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Les Miserables - School Edition, performed by Taunton School Pupils.

A chain gang is working in the scorching sun in Toulon, France, in 1815. Javert enters to tell one of the prisoners, Jean Valjean, that his parole is about to begin. Valjean has been in prison for five years for stealing a loaf of bread - and for 14 more years for attempting to escape. Javert reminds him that he will always be marked as a thief by the yellow ticket of leave that he must carry with him in the future. Valjean explains that he only stole the loaf of bread because his sister's child was near death and his family was starving. Javert warns that he intends to keep his eye on Valjean in the future, waiting for him to break the law again.

Valjean expresses his joy at being free. Although he will never forgive his jailers or forget the wrong done to him, he plans to start a new life. However, he quickly learns that because he is a branded as a thief, he cannot make a living or find a place to stay. He discovers that to a paroled man, the outside world is little more than another kind of jail. He sees the law as having cursed his life.

In the town of Digne, a saintly Bishop allows Valjean to stay in his house overnight. The bitter Valjean steals some silver from the Bishop and is questioned by constables. Valjean lies and says the Bishop gave him the silver. The Bishop not only backs up his lie, but gives him two silver candlesticks as well, asking that he use the silver to become an honest man. Valjean is   overwhelmed by the Bishop's kindness. He realises the Bishop has given him a chance to reclaim his soul. He decides to tear up his yellow ticket of leave that is his link to his life in prison and begin a new life with a new identity.

For Tickets please contact 01823 349200 or email enquiries@tauntonschool.co.uk

 

Performed entirely by students

A muscial by ALAIN BOUBLIL and CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHONBERG (50%, 50%)

Based on the novel by VICTOR HUGO (50%)

Music by CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHONBERG (50%)

Lyrics by HERBERT KRETZMER (50%)

Original French text by ALAIN BOUBLIL and JEAN-MARC NATEL (50%)

Additional Material by JAMES FENTON (50%)

Orchestrations by JOHN CAMERON (50%)

Original London production directed and adapted by TREVOR NUNN and JOHN CAIRD (50%)

Original London production by CAMERON MACKINTOSH and THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY (50%)

School Edition specially adapted and licensed by JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL and CAMERON MACKINTOSH (OVERSEAS) LIMITED (25%)