Les Misérables is undoubtedly one of the best-known pieces of all time.
This revolutionary 20th-century production forever changed the future of dramatic storytelling.
Today, let's take a closer look at this piece.
Les Misérables in London: article summary
What's the story behind Les Misérables?
Jean Valjean is condemned to death. After serving 19 years in prison for the simple theft of a loaf of bread, he is released.
Dreaming of a new life, all his hopes are immediately dashed when he plunges back into thievery.
While Valjean is on the run, Inspector Javert does everything he can to track him down. But Valjean now devotes his life to looking after Cosette, the daughter of a prostitute, they end up fleeing to Paris.
In this period of revolution, you'll follow the trio as they try to adapt to the New World.
When was the first performance of Les Misérables?
Prior to the release of the English-language version, now available worldwide London's West EndLes Misérables have plays it for the first time in French.
Performances began in September 1980 at the Palais des Sports in Paris, where over 500,000 people attended 105 shows.
The first English production began performances at the Barbican on September 28, 1985before an opening night on October 9, 1985.
After two months, the musical transferred to the Palace Theatre, where it played for 19 years. Currently, the London production of Les Misérables is at the Sondheim Theatre, where it has been held since 2004.
Who wrote Les Misérables?
Les Misérables is an adaptation of a 19th-century novel by French novelist and playwright Victor Hugo.
Hugo also gave us The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, which has since been adapted into a musical.
How long does the piece last?
Les Misérables last 2 hours and 50 minuteswith a 15-minute intermission.
Further information on Les Misérables
To create all the authentic French revolutionary costumes, a large team of historians and costume designers set to work. In all, you'll find over 392 costumes on stage, including 85 wigs and more than 5,000 different garments.
The musical has been translated into 21 different languages. It can be found in North America, many European countries and Asia.
Production celebrated sa 10 000ᵉ performance January 22, 2010.
What about the cinema version?
A film adaptation of Les Misérables was released in 2012.
The cast included :
- Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean
- Russell Crowe as Javert
- Anne Hathaway as Fantine
- Amanda Seyfried as Cosette
- Eddie Redmayne as Marius Pontmercy
- Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen as the Thénardiers.
West End and Broadway stars are also present in the film. They include :
- Samantha Barks as Eponine
- Aaron Tveit as Enjolras
If you'd like to discover or rediscover this classic from French literature, I recommend heading to the West End for an evening like none you've experienced before. There, you can follow the adventures of Valjean and Cosette and discover their painful fate.
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