big or small, and the message that “even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise” fills audiences with hope and solidarity every night. 

Les Miserables runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 9 to Saturday 27 August.