An actress from Leeds who made her name on the local stage is starring in latest international blockbuster Les Misérables.
Cathy Breeze, who also appeared in the London stage version of Les Misérables, won the part after the stage show cast was recommended by millionaire producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
Out today, the film which has already taken $200m worldwide after being released in December the US, stars Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, and Amanda Seyfried.
The film tells the story of Jean Valjean, a former prisoner who becomes mayor of a town in France. Valjean agrees to take care of Cosette, the illegitimate daughter of Fantine, and must avoid being captured again by Javert, a police inspector.
Actress Cathy, who has performed at venues including West Yorkshire Playhouse, plays a factory girl.
Sir Cameron has packed the movie of Les Misérables with cast members from the stage show, including Cathy. She spent four years in the cast in London’s West End.
She also played ‘Neil’s northern bird’ in the 2011 box office hit Inbetweeners movie and has appeared in Coronation Street.
Sir Cameron said using nearly 70 performers who already knew the blockbuster musical inside out proved crucial in delivering it to the big screen: “I always wanted to have as many people not just from my shows but from British musical theatre in the film. Ninety-five per cent of the people in the film come from musical theatre and is one of the reasons it has worked so well.”