A little while ago, I wrote about books that have made the successful jump from page to stage. While I only selected a few for the original article, I later realized there are so many novels that have been turned into massively successful shows. Here are a few more.
If there was EVER a show that has been a hit, both novel and musical wise, it is Les Miserables. Based on the novel of the same name, authored by Victor Hugo, the novel follows several characters (including Cosette, Marius, and Jean Val Jean) over the course of several years, starting in 1815, and culminating during the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris. The novel varies quite a bit from the show. For example, Jean Val Jean is the central character of the show, unlike in the book. Originally, the novel was critically panned. In 1983, producer Cameron Mackintosh received a copy of a musical French concept album named Les Miserables. Cameron was initially hesitant, but decided to take a chance. The show spent two years in development, and opened in October 1985. The show was, much like its source material, initially panned, but has since then become wildly popular. It is now the longest running show in London, has had a show, and numerous revivals, on Broadway, spawned numerous tours (in various different countries and languages) and more. The show was so successful, that in 2012, Les Miserables was turned into a film of the same name. It starred Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfriend and Eddie Redmayne. Anne won an Oscar for her performance as Fantine. The film won several other Oscars as well.
We are all familiar with Roald Dahl’s novel of a bright little girl named Matilda. The story revolves around Matilda, a brilliant, precocious little girl, who happens to have magical powers. Matilda must deal with a horrible family life, which includes neglectful, bullying and basically completely unsuitable parents, as well as a horrible headmistress at school. Matilda, using her brilliant mind, overcomes these with a little bit of wit, charm, and her powers. Typical to Roald Dahl form, the book is bright, imaginary and fun. Matilda has a bit of a crummy life, but rises to the occasion and gives the nasty adults the best come uppance that the reader could hope for! The book was originally published in 1988. Eight years later, Danny Devito directed the hit film of the same name.
Originally showing during a 12 week trial run at Stratford-Upon-Avon, it premiered in the West End on November 24th, 2011 at the Cambridge Theatre. The show has been highly praised, and the show had its Broadway premiere on April 11th, 2013. The show has been highly praised for, while still having new elements, being faithful towards the original novel, keeping everything from some of Matilda’s tricks on her father and Miss Trunchbull throwing a student by her pigtails, to Matilda running Miss Trunchbull out of the school. The London show set a record for being the first musical to win the most Olivier Awards ever. In 2013, the Broadway show won five Tony Awards.