Les Miserables

I have not seen a play that is sang until two weeks ago when I saw Les Miserables on DVD. I have heard about the play last year when it was on Broadway, but I was never really interested in seeing it. In fact I was not interested in any plays at that time in my life. Not until I saw “Wicked” in October I began liking theatre. After watching Les Miserables on video I really want to see the show live as I believe it is spectacular. I base my opinion on the original play because I have not seen any recent productions. Les Miserables appealed to me because of its realistic plot and the amazing musical performance.

Les Miserables takes place in France in 1815. Jean Valjean is released after being in jail for five years. He steals again, but is rescued by the Bishop and promises to him that from now on he will be an honest man. Right away he is followed by Javert who is convinced that Valjean will start his criminal lifestyle. He makes a good living for himself and owns a factory, he then meets a prostitute, Fantine, and she was fired from her job. She has a daughter and Valjean promises to the dying Fantine that he will take care of her little girl. He finds the girl, Cosette, and they both move to Paris. Ten years after they move to Paris, a bunch of students are preparing to revolt against the government. One of the students, Marius sees Cosette and immediately falls in love with her. Another one of the students, Eponine falls in love with Marius, but she knows that he has feelings for Cosette. When the students decide to revolt, Valjean aware of the fact that Marius loves Cosette joins the revolt. Eponine dies in the battle; she is shot and dies in Marius’ arms. Valjean carries Marius’ body home and he encounters Javert, who lets him bring Marius to the family and then realizes that he has misjudged Valjean. Not being able to deal with that fact, Javert commits suicide. Marius and Cosette soon marry and when Marius finds out that Valjean is an ex-convict he doesn’t want Cosette to see him anymore, but once he learns that it was Valjean that saved his life they come to him and ask him to come live with them. Unfortunately it is too late Valjean sees the young couple happy and slowly after that he dies.

I really liked the music in the play. The song “Look Down” marks the important moments in the play. It is the entrance song; it is present in Act II, as well as in the scene after Valjean and Cosette move to Paris. It is important to the play as it shows the lack of faith of the prisoners. “Look down, Look down, you are here until you die” does not sound too optimistic. The workers, when singing, refer to Jesus saying that he does not care as he has forgotten them. It creates a very pessimistic mood in the play and is incredibly influential. Another really sad song in the play is called “Empty Chairs and Empty Tables” and it is performed by Marius after the revolt where most of his friends die. He says “we could see the world” and he also says that those chairs and tables will be empty as all of his friends who sat at them are all dead now. The song is very depressing and gloomy, but it perfectly fits the atmosphere of the play.

The plot and the music make Les Miserables an incredible piece of Art. The play is based on realism and incorporates many important themes. It is one of those things that you have to be there to see it, and that is mainly the reason why I plan to see this play once it makes its return to Broadway. I will definitely not miss it this time.