YOUNG performers from Redbridge have been invited by Cameron Mackintosh to perform alongside West End stars of the legendary musical Les Miserables in a special 25th anniversary show at the O2 on Sunday.

YOUNG performers from Redbridge have been invited by Cameron Mackintosh to perform alongside West End stars of the legendary musical Les Miserables in a special 25th Anniversary show at the O2 on Sunday.

The invitation marks another high spot in the year for 30 excited members of Ilford Operatic & Dramatic Society Youth, who earlier this year won the Redbridge Arts Council Audrey Toms Award.

Les Miserables celebrates its birthday by making theatrical history with an international first – three different productions in London at the same time, the Queen’s Theatre, the Barbican and the O2.

The latter will feature more than 300 actors and musicians, including Alfie Boe as our hero, Jean Valjean, Nick Jonas as Marius, Norm Lewis as Javert, Matt Lucas as Th�nardier, Lea Salonga as Fantine, Jenny Galloway as Madame Th�nardier, Camilla Kerslake as Cosette.

IODS youth members spent Sunday afternoon at the 02 rehearsing in readiness for their entrance alongside so many legends of the musical theatre world.

They will be supported in the audience by friends and family, as well as by members of the Crotchets and Quavers branch of the Parkinsons UK charity, which was founded two years ago following dedicated fundraising by IODS Youth. Regular West End lead Nic Greenshields, a former member of IODS Youth, who was in the show at the Palace Theatre, will also be in the anniversary performance.

IODS chairman Jeremy Smith, who directed two award-winning productions of Les Miserables Schools Edition in 2005 and 2009, said, “It is a real honour to have been chosen to perform. Our youth members never fail to make us proud and we are delighted at this opportunity that has arisen for them.”