THE MUSICAL
Les Misérables originally opened in 1980 at the Palais des Sports in Paris for a projected eight-week season; such was its success that it actually ran for four months. In 1982, English producer Cameron Mackintosh began work on an English language version, with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. The new English show opened in London on 8 October 1985, at the Barbican Theatre, London. In December 1985 it transferred to the Palace Theatre, and moved again in 2004 to the Queen's Theatre. It opened on Broadway in March 1987, The musical won 6 Tony Awards, among which for Best Musical in that year. It ran at the Imperial Theatre until May 2003.

Read and excellent synopsis, with lyrics and photos, at the Official Les Mis website.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION: Inspector Javert
In his fanatical devotion to duty and his lack of compassion, Javert represents a punitive, vengeful form of justice. Javert is so obsessed with enforcing laws and morals that he does not realize he is living by mistaken assumptions. Although Javert is such a stern and inflexible character that it is hard to sympathize with him, he lives with the shame of knowing that his own humble upbringing is not so different from the backgrounds of the men he pursues. Javert serves as Valjean's nemesis throughout the story, continually threatening to expose his past and bring him under the control of the law. Javert's flaw, however, is that he never stops to question whether the laws themselves are just. When Valjean finally proves to Javert that a man is not necessarily evil just because the law says he is, Javert is incapable of reconciling this new knowledge with his beliefs. Suicide is the ultimate solution to his dilemma.

Read theatregoers' comments about Philip Quast's Javert (Source: Londonlesmis website)

MUSICAL NUMBERS (as from the original programme)
ACT ONE
Prologue - The Company
Soliloquy - Valjean
At the End of the Day - Unemployed & factoy workers
I Dreamed a Dream - Fantine
Lovely Ladies - Ladies & clients
Who Am I? - Valjean
Come to Me - Fantine & Valjean
Castle on a Cloud - Young Cosette
Master of the House - Thenardier, his wife & customers
Thénardier Waltz - M. & Mme Thénardier, Valjean
Look Down - Gavroche & the beggars
Stars - Javert
Red and Black  - Enjolras, Marius & the students
Do You Hear the People Sing? - Enjolras, the students & citizens
In My Life - Cosette, Valjean, Marius & Eponine
A Heart Full of Love - Cosette, Marius & Eponine
One Day More - The Company

ACT TWO
On My Own - Eponine
A Little Fall of Rain - Eponine & Marius
Drink With Me to Days Gone by - Grantaire, students & women
Bring Him Home - Valjean
Dog Eats Dog - Thénardier
Soliloquy - Javert
Turning - Women
Empty Chairs at Empty Tables - Marius
Wedding Chorale - Guests
Beggars at the Feast - M. & Mme Thénardier
Finale - The Company