West End icon John Owen-Jones – the voice behind iconic Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera roles – is making waves this year with his first-ever concert tour across the Chinese mainland. In an exclusive chat with NewspaperAmigo, he reveals why 2026 feels like "a full-circle moment."
From Phantom to China: A Journey Through Time
"Audiences here surprise me every night," says Jones, describing packed theaters in Shanghai and Beijing. When asked about bringing Western musicals to new markets, he grins: "Theater’s like emojis – universal language, right? 😉"
2026: Bridging Cultures Through Music
This year’s tour includes Mandarin adaptations of classic numbers. Jones shares a backstage secret: "I’ve been practicing ‘Bring Him Home’ in Chinese – harder than hitting that high C!" His social media clips of language coaching sessions with local artists have gone viral among Gen-Z theater fans.
Legacy & TikTok Wisdom
To aspiring performers in Asia’s booming theater scene, Jones advises: "Your phone’s not just for selfies – film your rehearsals! I wish I had TikTok when I played Marius at 23." Catch his final 2026 tour dates before he returns to London’s West End this spring.
