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Michael Ball looks back at 40 years of Les Miserables, from uncertain beginnings at the Barbican back in 1985, to a worldwide tour 4 decades later in 2025, Michael and Les Mis have grown together.

Despite a rocky start with bashings from the critics, Les Mis became a huge success. Adored by the public, the power of word of mouth from fans saw it extend its initial run from Barbican to the West End, and then to Broadway...and the world.

Michael recalls how none of them in that original cast could ever have imagined the success of this show and how it opened doors to future opportunities...but, privately, his success masked anxiety, depression and imposter syndrome.

Michael returned to the show as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations, now winning his private battles and ready to embrace the joy of the show's success, and has since appeared in various productions which have taken him all over the world

Michael dreamed that dream. The people let him sing. Not for just one day more…but for 4 decades. Les Mis was the musical that he credits for changing his life in ways he could never have imagined.

This is Michael's story, in his own words, celebrating arguably the most successful musical of all-time, packed with incredible insights, archive audio and cast recordings of iconic Les Mis songs from throughout the years.

A Mostest production for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 2.