[Starring] Henry Ainley
A melodrama by Patrick Riddell, based on the famous story by Victor Hugo
With music specially composed by Robert Chignell
...in which Henry Ainley plays the part of 'Valjean', Baliol Holloway is 'Javert' and the story-teller is Leo Genn (by permission of Godfrey Tearle)
The play produced by John Cheatle
Jean Valjean, after spending many years in the galleys for a petty theft, is released and after spiritual redemption by the Bishop of Dauphine, changes his name and becomes wealthy and philanthropic.
In previous instalments you have heard how, endlessly persecuted by the brutal Javert, an Inspector of Police who was once a slave-master of the galleys, Valjean is hounded from town to town in France with little Cosette, a child whom he has adopted.
Last week Valjean and Cosette found safety in a convent near Paris where Valjean was appointed assistant gardener, and into which Cosette entered for schooling.
Today's instalment takes place eleven years later in the Paris of 1832, when the Republicans are preparing to man the barricades. Cosette is now fully grown and beautiful - facts which lead to the strange turn the story takes this week.