THE 'creator' of Les Misérables who transformed the novel into a hit musical is to become the next visiting professor at Oxford University.

Composer, songwriter, actor and singer Claude-Michel Schönberg has been a key figure in musical theatre culture for the past 30 years.

He has been named as the next Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre, based at St Catherine’s College in Manor Road.

Professor Roger Ainsworth, the Master of St Catherine's College, said: "I am thrilled that Claude-Michel will be this year’s Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor.

"Claude-Michel’s eminent position and long-standing experience in contemporary musical theatre makes him an apt holder of this title, and it is wonderful that our students will have the opportunity to learn about this first-hand. It is an honour for St Catherine's to be welcoming him and I look forward to his inaugural lecture later this year."

Mr Schönberg's musical theatre composition was in 1973 with the French musical La Révolution Française, in which he also played King Louis XVI.

His subsequent musicals have included Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, The Pirate Queen and Marguerite.

The role will involve promoting interest in and the study of contemporary theatre, with his inaugural lecture at the college set to be held this Autumn.