Hair Facts: Fantine's Wig

Brisbane, Australia--Lorna Cobbold, the company manager at LES MISERABLES in Brisbane, the show's last stop prior to its Asian tour, which will kick off at The Theatre at Solaire in Manila, Philippines, next Friday, March 11, gave BroadwayWorld.com a backstage tour, where we bumped into one of the most iconic hairpieces in the show, Fantine's long golden blonde wig.

In Victor Hugo's novel, which inspired the musical, Fantine is a young working-class French woman who gets pregnant by a rich student, Felix Tholomyes. However, Fantine is left alone to raise her child, Cosette.

Fantine is forced by circumstances to become a prostitute--selling her hair and front teeth--to support her daughter, who lives with a pair of greedy innkeepers, the Thenardiers.

Ms Cobbold says, "Everyone in the cast of LES MISERABLES wears wigs regardless if their real hair is right for their roles. Doing so lessens preparation time for the show, as the wigs are styled ahead of time.

"The wigs are made of human hair, and those of Fantine's were bought from a fan who only sold it after being assured it will be used by the character."

In the musical number "Lovely Ladies," where Fantine sells her hair, she hides behind a group of ensemble actors who help her remove her long golden blonde wig and replace it with a short wig. Off stage, a wig dresser will pin the hairpiece in place after the musical number.

Rachelle Ann Go, a Filipino singer and theater actress, will play Fantine in Manila.

For tickets to LES MISERABLES in Manila, visit TicketWorld.com.ph.

Photo: Oliver Oliveros

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