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Rehearsal Information
"Les Miserables"
Hyperlinks
Here are a few hyperlinks to help find some more information about the show and the characters.
Les Miserables – the musical - http://www.lesmis.com/pages/about/creation_1.htm
Online book - free download - http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/135
Characters - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Characters_of_Les_Mis%C3%A9rables
Songs from Les Miserables -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songs_from_Les_Mis%C3%A9rables
Map of Parish 1834 - http://rumsey.geogarage.com/maps/g0890195_194.html
Who am I quiz - http://www.mv.com/users/ang/fanfic/quiz.html
List of Characters - http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/Les-Miserables-About-the-Novel-List-of-Characters.id-61,pageNum-5.html
Pronunciations - http://www.lesmis.com/pages/about/les_miz_eh_rahb.htm
The novel in full - http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Les_Mis
Analysis of Major Characters - http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/lesmis/canalysis.html
Large gallery of different artists interpretations of the characters and locations. –
http://www.pontauchange.com/Gallery/gallery.html
In depth synopsis - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mis%C3%A9rables_(musical)#Synopsis
Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is the hero of the show. It is his life journey that we follow.
After being convicted for stealing a loaf of bread, and several failed escape attempts, he is paroled from prison nineteen years later. The devout Bishop of Digne offers him food & lodging; a kindness Valjean repays by stealing the Bishop’s silver knives & forks. He is captured and returned to the Bishop who claims that Valjean has not only been given this silver but has forgotten to take with him the silver candle sticks he claims to have given him. The bishop goes on to tell Valjean that his soul now belongs to God and that he must use this silver only for good. Valjean resolves to devote his life to this end. He creates a new life for himself in Montreuil- Sur –Mer as the mayor, Monsieur Pierre Madeleine. Javert reveals that a man suspected of being the felon “Valjean”, now faces trial and is about to be given a life sentence. Unable to accept the responsibility of allowing another man to be found guilty of his own crimes, he reveals his true identity at the trial and in the confusion that follows, eludes arrest. He fulfills his promise to Fantine to rescue her daughter Cosette from the “care” of the Thenardiers and raises her as his own daughter.
Valjean should carry himself as mature and paternal character who is always aware of the very real possibility that Javert will track him down and thus threaten not only his own life but also that of Cosette. Valjean is stronger than other men, and should physically appear so. The key to his character is his great humility and compassion. This is a vocally and dramatically demanding role.
*Stage age – ranges from 47yo at the beginning of the show to 64yo at the end. **Vocal Range Ab- B2-Tenor
Javert
Javert is the inspector who serves as the antagonist to Valjean. Born in a prison and the child of a prostitute and a thief, Javert is unswerving in his belief that men cannot change, “once a thief, always a thief” is his mantra. At first glance Javert might appear to be the villain of the story, but on closer examination it is clear that he is not an evil man. He is a dedicated policeman, with a profound sense of duty and a strict moral code that he serves in honour of a higher power. His story follows what appears to be his endless quest to bring Valjean to justice. At one point Valjean has the chance to kill Javert, but lets him go. At their next encounter Javert allows Valjean to escape; both events challenging the very essence of his “credo”. This inner conflict leads him to commit suicide by jumping into the River Seine.
Javert’s emotional rigidity and obsession with “the law” direct his life and while Valjean embraces his cathartic experiences as a means to strive for a better life, Javert cannot cope with the extreme conflict he feels within and so ends his life. Unlike Valjean he cannot change.
Vocally and dramatically demanding, this role requiring a baritone with a large range and a high tessitura.
*Stage age – ranges from 35yo at the beginning of the show to 52yo at the end. **Vocal Range G-F#2 Baritone
Fantine
Born and left an orphan in Montreuil-Sur-Mer, Fantine becomes a Parisian working class woman who is abandoned by her lover Félix Tholomyès. She is forced to leave her daughter Cosette in the care of the innkeeper Thénardier and his wife who live in Montfermeil.
She finds work at Monsieur Madeleine's (Jean Valjean’s) factory, but the foreman, whose advances she rejects, fires her forcing her to use whatever means she can to survive and meet the Thénardiers’ repeated demands for money. She sells her hair, her front teeth, her cherished locket and finally turns to prostitution. After rejecting the rich Bamatabois as a prospective client, Fantine is arrested by Javert only to be rescued by Madeleine who takes care of her until her death from tuberculosis. She is a noble character, whose life becomes a series of terrible events that rob her of her pride, spirit and ultimately her life. * Stage age – 27yo **Vocal Range G-D2 Alto/MS
Eponine
Eponine is the Thénardiers' eldest daughter who as a child is pampered and spoiled by her parents, but ends up in adolescence as a victim of the Parisian underclass environment. A tragic character, she participates in her father's crimes to obtain money. She falls in love with Marius, knowing that he will never return her love. She is a young girl who is streetwise and tough, but also sensitive and lonely. She bravely follows Marius to the Barricades where she dies in his arms, finally happy as they sing the tragically ironic ‘A Little Fall of Rain’.
*Stage age – ranges from 16yo to 17yo **Vocal Range F-F2 Alto
Marius
Marius is the handsome romantic hero of the story. He is an aristocrat by birth who rejects his title and privileges to follow his political beliefs. He is impulsive, passionate, willful and headstrong. He is a good friend to Eponine, who is madly in love with him, but it is Cosette that he falls for at first sight. As a member of the Friends of the ABC he fights beside Enjolras at the barricade and it is he alone who survives the battles due to the efforts of Valjean who carries him through the sewers of Paris to safety. Marius is deeply affected by the death of his friends. At the end of the musical he marries Cosette. *Stage age – 21yo to 22yo **Vocal Range Bb-Ab2 Tenor
Enjolras
Enjolras is a youthful, handsome, charismatic and passionate student who uses his great charm to inspire and rally his fellow revolutionaries. His leadership of the group known as the Friends of the ABC combines his socialist ideals with a strong moral ethic. The students admire Enjolras and willingly follow him to the barricade. Enjolras must be inspiring and confident enough to convince the students to risk their lives for their “cause”. The last to fall at the barricade, Enjolras dies still waving the red flag. He is a man of great passion who acts on impulse with an almost obsessive focus and intention. *Stage age – 22yo **Vocal Range A-G#2 Tenor
Thenardier
Thenardier is a sly, evil “sewer rat” a conman whose soul purpose is to create wealth by any means available; although as Hugo writes “Mere lack of scruples does not ensure prosperity.”
He is a man with a wicked lascivious sense of humor who revels in deceit, robbery, fraud and blackmail, savoring his own deviousness with relish; murder a definite option when necessary. He is tough, greedy, brutal and crafty with a greasy charm which enables him to manipulate his victims with apparent ease.
He hates society and blames it for all his misfortunes. His role becomes increasingly sinister as he revives his perverted skills learned on the battle fields of Waterloo, as he robs the bodies of the dead without remorse.
Perversely, he is the comic relief in the show. He is married to Madame Thenardier and is the father of Eponine and Gavroche (although he has abandoned Gavroche to the streets of Paris).
*Stage age – ranges from 42yo at the beginning of the show to 54yo at the end. **Vocal Range C1-E#2 H/Baritone
Madame Thenardier
Madame Thenardier is the wife of Thenardier.Truly the woman behind the “throne”, she loves him in her own warped way as together they con the world as partners in crime She is coarse, vulgar, and endlessly searching for the kind of life embraced by her “romance novel” heroines . She treats Cosette as her personal slave and is a larger than life character; she joins her husband as the “second banana” in the show’s black humoured comedy duo.
*Stage age – ranges from 27yo at the beginning of the show to 39yo at the end. **Vocal Range G#-F2 Alto
Cosette
Cosette is the beautiful daughter of Fantine. Raised & educated in a convent, she is strong-willed and loving. She has had a wretched childhood as the ward of the Thénardiers, but once adopted by Valjean, she lives a comfortable but secluded life in his devoted care. After bumping into Marius she is instantly smitten and her world changes in ways she could never have imagined.
This is a vocally challenging role, requiring artistry and a solid classical technique in order to comfortably handle the sustained, soft high notes of the music (High Bb & High C). The vocal quality must be light with an ability to sustain the legato line of the music The role also requires ability to articulate lyrics clearly at the top and lower end of the vocal range. She sings some of the most beautiful melodies in the score.
*Stage age – ranges from 16yo to 17yo **Vocal Range Bb-C3 Soprano
Young Cosette
Young Cosette is the child of Fantine. When Fantine is unable to find work as a single mother she leaves Cosette as a ward with the Thenardies. She is a trembling little creature, underfed, beaten by Madame Thenardier and bullied by Eponine. She is sweet and lovable and dreams of a better life - “Castle on a Cloud”. The audience must feel much sympathy for young Cosette. She is portrayed as the personification of “Les Miserables”
*Stage age – 8yo **Vocal Range A-C2
Young Eponine
Young Eponine is the pampered daughter of the Thenardiers. Although she does not sing she does enter the stage to taunt Cosette. This performer will sing briefly as other small characters in the show.
*Stage age – 8yo Mute Role but the performer will have a couple of short pieces to sing as other characters.
Gavroche
Gavroche is the Thenardiers’ son. However his parents abandon him and he is left to fend for himself and live by his wits in the streets of Paris. Gavroche is a street-wise urchin who is very similar in personality to the Artful Dodger from ‘Oliver’. He is a rebellious and comical scamp who delights in slipping through the fingers of the law - particularly Javert. He is brave and witty; always eager to be a part of the excitement until he dies heroically at the barricades.
*Stage age – 11yo to 12yo **Vocal Range Bb-D2
Bishop of Digne
It is the Bishop whose compassionate treatment prompts the reformation of the ex-convict Valjean. The Bishop houses Valjean after his release from jail and gives him the gifts of silver and absolution. The Bishop is a truly spiritual man who offers Valjean the opportunity to make a new start and in effect “buys” his soul for God. Valjean is inspired by him to pursue an honest life. This is a small but powerful and inspiring role requiring a performer whose voice should have a beautiful colour and whose dramatic portrayal should possess grace and sincerity. *Stage age – 76yo A-E2 Baritone **Vocal Range A-E2 Baritone
Fauchelevent
Fauchelevent is a former business man in Montreuil-Sur-Mer whose factory has suffered as a result of Monsieur Madeleine’s success. He is forced to resort to working with a horse & cart but the horse’s hind legs break under the load of the cart and it crashes crushing him under it. Valjean, as Madeleine, saves his life.
*Stage age – elderly **Vocal Range B1-Eb2 H/Baritone
Students
Combeferre is the philosopher of the students. A believer in peace, he is gentle, humane, strong and brave. He is second in command of the student society. **Vocal Range E1-F2 H Baritone D1-Eb2/A2
Feuilly is a worker; an orphan who is self educated and a believer in ‘nationality’, he is affectionate, warm and poetic. . **Vocal Range D1-Eb2/A2 Tenor
Courfeyrac who along with Enjolras and Combeferre, helps to incite and to lead the insurrection, is youthful, passionate and fearless. **Vocal Range E1-F2 H Baritone
Joly is a medical student; eccentric and light hearted, although sometimes morbid. His name comes from the English word, jolly. A hypochondriac, he is nevertheless a spirited and happy companion. **Vocal Range D1-D2 Baritone
Prouvaire is a social studies student who is kind, soft spoken and at the right moments strong and masterful. Also a poet, he is rich, sensitive, and intelligent. **Vocal Range G1-Eb2 Baritone
Lesgles - A close friend of Joly he is a cheerful soul who, although he enjoys life, also appears to be unlucky.
**Vocal Range E1-G2 Tenor
Grantaire is the opposite of Enjolras. He believes in nothing. Although he admires Enjolras, he loves to mock him. Almost permanently drunk, he is happy being with the group and they put up with him because of his good humor. **Vocal Range E1-F#2 H/Baritone/Tenor
*The Stage age for all Students is early 20s
Members of Thenardier’s gang (Parisian Mafia)
Brujon - Physically very strong. Body of a bear but a pea sized brain. A genuine gangster, he is stupid and evil. *Stage age – 20s **Vocal Range B1-E2 H/Baritone
Babet - A fast talker - physically frail and cunning, he claims to be a chemist and has played in vaudeville at Saint-Mihiel. He also acted as a dentist pulling teeth for a living – and fun.
*Stage age – 25+ **Vocal Range E1-E2 H. Baritone/Tenor
Claquesous is tough, dangerous, and secretive – darkness incarnate. He is a ventriloquist who always wears a mask. Claquesous is a nickname. *Stage age – 20s **Vocal Range Eb1-E2 High Baritone
Montparnasse is a teenager who is handsome but dangerous. He kills with a knife. He is well dressed, strongly built and agile. *Stage age – 19 **Vocal Range C1-C2 Baritone
Miscellaneous Minor Principal Roles
Bamatabois
Bamatabois is the “customer” who taunts Fantine into violence. He is a wealthy dissolute young man who dresses in expensive clothes and thinks of himself as a gentleman. He is a sadistic drunk and chauvinistically feels it is his right to buy anything, especially Fantine. *Stage age 20’s – early 30’s **Vocal Range Eb1-F2 H/Baritone/Tenor
Foreman
The Foreman’s actions contribute to the final descent of Fantine’s downward spiral of desperation. He should be virile, commanding and a bit sleazy around the edges. *Stage age 20’s – early 30’s **Vocal Range D1-C2 Baritone
Pimp
The Pimp controls the prostitutes at the docks. He is mean and aggressive but persuasive. *Stage age 20’s +
**Vocal Range C1-Eb2 H.Baritone/Tenor
General Information – Minor Principals, One Liners and Featured Chorus Roles
There is a total of 88 characters in this production. The Minor principals, “One Liners” and Featured Chorus roles vary in length and difficulty. Some have very little to sing and others quite a lot.
We have arranged the majority of these roles so that, with the exception of the principal performers, most performers will have several characters to perform.
This is necessary to keep the microphones needed to a manageable number.
ALL roles will have either an understudy who will cover a single role or a “swing” who will understudy a few Minor Principals, One Liners or Featured Chorus roles.
All understudies and swings WILL be rehearsed and as a general rule, WILL perform if the principal performer is unable to perform for any reason.
Understudies and Swings will also perform as part of the ensemble. This presents a wonderful opportunity to learn roles which can be added to your resume.
With a proposed schedule of four shows per weekend over three weekends this is an important step to ensure that the high standard of the show is maintained for all performances.
*Stage age refers to the performer’s appearance on stage –not actual or chronological age. For example you do not need to be 76 years old to perform the Bishop nor 16-17 to be eligible for Eponine or Cosette.
**** C1= middle C – all roles are written on Treble Clef
Secondary Principals
Minor Principals One Liners Featured Chorus
Students Farmer Convicts 1,2,3,4,5
Combeferre Labourer Worker 1.2
Feuilly Inn Keeper’s Wife Woman
Corfeyrac Inn Keeper Girl 1.2. 4.
Joly Constable #1 Sailor 1, 2, 3
Prouvaire Constable #2 Old Woman
Lesgles Army Officer Whore 1, 2, 3,
Onlooker 1, 2, 3, 4
Drinker 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Thenardier’s Gang Girl Drinker
Montparnasse New Customer
Babet Old Beggar Woman
Bujon Young Prostitute
Claquesous Woman 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Solo Beggar
Miscellaneous Urchin
Bambatabois Sentry 1,2
Pimp Major Domo (Spoken)
Fauchlevent
Foreman
E&OE Vocal Ranges available via email for all roles sussanetowers@vocalperformance.com.au
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