Nathan Bois McDonald plays Marius en Francais in Les Miserables in Quebec June/July/August, 2026

 

This is Marius as a young man in the musical Les Miserables based on the novel of the same name written by Victor Hugo in 1862.

    I have the good fortune to have two fine sons and one daughter-in-law wherein two have raised three sons who contribute significantly in digital arts, theatrical arts and robotic engineering (which may lead to a career practicing physician a number of years from now). They are Benjamin 25, Nathan 23, Thomas 18; and there's me who is a proud parent/grandparent at 85 this September. 

    Terryl and I will see Nathan in the role of Marius on June 21 in Montreal when I will have re-read the book and be wearing my puffy arm shirt and a poor-boy cap.

Nathan in his regular clothes

I thought a quote from Hugo's writing would be appropriate at this point, but first I'll summarize that which I have recently read about our man Marius.

    After years of hard times where Marius is as poor as a church mouse he now has two black suits, three white shirts and has been called to the Bar and earns 700 francs a year. His food, lodging and clothing cost 650 francs annually and now here's Victor Hugo's work..."This left him with 50 francs. He was rich...He had undergone everything, in the shape of privation; he had done everything except get into debt. Rather than borrow, he did not eat."

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Marius as a young man takes a daily walk and always sees an older man and an attractive young woman. He always keeps his distance and watches them in conversation while they sit on a favourite park bench.

    After several daily tours Marius begins to imagine meeting them on some future walk in the park; the exact same walk that precedes his view of the pretty young lady and her much older companion sitting on the same park bench. Weeks passed where Marius has not been seen by the young lady but her beauty has captured his heart and imagination. However on the day he decided he would say hello, when he sighted the park bench the couple were nowhere to be seen.

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 I'm looking into Victor Hugo's characterization of other leads in Les Miserables with great interest. Jean Valjean is the main person in his book along with many others that captured the hearts and minds of book lovers in the 1800's and continues to deserve adoration from readers, theatre and music lovers in the 21st century around the world. 

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