Struggle of Common People: Les Miserables
Yesterday, we went to the Bushnell Performing Arts Center to see the famous musical Les Miserables. It is based on the novel Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and directed by Claude-Micheal Schonberg.
The story begins with a released criminal Jean Valjean who has been put into jail for stole bread for his family. Hotels refuse him for he used to be a criminal so he could only rest in a monastery. He has been caught when he tries to flee away with the father’s silver instruments. But the father claims he is innocent and he gives the silver to Jean Valjean and the only thing he asks is to be a honest man. After years, Valjean uses alias Monsieur Madeleine and becomes a rich factory owner and the mayor of a city. However, his factory dismisses pregnant Fantine. After losing her job, Fantine becomes a prostitute. She leaves her daughter Cosette in Thenardier’s hotel. One day, Fantine has been arrested by the inspector Javert who thinks Fantine attacked noble man. She begs for release for her child but Javert insist to arrest her. Valjean the mayor stops this and send Fantine to hospital. However, Valjean hears about somebody has been recognized as him and been arrested. He steps out and reveals himself. He loses all his fame and property and promises Fantine before her death to take care of Cosette. Later he manages to escape and finds Cosette in Theenardier’s hotel. He takes Cosette away by paying 1500 francs to the greedy family. Later in Paris, a young man Marius falls in love with grown Cosette. When Thenardiers plans to revenge Valjean, Marius summons Jarvert just on time so Thenardiers failed. When the revolution rises, the Javert has been captured, Valjean ask to execute Javert himself but he saves Javert’s live. When later Javert finds Valjean who is saving Marius’ life again, he feels so uncertain that he should capture him or not. So he jumped into river. Marius hears the past of Valjean from him on the marriage of him and Cosett and starts to think Valjean is a mean person. Later when Thenardier tries to tell Marius that Valjean is a murderer Marius discloses his lie and finds out Valjean is a moral man.
The theme of the play is to reflect the human spirit in real world. The goodness of Valjean, the insistence of Javert, the suffering of Fantine, the mean Thenardiers and also the religious effect on people. From my view, the most stressed theme is the suffering of low class people in 19 century France and the redemption of Jean Valjean.
This play is one of the most professional one I have ever seen. The light, scenery, costume and sound are very delicate. Also the wonderful vocal performance is also remarkable. The whole play was represented in songs and actions. The light setting left me a deep impression. The brightness and the color of lights change over time. For example, In the first scene, the light seems dim and when Valjean was forgiven by the father the light color turns warmer. Also, the actors use the darkness to move objects around and change their position. At many points, the brightness was just appropriate to blind the audience but can make things appear next second.
My favourite character in this play is Javert. He thought himself as justice and always being right. However, what he does not know is he did blamed a lot of innocent people and persecute them. Javert was not so important in the play but its story reflects the struggle inside his heart which is really inspiring. He thought that Valjean is a unpardonably wicked degrading bug. He starts to exam his behavior when he sees the goodness of Valjean as he make more contact with Valjean. The scene that moves me the most is Javert’s monologue before he jump into the river. The author let Javert express all his torments in this scene. The doubt of his behavior for these years from starts with his suspicious on Valjean’s motivation of releasing him. At this moment, the actor uses his powerful, sad and beautiful voice to create this pathetic feeling inside Javert’s heart. Prolonged last word of Javert and arousing orchestra end this scene perfectly. The miserable fate of Javert end up with jumping into cold Seine.
In the end, I have to say the finger popping music and good choice of voice of actors make this play really heartshaking.I have enjoy this play very much. Thanks to the school provides this opportunity to me to enjoy this classical masterpiece.
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