Young Ayrshire star Niamh Lee Cast in Glasgow’s Landmark Les Misérables Production

Ayrshire’s 10-year-old rising star, Niamh Lee, has done it again! Fresh from her acclaimed role as Annie in the hit production at The King’s Theatre, Glasgow in January, Niamh has been successfully cast as Little Cosette in the huge upcoming Les Misérables production in April 2025.

This special staging is part of the nationwide Let The People Sing project, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical. Organised by Cameron Mackintosh and Music Theatre International (MTI), the project brings 11 non-replica, original amateur productions of Les Misérables to cities across the UK, including Glasgow, in what promises to be an extraordinary yearlong celebration of the world’s longest-running musical.

A Rising Star Continues to Shine

Niamh’s journey to becoming Little Cosette has been nothing short of remarkable. She received the exciting news shortly after finishing her extraordinary run as the lead character in Annie, also staged at The King’s Theatre. Niamh’s portrayal of Annie garnered widespread five-star reviews, with critics and audiences alike praising her ability to bring the enigmatic orphan to life through her emotive acting, soaring vocals, and magnetic stage presence.

Her performance captivated audiences over the course of the Annie run and earned her standing ovations at every show. Supported by her local community and theatre mentors from Pantheon, Niamh’s portrayal of Annie solidified her reputation as a standout young talent, with many hailing her as a future star of stage and screen.

“I’m excited to be playing Little Cosette,” Niamh shared. “The songs in Les Mis are beautiful and I can’t wait to sing Castle on a Cloud.” Being part of this production, especially in its 40th-anniversary year, is a dream come true for the youngster.

“Playing Annie was the best experience ever and I was so happy to get the news about Les Mis the week after Annie ended. I made such great friends during Annie and I’m excited to get to see some of them again during Les Misérables”.

The Legacy of Les Misérables

Based on Victor Hugo’s timeless novel, Les Misérables is a powerful story of love, redemption, and revolution, set against the turmoil of post-revolutionary France. With unforgettable songs like I Dreamed a Dream, One Day More, and Do You Hear the People Sing, the musical has captivated audiences worldwide for four decades.

As part of the Let The People Sing project, Glasgow’s production will be a collaboration between The Lyric Club, Pantheon Theatre Glasgow, Glasgow Light Opera Club (GLOC), PMOS, and Theatre South Productions (TSP). These leading amateur societies will be guided by the West End and international associate creative teams to produce an original interpretation of the musical, ensuring that this milestone production lives up to the grandeur and emotion of the global phenomenon.

Cameron Mackintosh, the producer behind Les Misérables, expressed his excitement for the project, saying:

“The phenomenon of Les Misérables continues to break new ground, just as Victor Hugo’s novel has since it was first published in 1862. As we approach the extraordinary landmark of the 40th record-breaking year of the iconic musical’s London run, we are delighted to invite 11 of our leading amateur companies in the UK to stage the entire show in their own productions. The success of this much-loved musical was famously made by the public—not the early critics—so what better way to enjoy this unprecedented event than Let the People Sing!”

A Role Full of Heart

Little Cosette, the innocent and hopeful child who grows into a central figure in the story, is a role that demands both emotional depth and vocal strength. Niamh is thrilled to bring her own interpretation to this beloved character.

“I love little Cosette’s character,” Niamh said. “She has a hard time but never loses her kindness. I’m so grateful for the chance to play her.”

Under Valjean’s care, Cosette transforms from a mistreated servant to a strong, educated young woman who ultimately finds love and fulfilment with Marius. Her role is pivotal in the musical’s themes of hope and redemption, and Niamh is already preparing to bring her own unique touch to the part.

A Community-Wide Celebration

The Glasgow production of Les Misérables will be staged at The King’s Theatre in April 2025, marking the city’s contribution to a historic UK-wide celebration of the musical. This ambitious project unites amateur societies and professional creatives in a shared mission to honour the legacy of Les Misérables while showcasing the vibrancy of community theatre.

After extensive audition processes, The Lyric Club has assembled an outstanding adult principal cast, alongside a multi-talented adult ensemble and full show choir for this spectacular event.

For Niamh, who has grown up performing in local productions with Take A Bow in Kilmarnock and trained in dance at Janice Marshall Stage School in Irvine, the opportunity is another significant step in her blossoming career. She is excited to reunite with friends old and new from across the theatre world as she begins rehearsals for the big production.

Don’t Miss It!

Tickets for the Glasgow production of Les Misérables: Let The People Sing are on sale now via the ATG Tickets website. Join in celebrating 40 years of one of the most beloved musicals of all time and witness Niamh Lee’s performance as Little Cosette in this landmark event.

Performance Details:

Les Misérables (Let The People Sing)

Dates: 23rd to 27th April 2025

Venue: The King’s Theatre, Glasgow