Killian Donnelly has been announced to play Jean Valjean in the UK and Ireland tour of Les Misérables which comes to Manchester’s Palace Theatre in February 2019.

The tour will see Donnelly reprising the role which is he is currently playing in the West End production of Les Misérables until 9 June 2018.

Prior to his run in Les Misérables, he played the role of Charlie Price in Kinky Boots on Broadway, a role he originated at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End in 2015, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award.  His other theatre credits include Jackie Day in Donegal, a new play by Frank McGuinness, at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin and Huey in the original London cast of Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre for which he was also nominated for an Olivier Award.  He created the role of Deco in The Commitments at the Palace Theatre and has also played Tony in Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre as well as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre.

Speaking about Killian Donnelly joining the tour, producer Cameron Mackintosh commented, “When I announced the first UK tour of Les Miserables for ten years, I was really delighted that Killian said to me that he would like to continue playing Jean Valjean.  No stranger to the original production, having played both Enjolras and Valjean with enormous success, his passionate take on the role will be even greater in the thrilling staging of my new production which has proved to be a worldwide success all over again. He is the first Irishman to play the role since Colm Wilkinson in the original and I’m delighted that from advance bookings, this new tour looks set to be sold out before we open”.

Killian Donnelly first joined the company of Les Misérables in 2008, going onto play the role of Enjolras from 2009 to 2011.  In 2010, he played the role of Courfeyrac in the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables at The O2 Arena and also played the role of Combeferre in the multi-award-winning film of the show, released in 2012.

The Palace Theatre Manchester will host a production of Les Miserables - image courtesy Michael Le Poer Trench Copyright CML

The Palace Theatre Manchester will host a production of Les Miserables – image courtesy Michael Le Poer Trench Copyright CMLBased on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Boublil and Schönberg’s score of Les Misérables includes the songs I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more.  Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 45 countries and in 22 languages, Les Misérables is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.

When is Les Misérables performed in at the Palace Theatre Manchester?

Les Misérables will be performed at Manchester’s Palace Theatre from 19 February to 30 March 2019 as part of a major UK and Ireland tour.

When do tickets for Les Misérables at the Palace Theatre Manchester go on sale?

Tickets for Les Misérables at the Palace Theatre Manchester go on sale on 5 June 2018.

Image of Killian Donnelly as Jean Valjean courtesy Matt Crockett