WAAPA graduates dream a dream as Les Miserables returns to Perth Homing instinct: The cast of Les Miserables, the world's longest-running musical, is stacked with WA Academy of Performing Arts graduates who once called Perth home and are keen to renew the acquaintance when the show comes to Crown Theatre. Picture: Jason Edwards Source: News Limited ALMOST half of the Les Miserables cast once called Perth home - and the talented troupe say they are champing at the bit to return. An impressive 16 of the 33 musical theatre stars graduated from the WA Academy of Performing Arts, including five of the nine principal cast members. Leading man Simon Gleeson, who finished up at WAAPA in 1998, said he was hoping to visit the prestigious Mt Lawley campus when he returned with the show next month. "I'm looking forward to getting back and hopefully having a chat to some of the students - I think we all are," Gleeson said. Gleeson, who plays Jean Valjean, got his first taste of the show along with his now-wife, Natalie O'Donnell, when the pair were still students at the school. The NSW-born, Melbourne-based actor said the newer WAAPA alumni brought vibrancy to the new Cameron Mackintosh production of the world's longest-running musical. Ensemble cast member Ben Hall, who left WAAPA in 2012, said there were four students from his graduating year on stage with him every night in Melbourne, where the show opened in July. The 22-year-old Sydney-based Perth performer said he was looking forward to staying with his parents, Angela and Stuart, catching up with mates and hitting Cottesloe Beach for a dip when he got home. "I love Perth and I get very nostalgic going back," he said. Fellow ensemble member Zoe Jarrett left Sydney at the age of 17 to study at WAAPA and is looking forward to celebrating the 10th anniversary of her graduation. Les Miserables runs at Crown Theatre from New Year's Eve until February 15.