Les Misérables

SYNOPSIS

Les Misérables

Celebrated as the most successful French musical in theatre history, Les Miserables is an epic tale of social and political injustice set against the backdrop of turbulent 19th century France. It whisks the audience off to a country in crisis at the time of Napoleon I's defeat at Waterloo in 1815. In the same year Jean Valjean - the central character in Les Miserables - is released from prison after serving a sentence of nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread. All Valjean wants is to live his life again in peace. Les Miserables is his moving story and recounts the affect he has on the lives of the people that know him. Brilliantly choreographed and expertly delivered on stage, this musical is quite simply unmissable!

From French novel to West End stage

Les Miserables started out life as a French language novel written by author Victor Hugo in 1862. It was originally produced for the stage as a French musical by composer Claude-Michel Schonberg and librettist Alain Boublil. South African born Herbert Kretzmer developed the lyrics for the production that premiered in Paris at the Palais des Sports in September 1980.

Sir Cameron Mackintosh is credited with bringing Les Miserables to worldwide attention. He was introduced to the show by director Peter Ferago, and, impressed, began working on an English language version in 1982 with Trevor Nunn.

Mackintosh employed the services of the musical's original lyricist, Herbert Kretzmer, to adapt the show for an international audience. Kretzmer was given a free hand, and 'redeveloped' the musical, expanding the ideas and concepts of the French production, and bringing in new material. It was a monumental success!

Les Miserables opened in London in 1985, and although the show has moved venue more than once, it has now become one of the longest running (and most successful ever) musicals in the West End.

The Story of Jean Valjean

Released from prison on parole and condemned as an outcast Jean Valjean seeks refuge with the Bishop of Digne, who takes pity on him. But Valjean steals some silver and is caught by the police. The Bishop lies to spare Valjean from further imprisonment, and sends him on his way with a couple of precious candlesticks so he can set up a new life for himself. This Valjean does, but the police inspector, Javert, becomes obsessed with catching Valjean for violating his parole.

A lifelong pursuit then follows in which we see Javert cross paths with Valjean several times. In 1823, Jean Valjean has risen to mayor and is owner of a factory in Montreuil-sur-Mer under an alias name. He is a compassionate man, and when he saves a passer-by after the man is pinned down by a runaway cart, Javert realises the true identity of the mayor. Valjean confesses to being the ex-convict after he realises that Javert is about to imprison an innocent man who he believes to be Valjean -- but Valjean then escapes.  

By 1832 the city of Paris is on the brink of revolution. A battle takes shape between the army and the revolutionaries. Valjean is again a victim of the time and the place. His daughter's love, the student Marius, is involved in the uprising. Valjean saves him when the army crushes the rebellion. Javert confronts them, but on realising that after all this time he had got it wrong about Valjean's character, he commits suicide.

The Show ends with the wedding of Marius and Valjean's daughter, Cosette, and the realisation by Marius, at the hour of Valjean's passing, that Valjean is the unsung hero.

The world's most popular musical

Les Miserables is recognised as one of the most popular theatrical productions of all time. It has been watched by more than 55 million people worldwide, and since it opened in London in 1985, the musical has been produced in 38 countries and in 21 languages.

In August 2007 another milestone was reached. On Friday 10 August, at the Queen's Theatre in the West End, the musical reached an unprecedented 9,000 performances. No other show has run for so long - it even beats Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Cats'!

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