Marius

1810 - ?

I have to admit that I originally found Marius rather annoying. He was a little too “pretty” for my liking. (If you know what I mean…) However, after reading the novel and having listened to the CSR, my opinion was well and truly changed. The whole barricade section in the novel was a real turning point for me, anyway…

“ Courfeyrac was felled by another man and called for help. The biggest of all the attackers, a giant of a man, bore down with his bayonet on Gavroche. Raising Javert’s heavy musket, the boy took aim and pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. Javert had not loaded the musket. The Municipal Guardsmen laughed and thrust at the youngster with his bayonet.

But before the bayonet could reach Gavroche the musket fell from the man’s hands and he himself fell backwards with a bullet in his forehead. A second bullet took the man assailing Courfeyrac in his chest and laid him low.
Marius had entered the stronghold.”

In my mind there has only been one deifinitive Marius as far as recordings go and that is Michael Ball. He portrays all the aspects of Marius superbly, from his giddy love struck moments to those of a more serious nature. I love the way he says ‘Éponine what’s wrong, I feel there’s something wet upon your hair. Éponine you’re hurt, you need some help. Oh God it’s everywhere.’

Best Scene ~ It’s a toss up between “Red and Black” and on the barricades.

Best Line(s) ~ ‘Hey little boy what’s this I see, God Éponine the things you do!” I love the way Michael Ball sings these lines. Another set of lines that I love are at the wedding. The whole bit with the Thénardiers from ‘No Baron de Thénard, the circles I move in are humbler by far.’ We get to see another side to Marius here – action Marius!!

Best Song ~ “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” because it never fails to bring a lump to the throat!

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