When English tenor Alfie Boe comes online via Zoom, he’s in Shanghai starring as Jean Valjean in Cameron Mackintosh’s arena staging of Les Misérables – a run that follows last year’s 40th anniversary tour of Australia.

Alfie Boe. Photo © Ray Burmiston

First appearing in the role during the musical’s 25th anniversary concert at London’s O2 Arena in 2010, he has since reprised his performance in the West End, on Broadway and during the current world tour, becoming synonymous with Victor Hugo’s convict who finds redemption through altruism.

During those 16 years, Boe developed something of a symbiotic relationship with the character.

“When I started performing the role, I was at a different stage in my life,” he says. “And every time I’ve reconnected with the character, my life has moved on.”

Rewatching early footage alongside more recent performances brought that evolution into sharp relief.

“I’ve sort of grown into the role,” he reflects. “It really is a strange feeling to be a part of a fictional character’s life when you’re going through things personally as well. It can affect the way that you perform it, and the emotions behind it.”

That...