The Thénardiers feign concern for Cosette, claiming that they love her like a daughter and that she is in fragile health, and bargain with Valjean, who pays them 1,500 francs in the end. The Thénardiers crash the reception disguised as nobility and attempt to blackmail Marius, telling him that Valjean is a murderer and that Thénardier saw him carrying a corpse in the sewers after the barricades fell. Subsequently, numerous tours and international and regional productions have been staged, as well as concert and broadcast productions. Øystein Wiik went on to also star as Jean Valjean in the productions in Vienna and London in 1989–1990. [46][47][48][49] Co-directed by Lawrence Connor and James Powell,[50] Laurence Olivier Award nominee Ramin Karimloo starred as Jean Valjean; Colm Wilkinson, who originated the role, portrayed the Bishop of Digne in a one-day performance symbolic handing of the torch to Karimloo. Ann Harada replaced Jenny Galloway as Mme. Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, 'Les Miserables' travels with prisoner-on-parole, 24601, Jean Valjean, as he runs from the ruthless Inspector Javert on a journey beyond the barricades, at the center of the June Rebellion. In return, Sarich would join the London cast in Owen-Jones' place. The first full West End / Broadway production in Europe (mainland) was set up in Oslo, Norway at Det Norske Teatret and opened on 17 March 1988. "Dog Eats Dog" by Thénardier is heavily truncated. Manenti stars alongside Damien Bonnard, Djebril Zonga, Issa Percia, Al-Hassan Ly, Steve Tientcheu, Almany Kanoute and Nizar Ben Fatma. An optimist who stands as a sort of ambassador for the "outside", while the rest of the men stand for France. The show underwent further tightening, namely with improved sewer lighting and the incorporation of the Javert suicide scene effect. Marius discovers that Éponine has disguised herself as a boy to join the rebels and, wanting to keep his best friend away from the impending violence, he sends her to deliver a farewell letter to Cosette. Thénardier, Lea Salonga as Éponine, Adam Searles as Gavroche, Hannah Chick as Young Cosette, Michael Ball as Marius, Michael Maguire as Enjolras, Judy Kuhn as Cosette and Anthony Crivello as Grantaire. 25 Facts About Les Mis", "Wicked Surpasses Les Miserables as Fifth Longest-Running Show in Broadway History", "Walnut Street Theatre – Les Misérables: Creation of the Musical", "Dans l'attente des Misérables du Châtelet, souvenons nous de la création en 1980", "Les Misérables - The first one in PARIS (1980) - MES: Robert HOSSEIN - (ABC_Arc: RLBaron)", "Waifs and urchins around the world: Paris", "Les Misérables Show Listing and Production details", "Les Mis at 30: original London cast reunite to celebrate", "House of Commons – Culture, Media and Sport – Minutes of Evidence", "Les Misérables to move to Gielgud Theatre in July 2019", "Les Misérables to move to Gielgud Theatre in July 2019 - WhatsOnStage", "Les Misérables cast and creative team celebrate Sondheim Theatre West End production opening | WhatsOnStage", "Exciting new cast announced for Sondheim", "Les Misérables, Mary Poppins, Hamilton and The Phantom of the Opera won't reopen in the West End before 2021 | WhatsOnStage", http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/brand-new-les-misérables-coming-to-toronto-stage-1.1385592, Brand new Les Misérables coming to Toronto stage, LES MISERABLES, ONCE, ALADDIN & More Set for Mirvish's 50th Season, Toronto's New Les Misérables, Starring Ramin Karimloo, Will Begin in September; Complete Casting Announced. He is an elderly man who has fallen upon hard times. Also called "The Locket Crone", this character is the woman who talks Fantine into selling her precious locket for much less than it is worth. [1] However, the production closed after three months due to the expiry of the booking contract. Directed by Ladj Ly. [126], Although numerous films of the Les Misérables story have been made, no film adaptation of the stage musical was produced for many years. Hot Animation. Cosette dreams of a life with a mother where she is not forced to work and is treated lovingly ("Castle on a Cloud"). Valjean, still under the name Madeleine, confesses his true identity at the trial in order to save the man. When the New York production closed in 2003, the Third National Tour continued for another three years, and enjoyed the influx of many members from the original and subsequent New York companies. Grantaire gets angry and asks the students if they fear to die. On the eve of the 1832 Paris Uprising, Valjean prepares to go into exile; Cosette and Marius part in despair; Enjolras encourages all of Paris to join the revolution; the other students prepare for battle; Éponine acknowledges despairingly that Marius will never love her; Marius is conflicted whether to follow Cosette or join the uprising; Javert reveals his plans to spy on the students; and the Thénardiers scheme to profit off the coming violence. Goldblatt (Montparnasse/Pimp/Labourer), Marya Grandy(Crone), Victor Hawks (Brujon), Robert Hunt (Courfeyrac/Foreman), Nehal Joshi (Lesgles/Constable), Jeff Kready (Babet/Constable/Fauchevelant), Doug Kreeger (Jean Prouvaire/Farmer), James Chip Leanord (Bishop/Claquesous), Megan McGinnis, Drew Sarich (Grantaire/Innkeeper), Haviland Stillwell (Factory Girl), and Idara Victor.[43]. The show was a success, with 100 performances seen by over 500,000 people. Valjean decides to break his parole and start his life anew after a bishop inspires him by a tremendous act of mercy, but he is being tracked down by a police inspector named Javert. Valjean, a former criminal, has atoned for his past and now finds himself in the midst of the French Revolution, avoiding a law-obsessed policeman hell-bent on capturing him. [35] It was scheduled to close on 15 March 2003, but the closing was postponed by a surge in public interest. Filming & Production After being released from imprisonment for serving nineteen years (five for stealing a loaf of bread and fourteen for multiple escape attempts), he breaks parole and, after receiving mercy from Bishop Myriel, turns his life around to live for God, showing the effects of God's grace that bring a corrupt man into virtuous and selfless living. As he wonders who saved his own life, Cosette comforts him, and they reaffirm their blossoming romance. She was replaced by Genevieve Leclerc. Mark McVey's daughter, Kylie McVey was the understudy for Young Cosette and Young Éponine. [73] The tour then continued as detailed in the table below: A tour to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the show began performances on 12 December 2009, at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. Katy Secombe also starred as Madame Thénardier and John Owen-Jones played Jean Valjean for some performances during the run. For other uses, see, Musical, based on Victor Hugo's novel of the same name, Laurence Olivier Award for Most Popular Show, Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert, Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical, Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical, "Twenty-five years on, they ask me if I was wrong about Les Misérables ...", "Theater Review: "Les Misérables" At The Ahmanson", "Top 10 Longest-Running London Theatre Shows", "Bon Anniversaire! [146], The album, produced by David Caddick and conducted by Martin Koch, won the Best Musical Cast Show Album Grammy Award in 1990. Soon afterwards, Valjean rescues a man, Fauchelevent, who is pinned by a runaway cart ("The Runaway Cart"). The reviewer for the Financial Times wrote that Les Misérables is "the book's hilarious main cultural compass-point".[42]. Dora Awards 2014: A List Of All The Winners! Suggestions Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. He later adopts Cosette, the only daughter of Fantine. The tour then leaves the UK to play a special engagement in Zürich, Switzerland (21 January to 23 February 2020) before visiting Norwich Theatre Royal (4 March to 4 April 2020), Bristol Hippodrome (7 April to 9 May 2020), The Lowry, Salford (12 to 30 May 2020), Glasgow Theatre Royal (3 to 27 June 2020), Birmingham Hippodrome (30 June to 18 July 2020), Leeds Grand Theatre (23 July to 15 August 2020), Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin (25 August to 13 September 2020), Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (25 September to 24 October 2020) and finally Hull New Theatre (28 October to 21 November 2020). Javert makes a vow to the stars – which represent his belief in a just and ordered universe where suffering is a punishment for sin – that he will find Valjean and recapture him ("Stars"). The cast featured Killian Donnelly (Jean Valjean), Nic Greenshields (Javert), Katie Hall (Fantine), Tegan Bannister (Éponine), Bronwen Hanson (Cosette), Harry Apps (Marius), Martin Ball (Thénardier), Sophie-Louise Dann (Madame Thénardier) and Will Richardson (Enjolras). The tour cast featured John Owen-Jones as Valjean, Earl Carpenter as Javert, Gareth Gates as Marius, Ashley Artus as Thénardier, Lynne Wilmot as Madame Thénardier, Madalena Alberto as Fantine, Rosalind James as Éponine, Jon Robyns as Enjolras, Katie Hall as Cosette (with Samara Clarke as Young Cosette), and David Lawrence as the Bishop of Digne. Valjean promises to find Cosette and protect her ("Come to Me (Fantine's Death)"). Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells the story of ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Russell Crowe), after he breaks parole. Among those mingling in the streets are the student revolutionaries Marius Pontmercy and Enjolras, who contemplate the effect Lamarque's death will have on the poor and desperate in Paris; the Thénardiers, who have since lost their inn and now run a street gang which consists of thugs Brujon, Babet, Claquesous, and Montparnasse; the Thénardiers’ daughter Éponine, who is now grown and has fallen in love with Marius (who is oblivious to her affections); and the streetwise young urchin Gavroche, who knows everything that happens in the slums ("Look Down"). As dawn approaches, Enjolras realises that the people of Paris have not risen up with them, but resolves to fight on in spite of the impossible odds ("Dawn of Anguish"). [53] Other cast members included Genevieve Leclerc as Fantine, Samantha Hill as Cosette, Melissa O'Neil as Éponine, Perry Sherman as Marius, Cliff Saunders as Monsieur Thénardier, Lisa Horner as Madame Thénardier, and Mark Uhre as Enjolras. It included several changes to the songs that are still evident in today's performances. (See Members listed below). Their resolve is fired even further when the army kills Gavroche, who snuck out to collect ammunition from bodies on the other side of the barricade ("The Second Attack (Death of Gavroche)"). Les Misérables (/ l eɪ ˌ m ɪ z ə ˈ r ɑː b (l ə)/; French pronunciation: [le mizeʁabl(ə)]), colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz (/ l eɪ ˈ m ɪ z /), is a sung-through musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same name, by Claude-Michel Schönberg (music), Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel (original French lyrics), and Herbert Kretzmer (English lyrics). Check the latest film times for Les Misérables: The Staged Concert now showing at your nearest Showcase. His acts of kindness move Valjean to surrender his ways to God, escaping the label of "criminal" and living in a new identity. Former London Valjean Phil Cavill reprised his role alongside Les Misérables veteran Michael McCarthy as Javert. After 19 years in prison (five for stealing bread for his sister's starving son and her family, and the rest for trying to escape), Jean Valjean, "prisoner 24601,” is released on parole by the prison guard Javert. In Montfermeil, the duplicitous innkeepers, the Thénardiers, use Cosette as a servant and treat her cruelly while extorting money from Fantine by claiming that Cosette is regularly and seriously ill, as well as demanding money to feed and clothe Cosette, all the while indulging their own daughter, Éponine. [62] The revival recouped its entire initial investment and grossed $109 million.[63]. Éponine returns to find Marius but is shot by the soldiers crossing the barricade. As a convict, Valjean is shunned wherever he goes and cannot find regular work with decent wages or lodging, but the Bishop of Digne offers him food and shelter. But as soon as Valjean and Javert are alone, Valjean frees Javert. "In Dallas and Hong Kong: "Do you hear the people sing? He orders Javert to release her and takes her to a hospital ("Fantine's Arrest"). A CD single of the 'Valjean Quartet' singing "Bring Him Home" was also recorded and released, with proceeds going to the charity "Tickets For Troops". [15][18][19][20], The English-language version, with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and additional material by James Fenton, was substantially expanded and reworked from a literal translation by Siobhan Bracke of the original Paris version, in particular adding a prologue to tell Jean Valjean's background story. A second-rate thief, Thénardier runs a small inn where he continually bilks his customers. Lea Salonga, who previously played the role of Éponine in the 10th Anniversary concert, replaced Rubin-Vega as Fantine beginning on 2 March 2007. Set in early 19th-century France, Les Misérables is the story of Jean Valjean, a French peasant, and his desire for redemption, after serving nineteen years in jail for stealing a loaf of bread for his sister's starving child. The cast was the same as in the West End, supplemented by several guest singers and a choir of former performers. Les Misérables is a 2019 French drama film directed by Ladj Ly in his full-length feature directorial debut, from a screenplay by Ly, Giordano Gederlini and Alexis Manenti, based on Ly's 2017 short film of the same name. Albums: Les Miz Takes Broadway To The Top", " 'Les Misérables' (Original London Cast)", " 'Les Misérables' Original Broadway Cast", "Decca Broadway to Release Les Miz Highlights", "Les Misérables [Relativity Complete Symphonic Recording]", " "les Miserable' Complete Symphonic Recording", "Matilda – the Musical Sweeps Olivier Awards; Benedict Cumberbatch, Jonny Lee Miller Are Also Winners", "OLIVIERS 2014: The Full List Of Winners And Nominees! [27], The original show closed at the Queen's Theatre on 13 July 2019 to allow for theatre refurbishments, after which a staged concert was performed at the adjacent Gielgud Theatre for a four-month run before it returned to the Sondheim Theatre. A short section at the beginning of "In My Life" replaced "I Saw Him Once". [22][23], On 4 December 1985, the show transferred to the Palace Theatre, London and moved again on 3 April 2004, to the smaller Queens Theatre, now called the Sondheim Theatre, with some revisions of staging. Sir Cameron Mackintosh hand-selected the cast, which became known as the Les Misérables Dream Cast, assembled from around the world, and engaged the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. [35], Other members of the original Broadway cast included Kevin Marcum (Brujon), Paul Harman (Combeferre/Foreman), Anthony Crivello (Grantaire/Bamatabois), John Dewar (Joly), Joseph Kolinski (Feuilly), Alex Santoriello (Montparnasse/Labourer), Jesse Corti (Courfeyrac/Farmer), Susan Goodman (Old Woman/Innkeeper's Wife), John Norman (Prouvaire/Pimp), Norman Large (Bishop/Lesgles), Marcus Lovett (Babet/Constable), Steve Shocket (Claquesous/Fauchevelant/Constable/Pimp), Cindy Benson (Old Woman), Marcie Shaw, Jane Bodle, Joanna Glushak, Ann Crumb (Factory Girl), Kelli James, and Gretchen Kingsley-Weihe. The Bishop tells Valjean that he must use the silver "to become an honest man" and that he has "bought (Valjean's) soul for God" ("Valjean Arrested, Valjean Forgiven"). It now ended with the line, "This I swear by the stars! [125] A few subtle changes of vocal pitch have been made: "What Have I Done? Les Miserables has had a long-standing reputation of turning people into miserable crying wrecks – as the title of the book/musical/movie suggests. The following recordings of Les Misérables are available in English: the Original London Cast, the Original Broadway Cast, the Complete Symphonic Recording, the 10th Anniversary London Concert, The 25th Anniversary UK Tour Cast and The 25th Anniversary London Concert. After serving a draconian prison term for stealing bread, Jean Valjean must readjust to the world. Bayard's drawing appeared in several of the novel's earliest French-language editions. Victor Hugo’s masterpiece comes to television in a six-part adaptation by multi- award-winning screenwriter Andrew Davies. 1 Helpful vote. [44], A sit down production played at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, Canada based on the 25th Anniversary touring production. The final concert was filmed and broadcast live to cinemas on 2 December, with a home video, album release and tour planned.[112]. A film adaptation was in development at several times since the late 1980s. For example, "Stars" appears before "Look Down" and shortly after, the original version of "Little People" plays, which was later incorporated into the revealing of Javert. Casts of the current London, international tour, original 1985 London, and several school productions took part, comprising an ensemble of three hundred performers and musicians. Affectionately called "The Hair Hag" in many of the original US companies, the Old Woman is the character who talks Fantine into selling her hair before Fantine becomes a prostitute. [51][52] He was joined by fellow West End star, Earl Carpenter, who reprised the role of Inspector Javert. However, it turns out a man who looks like Valjean has been arrested, and is about to go to trial for breaking parole. RTV KLAN. The lyrics in Javert's "Stars" were changed. The tour also did not use a revolving stage and the scenery was inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. Brujon's role in the musical expands to cover. Find out where Les Miserables is streaming, if Les Miserables is on Netflix, and get news and updates, on Decider. Share. Thanks to innovative touring techniques borrowed from the pop/rock concert industry, the 4.5 million dollar production was adaptable to smaller and larger venues and traveled complete in all of 8 semi tractor trailers. [30][31] The new production is co-directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor with set and image design by Matt Kinley, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter and costumes by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowlands. When she fights back against an abusive customer, Bamatabois, Javert, now a police inspector stationed in Montreuil-sur-Mer, arrives to arrest her. Fantine is a single mother working in his factory, trying to support her daughter Cosette, who is being raised by an innkeeper and his wife while Fantine labours in the city. [13], He shared the idea with French composer Claude-Michel Schönberg, and the two developed a rough synopsis and analysis of each character's mental and emotional state, as well as that of an audience. A very unlucky man, but also a very happy one. In 1997 a second tour began at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, running from 6 May until 14 June,[72] the cast featured: Stig Rossen (Jean Valjean), Michael McCarthy (Javert), Julia Worsley (Fantine), Gemma Sandy (Éponine), Norman Bowman (Marius), Cameron Blakely (Thénardier), Cathy Breeze (Mdme Thénardier), Rebecca Vere (Cosette) and Mark O'Malley (Enjolras). He treats her abusively so she refuses him. The official website for the stage production of Les Misérables. Television adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel, which follows Jean Valjean as he evades capture by the unyielding Inspector Javert. As he dies, the spirits of Fantine and Éponine guide him to Heaven reminding him that "to love another person is to see the face of God". [35], The musical ran at the Broadway Theatre through 10 October 1990, when it moved to the Imperial Theatre. Dominic West, David Oyewolo, Lily Collins and Olivia Colman star in an epic adaption of Les Misérables, premiering Sunday, April 14, 9/8c on MASTERPIECE. [107], On 16 September 2015, it was announced that the Australian tour would launch its international tour in Manila, Philippines at the Theatre at Solaire from March 2016 until 1 May 2016, and proceeded to the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore from May 2016. Official Sites Valjean and Cosette leave for Paris ("The Waltz of Treachery"). He is usually portrayed as well-dressed, as he is in the book. (The Trial)"). Gillenormand, and Claude Reva as the storyteller. An upper-class "fop" who tries to buy Fantine's services. Valjean, passing by the scene, pities Fantine, and when he realises she once worked for him and that she blames him for her misfortune, he is guilt-stricken. Thénardier, Barry James as Thénardier, Kaho Shimada as Éponine, Ross McCall as Gavroche, Michael Ball as Marius, Anthony Warlow as Enjolras, Tracy Shayne as Cosette and Marissa Dunlop as Young Cosette.[148]. This 10th Anniversary Concert was nearly "complete", missing only a handful of scenes, including "The Death of Gavroche", "The Robbery" and the confrontation between Marius and the Thénardiers at the wedding feast. Javert returns to the barricade, searching for Valjean amongst the bodies, and finds the open sewer grating. Feuilly is the only member of the Friends of the ABC who is not a student; he is a workingman. We would like this to be the final version. [122][123], In Panama, Les Misérables was staged in 2014 in Spanish at the famed National Theatre of Panama for a short, sold-out run, directed by Aaron Zebede. | At the hospital, a delirious Fantine dreams of Cosette. The concert was staged by Ken Caswell and conducted by David Charles Abell. Locations have included Manchester, Norwich, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. [137][138] Other notable actors who played roles in the film include Bertie Carvel as Bamatabois, Colm Wilkinson, the original Valjean, as the Bishop of Digne, Hadley Fraser as the army general and Frances Ruffelle as a prostitute.[139]. Thénardier, Richard Dewitte as Marius, Fabienne Guyon as Cosette, Marie-France Dufour as Éponine, Michel Sardou as Enjolras, Fabrice Bernard as Gavroche, Maryse Cédolin as Young Cosette, Claude-Michel Schönberg as Courfeyrac, Salvatore Adamo as Combeferre, Michel Delpech as Feuilly, Dominique Tirmont as M. Gillenormand, and Mireille as the hair buyer. Cosette is in the care of the Thénardiers who are paid by Fantine to take care of her child. Unbeknownst to Valjean, the factory foreman lusts after Fantine, and when she rejects his advances, he takes it out on the other workers, who resent her for it. A student revolutionary, is friends with Éponine, but falls in love with Cosette, and she with him. He firmly believes in the justice of the law, and has no room for mercy. As with the original recordings, however, they differed from the stage versions by excluding some songs (e.g., those vital to plot such as "Fantine's Arrest" and "The Runaway Cart" were kept, while unnecessary or complex songs, such as "At the Barricade", were left out). On 22 October 2013, it was announced that Ramin Karimloo, Will Swenson, Caissie Levy, and Nikki M. James would be headlining the revival cast as Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, and Éponine respectively. As with its predecessor, it is incomplete, and leaves out songs or parts that are more important narratively than musically (e.g., "Fantine's Arrest", "The Runaway Cart", "The Final Battle").