LES MISERABLES Character Card: THE THENARDIERS

ON STAGE	ON SCREEN
M. THENARDIER Yvan Dautin, 1980 Original French Casts Alun Armstrong, 1985 London Musical and 10th Anniversary Concert Leo Burmester, 1987 Broadway Musical Graeme Campbell, 1989 Original Canadian Cast Laurent Gendron, 1991 Paris Revival Paul de Leeuw, 1991 Original Dutch Cast Joan Crosas, 1992 Original Spanish Cast Gary Beach, 2006 Broadway Revival Jean-Raymond Châles, 2008 Québec City Production Michael McCormick, 2008 Hollywood Bowl Concert Carlo Boszhard, 2008-2009 Dutch Revival Matt Lucas, 25th Anniversary Concert Tomasz Steciuk, 2010 Musical Theatre Roma, Poland Michael Kostroff, Current 25th Anniversary US Tour 2011 Enrique R. del Portal, Current Spanish 25th Anniversary Production Cast MME. THENARDIER Marie-France Roussel, 1980 Original French Casts & 1991 Paris Revival Susan Jane Tanner, 1985 London Musical Jennifer Butt, 1987 Broadway Musical Janelle Hutchison, 1989 Original Canadian Cast Simone Kleinsma, 1991 Dutch Cast Connie Philp, 1992 Original Spanish Cast Jenny Galloway, 10th Anniversary Concert, 2006 Broadway Revival and 25th Anniversary Concert Kathleen Fortin, 2008 Québec City Production Ruth Williamson, 2008 Hollywood Bowl Concert Marjolein Algera, 2008-2009 Dutch Revival Cast Anna Dzionek, 2010 Musical Theatre Roma, Poland Shawna Hamic, Current 25th Anniversary US Tour 2011 Katy Secombe, Current London Tour Eva Diago, Current Spanish 25th Anniversary Production Cast	About The Thenardiers: Thenardier and his spouse, Madame Thenardier, are the corrupt owners of an inn situated in the town of Montfermeil ("Master of the House"). They have a daughter, Eponine, whom they indulge all the while casting aside Cosette and assigning the young girl to heavy labor. Ever the con artists, The Thenardiers haggle for a higher fee ("The Bargain / The Waltz of Treachery") when Valjean offers to pay for Cosette. Later, the Innkeepers target the two again when Thenardier recognizes the now-affluent Valjean as being the man who took Cosette. In the aftermath of the barricade battle, Thenardier travels the sewers looting bodies ("Dog Eat Dog"). Disguised as the Baron and Baroness du Thénard, The Thenardiers crash Marius and Cosette's wedding where they try - and fail - to convince Marius that Valjean is a murderer. The newlyweds leave and the Thenardiers continue to enjoy the festivities ("Beggars at the Feast").

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About Helena: Helena played Mrs. Lovett in the 2007 film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD, opposite Johnny Depp as the title character. She also starred in films such as A Room With a View, Fight Club, Big Fish, Planet of the Apes, Corpse Bride and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dark Shadows, and the Harry Potter film series. A two-time Academy Award nominee for her performances in The Wings of the Dove and The King's Speech, Bonham Carter's acting has been further recognised with six Golden Globe nominations, an International Emmy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2012 New Year Honours for services to drama, and received the award from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 22 February 2012

THE THENARDIERS' MUSIC

At the End of the Day (mentioned only)

While they do not appear in this song, Fantine mentions them by saying that Cosette lives with an innkeeper and his wife (referring to the Thenardiers). The couple is also briefly mentioned by a woman reading a note from them to Fantine, telling that Cosette is very sick and needs money for a doctor (this being a lie to trick her into giving them more money.) Known as La Journée est finie in the French original version and as Quand un jour est passé in the 1991 revival.

Castle on a Cloud (Madame Thénardier only)

A song of Cosette's dreams of heaven, which is quickly interrupted by Madame Thénardier to make her fetch a bucket of water. Known as Une poupée dans la vitrine or Mon Prince au Chemin in the successive French versions.

Master of the House

A song sung by both of the Thénardiers, along with his drunken customers singing how well it is to have power in the pub. Known as La Devise du Cabaretier in the original French version, then as Maître Thénardier in the 1991 version.

The Thénardier Waltz of Treachery

Where the duo repeatedly try to swindle as much money as they can from Valjean in exchange for Cosette. Known as La Valse de la Fourberie then as La Transaction in the various French version.

Look Down (non-sing)

Though not singing, in this scene they try to trick people into charitable donations for their "child" which is actually a loaf of bread in a blanket while Gavroche sings about them. Known as Donnez, Donnez in the original French version, or Bonjour, Paris in the 1991 version.

The Robbery/Javert's Intervention

Thénardier approaches Valjean, asking for donations for the fake child seen in Look Down. Thénardier recognizes Valjean and assaults him before Javert intervenes.

The Attack on Rue Plumet (Thénardier only)

Known simply as Rue Plumet in the original French version, and later as Le casse de la Rue Plumet. Thénardier rounds up his gang as they attempt to rob Valjean's home as he blames his poverty on him. Éponine stops them from doing so and they are forced to retreat.

One Day More

Though small, the two appear every now and then telling how they'll simply hide in The Shadows, wait things out, and pick the pockets of the corpses when they're the only ones left. Known as Demain in the original French version and as Le Grand Jour in the 1991 version.

The Sewers/Dog Eats Dog (Thénardier only)

Thénardier sings to himself in the sewers as he fingers through the bodies of the students. One of the show's darkest songs, it is known as Fureurs Cannibales in the 1991 French version.

Beggars at the Feast

In an ironic twist, the Thénardiers have sunk from masters of the house to being beggars at a feast, and they are not complaining. They have become rich off of their earnings of the stealing and other villainous acts they have committed. They sing how joyful it is to simply sneak into parties and chat with the upper crust of society, and gloat about their survival; once again, however, there is a certain irony, because they are the very last of the remaining Thénardiers, since their own children have been killed during the rebellion. Known as Mendiants à la Fête in the French revival.