Musicals will be staged in Chinese

British producer Cameron Mackintosh will help stage Chinese-language versions of classic Broadway musicals such as “Les Miserables,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Miss Saigon,” a publicist for the producer said.

The productions are part of an agreement with Chinese performing arts agency China Arts and Entertainment Group, which is affiliated with China’s Ministry of Culture, according to the statement issued this week.

The first production -- a Chinese version of “Les Miserables” -- will open at the National Grand Theater near Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in November 2008.

The statement said Mackintosh will also stage local versions of “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Miss Saigon,” “Mary Poppins,” “My Fair Lady” and “Cats.”