Living the Story, Creating the Character

With all its spectacular sets, lights and costumes, Les Misérables would be nothing without the work of the actors bringing the characters to vivid life for the audience every night.

Colm Wilkinson

Jean Valjean, the convict on the run whose story is the driving force of Les Misérables, was originated in London and the United States by Irish born actor Colm Wilkinson.

"It's as if I've been rehearsing for this one part all my life," says Wilkinson, "I knew what this man was about..."

"I just don't see the barriers between myself and Valjean... He's a very emotional man, and so am I. He really cares about people, about being humane in the fullest sense of the word. And he lives out a story of self - redemption, which I believe is both possible and admirable..."

"The points that Hugo made are as valid and as valuable as they were 100 years ago - man's inhumanity to man, in a society which exists on two levels, the downtrodden and the powerful. It's deeply spiritual, and it gives hope..."

Terrence Mann

In the Broadway production of Les Misérables the part of the relentless police inspector, Javert, who pursues Valjean through the years, was originally played by Terrence Mann.

"He's the dark force, the nemesis in the piece," says Mann, "He believes in two things - the Law and God, God and the Law. And there is no veering from that path. It is a straight line, very carefully plotted out, specifically designed by God and society."

"That's the way he lives his life, in as severe a course as possible. And if you stray from that, you go to hell, or go to jail. If you stay on that path, you'll be rewarded - it's very simple."

"The character is not bad... it's between right and wrong, not really between good and evil. He believes what he is doing is in the name of God, Law and order..."

"This character is quiet, he's severe and then he just STRIKES like a shark moving through the water..."