ACT ONE
PROLOGUE: 1815, DIGNE
Jean Valjean, released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang,
finds that the yellow ticket-of-leave he must, by law, display
condemns him to be an outcast. Only the saintly Bishop of Digne
treats him kindly and Valjean, embittered by years of hardship,
repays him by stealing some silver. Valjean is caught and brought
back by the police and is astonished when the Bishop lies to the
police to save him, also giving him two precious candlesticks.
Valjean decides to start his life anew.
1823, MONTREUIIL-SUR-MER
Eight years have passed and Valjean, having broke…
