Les Misérables (nicknamed known in English-speaking countries as Les
Mis or Les Miz), is a sung-through musical based on the
novel Les Misérables by French poet and novelist Victor Hugo. It
premiered in Paris in 1980 but only ran for three months; however, the London
production has run continuously since October 1985, making it the
longest-running musical in the West End and the second longest-running musical
in the world after the original Off-Broadway run of The Fantasticks.
Set
in early 19th-century France, it is the story of Jean Valjean, a French
peasant, and his quest for redemption after serving nineteen years in jail for
having stolen a loaf of bread for his sister's starving child. Valjean decides
to break his parole and start his life anew after a kindly bishop inspires him
by a tremendous act of mercy, but he is relentlessly tracked down by a police
inspector named Javert. Along the way, Valjean and a slew of characters are
swept into a revolutionary period in France, where a group of young idealists
make their last stand at a street barricade.
In
1983, about six months after producer Cameron Mackintosh had opened Cats
on Broadway, he received a copy of the French concept album and asked to adapt
it in English. Mackintosh, in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company, assembled
a production team to adapt the French musical for a British audience.
The
Broadway production opened 12 March 1987 and ran until 18 May 2003, closing
after 6,680 performances. It is the fifth longest-running Broadway show in
history and was the second-longest at the time. The show was nominated for 12
Tony Awards and won eight, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. A
Broadway revival opened in 2006 at the Broadhurst Theatre and closed in 2008,
and a second Broadway revival opened in 2014 at the Imperial Theatre and closed
in September 2016. A film version starring Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Russell
Crowe, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seifreid, Helena Bonham Carter, and Sasha Baron
Cohen was released at the end of 2012 to generally positive reviews as well as
numerous awards nominations, winning three Academy Awards, three Golden Globe
Awards and four British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA).
The
musical's emblem is a picture of the waif Cosette sweeping the Thénardiers' inn
(which occurs in the musical during "Castle on a Cloud"), usually
shown cropped to a head-and-shoulders portrait superimposed on the French
flag.
Act I
In
1815, the prisoners work at hard labour ("Work Song"). After 19 years
in prison (five for stealing bread for his starving sister's son and her
family, and the rest for trying to escape), Jean Valjean, "prisoner
24601", is released on parole by the policeman Javert. By law, Valjean
must display a yellow ticket-of-leave, which identifies him as an ex-convict
("On Parole"). 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. Desperate and embittered, Valjean steals the
Bishop's silver and flees. He is captured by the police, but rather than turn
him in, the Bishop lies and tells the police that the silver was a gift, giving
Valjean a pair of silver candlesticks in addition. 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"). Ashamed and humbled by the Bishop's kindness, Valjean resolves
to redeem his sins ("Valjean's Soliloquy" / "What Have I
Done?"). He tears up his yellow ticket, breaking his parole but giving
himself a chance to start a new life free from the stigma of his criminal past.
Eight
years later, in 1823, Valjean has assumed a new identity as Monsieur Madeleine,
a wealthy factory owner and mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer. 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 labors in the city.
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. One day, a coworker steals a letter about Cosette from Fantine, revealing
to the other workers that Fantine has a child. A fight breaks out, and the
foreman and other workers uses the incident as a pretense to fire Fantine
("At the End of the Day"). Fantine reflects on her broken dreams and
about Cosette's father, who abandoned them both ("I Dreamed a
Dream"). Desperate for money, she sells her locket and hair, finally
becoming a prostitute ("Lovely Ladies"). When she fights back against
an abusive customer, Bamatabois, Javert, now a police inspector stationed in
Montreuil-sur-Mer, arrives to arrest her. But Valjean, passing by the scene,
pities Fantine, and when he realizes she once worked for him and that she blames
him for her misfortune, he is guilt-stricken. He orders Javert to release her
and take her to a hospital ("Fantine's Arrest").
Soon
afterwards, Valjean rescues a man pinned by a runaway cart ("The Runaway
Cart"). Javert, who has up until now not recognized Valjean, though he has
pursued him as a fugitive all these years, witnesses the incident and becomes
suspicious, remembering the incredible strength Valjean displayed in the work
camp. But it turns out another man has been arrested, and is about to go to
trial for breaking parole. The real Valjean realizes that this case of mistaken
identity could free him forever, but he's not willing to see an innocent man go
to prison in his place and so confesses his identity to the court ("Who Am
I?—The Trial"). At the hospital, a delirious Fantine dreams of Cosette.
Valjean promises to find Cosette and protect her ("Come to Me" /
"Fantine's Death"). Relieved, Fantine succumbs to her illness and
dies. Javert arrives to take Valjean back into custody, but Valjean asks Javert
for time to fetch Cosette. Javert refuses, insisting that a criminal like
Valjean can never change or do good. They struggle, but Valjean overpowers
Javert and escapes ("The Confrontation").
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. Cosette
dreams of a life with a mother where she is not forced to work and is treated
lovingly ("Castle on a Cloud"). The Thénardiers cheat their
customers, stealing their possessions and setting high prices for low-quality
service, and live a life of criminal depravity ("Master of the
House"). Valjean meets Cosette while she's on an errand drawing water and
offers the Thénardiers payment to adopt her ("The Bargain"). 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. Valjean and Cosette leave for Paris ("The
Waltz of Treachery").
Nine
years later, in 1832, Paris is in upheaval because of the impending death of
General Lamarque, the only man in the government who shows mercy to the poor.
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; their 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"). The Thénardiers prepare to con some charitable
visitors, who turn out to be Valjean and Cosette, who has grown into a
beautiful young woman. While the gang bamboozles her father, Cosette runs into
Marius, and the pair fall in love at first sight. Thénardier suddenly
recognizes Valjean, but before they can finish the robbery, Javert, now an
inspector stationed here in Paris, comes to the rescue ("The
Robbery"). Valjean and Cosette escape, and only later (when Thénardier
tips him off) does Javert suspect who they were. 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"). Meanwhile, Marius persuades Éponine to help him find
Cosette ("Éponine's Errand").
At
a small café, Enjolras exhorts a group of idealistic students to prepare for
revolution. Marius interrupts the serious atmosphere by fantasizing about his
new-found love, much to the amusement of his compatriots, particularly the
wine-loving Grantaire ("The ABC Café—Red and Black"). When Gavroche
brings the news of General Lamarque's death, the students realize that they can
use the public's dismay to incite their revolution and that their time has come
("Do You Hear the People Sing?"). At Valjean's house, Cosette thinks
about her chance meeting with Marius and later confronts Valjean about the
secrets he keeps about his and her own past ("Rue Plumet—In My
Life"). Éponine leads Marius to Valjean's house (despite being heartbroken
that he has fallen in love with another), and he and Cosette meet again and
confess their mutual love ("A Heart Full of Love"). Thénardier and
his gang arrive, intending to rob Valjean's house, but Éponine stops them by screaming
a warning ("The Attack on Rue Plumet"). The scream alerts Valjean,
who believes that the intruder was Javert. He tells Cosette that it's time once
again for them to go on the run, and starts planning for them to flee France
altogether.
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 as he and the other students prepare for battle; Éponine
acknowledges 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. Marius decides to
stand with his friends, and all anticipate what the dawn will bring ("One
Day More").
Act II
As
the students build a barricade to serve as their rally point, Javert, disguised
as a rebel, volunteers to "spy" on the government troops. Marius
discovers that Éponine has disguised herself as a boy to join the rebels and sends
her to deliver a farewell letter to Cosette. ("Building the Barricade—Upon
These Stones") Valjean intercepts the letter and learns about Marius and
Cosette's romance. Éponine walks the streets of Paris alone, imagining that
Marius is there with her, but laments that her love for Marius will never be
reciprocated ("On My Own").
The
French army arrives at the barricade and demands that the students surrender
("At the Barricade—Upon These Stones"). Though Javert tells the
students that the government will not attack that night ("Javert's
Arrival"), Gavroche recognises him and quickly exposes him as a spy, and
the students detain Javert ("Little People"). Their plan is to spark
a general uprising with their act of defiance, hoping that all the people of Paris
will side with them and overwhelm the army. Éponine returns to find Marius but
is shot by the soldiers crossing the barricade. As Marius holds her, she
assures him that she feels no pain and reveals her love for him before dying in
his arms ("A Little Fall of Rain"). The students mourn this first
loss of life at the barricades and resolve to fight in her name, and they carry
her body away while Enjolras attempts to comfort Marius, who is heartbroken
over Éponine's death. Valjean arrives at the barricade, crossing the government
lines, disguised as a soldier ("Night of Anguish"), hoping that he
might somehow protect Marius in the coming battle for Cosette's sake. The
rebels are suspicious of him at first, but when the army attacks, Valjean saves
Enjolras by shooting at a sniper and scaring him off, and they accept him as
one of them. In return, he asks Enjolras to be the one to execute the
imprisoned Javert, which Enjolras grants. But as soon as Valjean and Javert are
alone, Valjean frees Javert. Javert warns Valjean that he will not give up his
pursuit and rejects what he perceives as a bargain for Valjean's freedom.
Valjean says there are no conditions to his release, and holds no ill-will
toward Javert for doing his duty. ("The First Attack").
The
students settle down for the night and reminisce about the past while also
expressing anxiety about the battle to come. Enjolras tells the other students
to stay awake in case the enemy strikes unexpectedly in the night, but he tells
Marius to get some sleep, knowing Marius is still much too devastated over
losing Éponine to stay awake. Grantaire gets angry and asks the students if
they fear to die as Marius wonders if Cosette will remember him if he dies.
("Drink with Me"). As Marius sleeps, Valjean prays to God to protect
Marius, even if the cost for Marius' safety is his own life ("Bring Him
Home"). As dawn approaches, Enjolras realizes 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"). 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"). The army gives a final warning, but the rebels fight to the
last man with Enjolras exhorting "Let others rise to take our place, until
the Earth is free!". Everyone at the barricade is killed except Valjean
and a gravely wounded Marius, who escape into the sewers ("The Final
Battle"). Javert returns to the barricade, searching for Valjean amongst
the bodies, and finds the open sewer grating.
Valjean
carries Marius through the sewers but collapses in exhaustion. While he is
unconscious, Thénardier, who has been looting bodies ("Dog Eats
Dog"), comes upon them and takes a ring from the unconscious Marius, but
flees when Valjean (whom he again recognizes) regains consciousness. When
Valjean carries Marius to the sewer's exit, he finds Javert waiting for him.
Valjean begs Javert for one hour to bring Marius to a doctor, and Javert
reluctantly agrees. Javert finds himself unable to reconcile Valjean's merciful
acts with his conception of Valjean as an irredeemable criminal. Refusing to
compromise his principles but no longer able to hold them sacred, he finds
himself torn between his beliefs about God and his desire to adhere to the law
and commits suicide by throwing himself into the Seine ("Soliloquy –
Javert's Suicide").
In
the wake of the failed revolution, women mourn the deaths of the students
("Turning") and Marius, wounded but alive, despairs at the sacrifice
of so many lives and at the death of his friends while he survives ("Empty
Chairs at Empty Tables"). As he wonders who saved his own life, Cosette
comforts him, and they reaffirm their blossoming romance. Valjean realises that
Cosette will not need him as a caretaker once she's married and gives them his
blessing ("Every Day"). Valjean confesses to Marius that he is an
escaped convict and must go away because his presence endangers Cosette
("Valjean's Confession"), making Marius promise never to tell
Cosette. A few months later, Marius and Cosette marry ("Wedding
Chorale"). 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. When
Thénardier shows him the ring as proof, Marius realizes that it was Valjean who
saved his life. The newlyweds leave to find Valjean (in some productions,
Marius pauses to give Thénardier a punch in the face). The Thénardiers are not
discouraged, instead gloating that their craven practicality has saved their
lives time and time again ("Beggars at the Feast").
At
a convent, Valjean awaits his death, having nothing left to live for. The
spirit of Fantine appears to him and tells him that he has been forgiven and
will soon be with God. Cosette and Marius arrive to find Valjean near death.
Valjean thanks God for letting him live long enough to see Cosette again, and
Marius thanks him for saving his life. ("Epilogue – Valjean's
Death"). Valjean gives Cosette a letter confessing his troubled past and
the truth about her mother. 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." They are joined by the spirits of those who died at the
barricades, who sing that in the next world, God lays low all tyranny and frees
all oppressed people from their shackles ("Do You Hear the People Sing?
(Reprise)").
