London bound to hear the people sing

The success of the Oscar-winning film version of Les Miserables has sent West Country musical lovers rushing back to see the stage show live in London – and the surge of interest has caught out coach operators Bakers Dolphin.

The show, which has been running for 25 years, has always been popular but it has gone straight to the top of the bookings charts again among people in the South West booking coach trips to London.

Amanda Harrington, Marketing Director at Bakers Dolphin said: "I have to admit we didn't anticipate that the film would spark interest again in the show but we have had to buy tickets for eight more dates this year than we had planned and five of them have already sold out.

"People are telling us that the film portrayed the story very well and they now want to go back to see the stage musical because the singing is so exciting live and with their new knowledge of the plot makes it even more enjoyable.

"Logic told us that with a film released people might not want to see the show live but in fact there has been an upsurge of interest in the West Country with people wanting trips up to London to see the show."

Bakers Dolphin currently have tickets and transport to London from the South West for shows on June 19, July 3 and September 11 but at £65 including transport to London they are selling fast and they are trying to obtain more tickets from the Queen's Theatre for other dates to cope with demand.

The cast currently includes former Coronation Street star Vicky Entwistle, who played Janice Battersby in the soap for 14 years and is now a lively Madame Thenardier.

Among West Country show lovers Les Miserables is now the top seller once again with Matilda just behind it and War Horse third. Tickets are also selling well for Let It Be, featuring Beatles music on the 50th anniversary of the band and the revival of A Chorus Line, which has returned to the London Palladium.