Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
BBC Radio 4: Women's Hour Serial
This dramatisation of Victor Hugo's classic from 1862 is an epic story of social injustice, set in mid-18th century France. Memorable scenes include the Battle of Waterloo and Jean Valjean's flight through the Paris sewers.
When Jean Valjean is released on parole, after 19 years hard labour for stealing a loaf of bread, the authorities little doubt he'll soon be back. But Valjean's life takes a remarkable turn, although his past as prisoner 24601 is always there to dog him.
Victor Hugo's vast, sweeping novel has a bit of everything: a man-hunt - the relentless pursuit of Valjean by Inspector Javert; revolution - students and workers manning the barricades against the state; romance - the star-crossed lovers Marius and Cosette; and Hugo's love affair with Paris itself.
Dramatisation in 25 parts by Sebastian Baczkiewicz and Lin Coghlan of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel, "Les Misérables".
Roger Allam played Javert in the original musical at the Barbican, 1985
Joss Ackland .......................... Victor Hugo
Roger Allam .......................... Jean Valjean
David Schofield .................. Inspector Javert
Emily Bruni ............................... Fantine
Sophie Shad ........................ Young Cosette
Lucy Whybrow .............................. Cosette
David De Keyser ..................... Bishop Myriel
Henry Goodman ......................... Thenardier
Jane Whittenshaw ................... Mme Thenardier
Jonathan Forbes ............................ Marius
Carl Prekopp .......................... Combeferre
Patsy Palmer .............................. Eponine
Annette Badland ........................ Toussaint
Leslie Phillips ............. Monsieur Gillenormand
Shuna Snow ....................... Mme Gillenormand
Carolyn Pickles ................... Sister Simplice
Sean Baker ........................... Fauchelevant
Peter Darney ............................. Enjolras
Ewan Bailey ............................ Grantaire
Helen Longworth ............................ Azelma
Timothy Bateson ........................... Maboeuf
Marlene Sidaway ...................... Mme Magloire
Daniel Hambridge .......................... Gervais
Elizabeth Bennett ................... Mme Victurien
Sarah Paul ............................... Fricasse
Struan Rodger ......................... Cochepaille
Leagh Conwell ............................ Gavroche
Other parts played by Christopher Godwin, Daniel Hambridge, ???
Music by Dominic Fitzgerald
Directed by Sally Avens (first 20 episodes); Jeremy Mortimer (last 5 episodes)
Produced by Jeremy Mortimer
Recorded at BBC Broadcasting House, London W1
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*** Omnibus 1 ***
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1) Part 1 of 25 (Monday 31st December 2001 @ 10:45 a.m.)
It is France, 29th September 1817. Jean Valjean is finally released from prison after 19 years. Brutalised by his incarceration, he steals
from the kind Bishop of Digne.
2) Part 2 of 25 (Tuesday 1st January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Jean Valjean continues to struggle with his demons, has broken the terms of his parole, and is on the run while Fantine heads for Montreuil - minus her daughter.
3) Part 3 of 25 (Wednesday 2nd January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Jean Valjean is now known as Monsieur Madeleine and has risen to be mayor of Montreuil sur Mer. But for Fantine it's a town full of cruelty.
4) Part 4 of 25 (Thursday 3rd January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Inspector Javert breaks the news to Monsieur Madeleine that Jean Valjean has been arrested and sent for trial in Arras.
5) Part 5 of 25 (Friday 4th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
The mayor of Montreuil sur Mer makes an astonishing declaration in the courtroom at Arras.
Replies
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*** Omnibus 5 ***
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21) Part 21 of 25 (Monday 28th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Jean Valjean again puts his life into Javert's hands, but first he insists the wounded Marius to be returned to his grandfather. Will Javert
show compassion?
22) Part 22 of 25 (Tuesday 29th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Marius recovers slowly and suffers terrible nightmares. Meanwhile Cosette is convinced he has died at the barricades.
23) Part 23 of 25 (Wednesday 30th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Marius and Cosette's wedding day arrives. An unpleasant surprise is in store as Thenardier sees a chance for blackmail and waits
for them outside the church.
24) Part 24 of 25 (Thursday 31st January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Jean Valjean, tortured by memories, feels he must tell Marius about his criminal past. Thenardier prepares his blackmail plans.
25) Part 25 of 25 (Friday 1st February 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Thenardier attempts to blackmail Marius. Meanwhile, Jean Valjean is dying.
Hugo,Victor - Les Miserables - Omnibus 5 - Parts 21 to 25.mp3
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*** Omnibus 4 ***
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16) Part 16 of 25 (Monday 21st January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Marius tries to persuade his grandfather to let him marry Cosette.
17) Part 17 of 25 (Tuesday 22nd January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Paris is on the brink of revolution and Marius and his friends are determined to play a part.
18) Part 18 of 25 (Wednesday 23rd January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Valjean joins Marius and his friends on the barricades as the fighting intensifies.
19) Part 19 of 25 (Thursday 24th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
The army is determined to put down the student uprising; and Marius and his friends pay dearly for their part in it.
20) Part 20 of 25 (Friday 25th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Valjean must find his way through the maze of the Paris sewer system if he is to save Marius' life.
Hugo,Victor - Les Miserables - Omnibus 4 - Parts 16 to 20.mp3
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*** Omnibus 3 ***
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11) Part 11 of 25 (Monday 14th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Marius is walking in the Luxembourg Gardens when he catches sight of Cosette - and is smitten! But Valjean is nervous.
12) Part 12 of 25 (Tuesday 15th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Unknowingly Cosette comes back into Marius' life as he watches the scheming Thenardiers hatch a plot to catch Jean Valjean. But
she's caught up in a plot to rob Valjean.
13) Part 13 of 25 (Wednesday 16th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Marius knows he need only fire a pistol to bring Javert and his men to save Cosette's father.
14) Part 14 of 25 (Thursday 17th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Eponine has discovered where Cosette lives - will she tell Marius?
15) Part 15 of 25 (Friday 18th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
With love in the air at the rue Plumet, Valjean's obsession with secrecy becomes more apparent.
Hugo,Victor - Les Miserables - Omnibus 3 - Parts 11 to 15.mp3
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*** Omnibus 2 ***
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6) Part 6 of 25 (Monday 7th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Jean Valjean is determined to rescue Fantine's child from a life of misery with the Thenardiers.
7) Part 7 of 25 (Tuesday 8th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Jean and Cosette start a new life in Paris. But before long, Valjean's past catches up with him.
8) Part 8 of 25 (Wednesday 9th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
A plan to smuggle Jean Valjean out of the convent hits a snag as he ends up six feet under.
9) Part 9 of 25 (Thursday 10th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
When a young law student learns of his father's bravery on the battlefield of Waterloo, he has to reassess his whole life.
10) Part 10 of 25 (Friday 11th January 2002 @ 10:45 a.m.)
Once again, Jean Valjean has to start a new life and confronts the possibility of leaving the safety of the convent.
Hugo,Victor - Les Miserables - Omnibus 2 - Parts 6 to 10.mp3