Let The People Sing! Draws to a Close
In March 2025, Belfast Operatic Company had the incredible honour of opening the Let The People Sing! project – a UK-wide celebration marking the 40th anniversary of Les Misérables. This ambitious initiative by Music Theatre International (MTI) brought full-scale productions of Les Misérables to 11 cities across the UK, and we were proud to lead the way as the very first society to take to the stage.
Our production at Belfast’s iconic Grand Opera House not only opened the project but made history – becoming the fastest-selling amateur show in the venue’s history and playing to a complete run of sold-out performances. The response from audiences was overwhelming, with every seat filled for a week of unforgettable music, emotion, and community spirit.
The Let The People Sing! project ran from March to August 2025, uniting amateur theatre companies in Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham, Norwich, Porthcurno, and Swansea. Each city’s production was unique, with original staging and creative interpretation supported by the show’s West End and international creative teams.
Across the 11 productions, the impact was remarkable:
- 45 amateur societies collaborated nationwide
- 833 cast members, 147 musicians, and 479 backstage crew brought the story to life
- Over 95,000 audience members experienced Les Misérables in their local theatres
- Collectively, the productions generated more than £3.1 million at the box office
As the company that launched this landmark project, we’re immensely proud to have represented Belfast and Northern Ireland on a huge stage – showcasing the incredible talent, dedication, and passion of our local performing arts community.
The Let The People Sing! project has shone a spotlight on the strength and professionalism of amateur theatre across the UK. For us, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share Les Misérables with our audiences in a fresh, powerful way – and to see our city’s production stand proudly at the forefront of such a historic celebration.
Looking back, this project represents more than just a show. It was a moment of pride, collaboration, and connection – a celebration of what community theatre can achieve when creativity and ambition meet.
As Gary put it:
“From that first phone call to opening night, everyone worked together toward a shared goal. It felt like a privilege to be connected to the Les Misérables legacy.”
Our sincere thanks go to Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Music Theatre International, and everyone who made Let The People Sing! possible – and to the incredible audiences who filled every seat in the Grand Opera House to support us.
We were honoured to be first, proud to be part of history, and thrilled to have made Belfast’s voice heard across the UK.
So once more, from all of us at Belfast Operatic Company,
Thank you for letting the people sing.
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