The world's most popular musical began a triumphant run in Bradford last night, and heralded a new theatrical era for the city.

As the curtain rose on Les Misrables, its producers revealed plans to bring two more smash hits to the Alhambra.

Phantom of the Opera and the West End revival of Oliver! have been secured for Bradford after extensive negotiations. Their arrival, probably next year, represents a major coup for the city.

"We intend to bring both those shows here," said Colin Ingram, production administrator for Cameron Mackintosh Productions and the man in charge of staging Les Misrables in Bradford.

No dates have yet been announced, but both shows are expected to enjoy extended runs at the Alhambra.

Meanwhile, with the best tickets for Les Misrables already nearly sold, the theatre yesterday announced the availability of nearly 6,000 extra seats over the next 12 weeks.

A spokesman said: "With the technical installation now complete, it has been possible to restore two rows at the front of the stalls. Everyone wants the best seats and we expect a clamour for these."

Last night's curtain up came at the end of three days of frenzied behind-the-scenes activity.

Mr Ingram said: "We closed the show in Southampton on Saturday. Then the set and costumes had to be brought to Bradford in 15 articulated lorries.

"This is the largest tour ever to go round the UK, and we looked to our colleagues in America to see how they did it. It's enormous. The logistics have to be precise.

"But the audience will get a complete, 100 per cent performance from day one. There'll have been nothing to tell them that it was a first night."

He added: "There are only about eight theatres in the whole of the country that can take a show like this.

"The Alhambra is fantastic. It has excellent facilities and a beautiful auditorium, and the staff have been absolutely wonderful, as have the Press. It's a real pleasure to work here and I'm sure the warmth of the audience will be brilliant as well.

"In terms of size, it's very similar to the Palace Theatre in London, for which the show was built."

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