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Date night, and I was stuck out of town back on this absurd travel schedule I signed up for. So, I went to Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre/West End, and was in tears nearly the entire performance. probably the fourth time I’ve seen it, and I’ve read the book twice. It’s no longer on broadway or on tour in North America — so i was fortunate.
It was funny tonight, because i was sitting next to a father with his early teen daughter, and I can remember when I did the same with my oldest 20 years ago. I sent her a text message, and she listened to the soundtrack while I went to the production… A very neat experience.
I’ve been involved in northern virginia in dramatic productions when the McLean stake used to put them on, but productions are increasingly rare due to ‘correlation’ and budgetary control by SLC. I’ve thought it would be cool to put on “Les Mis” (now that it’s off broadway, regional groups can hire the book), but then again, Fantine’s descent into prostitution, the Thenardiers, “Drink with Me”, “Here’s to witty girls who went to our beds…” — probably not exactly acceptable in an LDS setting. So no, probably not.
I thought about the fact that I am repeating Les Mis, and each time I see it I learn something and feel a very strong spirit. My thinking led me to the temple endowment, and how we seek and often find spirituality thereby. But i have to say, the message of Les Mis, the ultimate humility and goodness of Jean Valjean — his redemption by the priest — the idea that defective people such as Fantine, Eponine, and Valjean do good things and are sanctified thereby, and really good people like Javert do really bad things when justice is not tempered with mercy. I was in tears most of the performance, and left more uplifted and peaceful than I’ve felt in church or temple for a long time.
I absolutely love Les Mis, and one of my favorite people in the ward I just left mentioned Fantine once in a Gospel Doctrine class as a wonderful example of the Atonement and how he wished we all could be more like “that prostitute” than we tend to be. (I really, really love that man – a former Army chaplain and a great person.) The book and the movie touch me in exactly the same way you describe in this post, wayfarer – especially since the story highlights the God and Devil in each of us. I’m glad you could have this experience and that you shared it with us.
I love Les Mis, too! Read it about 8 times – half of those in French. It’s a staple for French classes, as well as for some English classes apparently! Javert is to me one of the best villains of all literature. He’s so focused on the letter of the law he cannot fathom the spirit of the law. He’s so focused on justice there is no room for mercy. And the scene with the bishop’s candlesticks is amazing, to see how kindness and belief in someone else’s rehabilitation leads to Valjean’s actual rehabilitation and change. Just FYI – the Utah Shakespearean Festival is showing it this summer in Cedar City. They won the Tony for regional theatre a few years ago and get top talent in for their shows. In fact, the first time I saw Ty Burrell (Phil Dunphy from Modern Family) on stage was there.
Javert represents the church to me. He is not so much of a villain, as representative the inflexibility of TBM rigidity. He is an archetype. He meant well, but was constrained by exact obedience to he law. Yes, specifically the administrative “judges in Israel” arm of the church. I agree. I can’t stand musicals really, but I have always had a soft spot for Les Mis. Someone said to me, “people only know one song from it,” and I said, “That’s not the point, it’s a great show overall”. I’m not really into musicals normally, but I have fond memories of my parents taking me to Les Miserables eons ago at the Kennedy Center in Wash DC when I was a teenager. Wow, I was really impressed at the time. Makes me want to read the book or see if a version is available on DVD. Thanks for sharing the insights Wayfarer, very cool.
Les Mis is a family favorite over here. Our kids theater company put on the School version a couple years ago. The school version omits many of the more concerning points. They do present Fantine’s prostitution, but it is necessary to the story and redemption plot. For years I held Javier and Valjean in their separate corners, but last year I had a new thought. I believe they represent the human struggle in all of us. We each carry them in our hearts and depending on the circumstances we invoke that side for the moment. At times the letter of the law overrides and if it goes to long or to far the world (any world, not just church) becomes crushed under judgement. On the other hand we also are as noble as Valjean. We reach out, we forgive, we seek a higher path. Like Valjean we sometimes find it better to hide for the safety of others.
I think the greatest test for me is to find the Valjean in me and allow myself to forgive and set free the Javier in me and in the world around me. And in that desire I have a long way to go.
I can’t wait to see the musical movie that is being made.
There is a very good film version that stars Liam Neeson as Valjean. I recommend it highly. Old-Timer wrote:There is a very good film version that stars Liam Neeson as Valjean. I recommend it highly.
Yes, I’ve seen it. I was very moved when the priest forgives him for stealing. It is then we see him at a true turning point.
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