Les Miserables is a sung-through musical based on the 1862 novel of the same name by Victor Hugo. It tells the story of Jean Valjean, a French peasant who breaks his parole and goes on the run from Javert, the Chief of Police. Valjean promises to care for Fantine's daughter Cosette after Fantine dies. Years later, as the city of Paris is torn by revolution, Valjean and Javert's paths cross again. The musical debuted in Paris in 1980 and has since had many successful productions worldwide, including on Broadway where it ran for over 6,600 performances.

1. Les Miserables
Presented by: Claire Gui

2. Brief Introduction
☼ a sung-through musical
☼ the novel Les Misérables by French poet and novelist Victor
Hugo
☼ in 1862

3. The story
☼ Jean Valjean, a French peasant and convicted thief,
is freed from jail by a kind bishop and makes the
most of the opportunity, changing his name and
eventually becoming a factory owner and Mayor.
☼ When Valjean’s criminal past is resurrected and the
Chief of Police, Javert, vows to bring him to justice,
Valjean is forced to give up everything he has
worked for and flee.
☼ Before doing so, he promises Fantine, a former
worker on her death-bed, that he’ll find and care
for her daughter Cosette.

4. the Story
☼ Years later, Valjean has cared for Cosette as a
father, Javert seeks him still, and the city of Paris
is torn by revolutionaries.
☼ Political and personal stories become intertwined,
and all are called to question their devotion to
freedom, love, and justice.

5. Original Production
in Paris 1980
music Claude-Michel Schönberg
Alain Boublil &Jean-Marc Natel(French lyrics)
Herbert Kretzmer(English Adaption)

6. Productions
1980 Paris
1985 West End
1987 Broadway
1987 First US Tour
1995 10th Anniversary: The Dream Cast in Concert
2006 Broadway revival
2010 25th Anniversary Tour and Concert
2012 Film Adaptation
Multiple productions worldwide
2014 Broadway revival

7. About this musical
☼The Broadway production opened on March 12, 1987, and ran
until May 18, 2003, closing after 6,680 performances. It is the fifth
longest-running Broadway show in history. A fully re-
orchestrated Broadway revival opened on November 9, 2006 at
the Broadhurst Theatre.
☼The show was nominated for twelve Tony Awards, winning
eight, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Les
Misérables placed first in a BBC Radio 2 listener poll of the
"Nation's Number One Essential Musicals" in June 2005,
receiving more than 40% of the votes cast.

8. Songs in the musical
☼"Valjean's Death"
☼"Fantine's Death: Who am I"
☼"Bring Him Home"
☼"On My Own"
☼"Do you hear the people sing?"
wriiten by Alain Boublil &Jean-Marc Natel

9. Choreographer of the musical
☼ Kate Flatt
☼ began her career as assistant
choreographer to Leonide Massine,
whilst making new works for
choreographic groups in ballet
companies.
☼ Her career spans nationally and
internationally, and includes ballet
and contemporary dance works,
film, opera and musicals, including
the original musical staging for Les
Misérables (1985) at the RSC.