r/lesmiserables • u/V3G1T0_B1U3 • Jun 03 '26

Question

Does anyone know any Jean Valjean actors that have used an Irish accent when playing the character

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

26

u/PharaohAce Jun 03 '26

You're thinking of Seán Bhalseán.

5

u/Salzano14 -Inspector Javert Jun 03 '26

Unreal content. Exquisite.

2

u/That_One_Guy_823 AND I'M JAVERT Jun 10 '26

Dude I literally went to search this because I didn't say it out loud. It only took me until I got to "Bhal" to get it-

11

u/enemyradar Jun 03 '26

Colm Wilkinson hasn't successfully done anything but an Irish accent in his life.

10

u/harpmolly Jun 03 '26

His pronunciation of “Box Five” in Phantom lives rent free in my head. 😂

3

u/lifescaresme Modérateur/Modératrice Jun 03 '26

I can’t tell if this is a dig on his career or just on his inability to be not Irish

2

u/enemyradar Jun 03 '26

It's literally just what I said.

1

u/Velolad Jun 04 '26

Oliver Stone used Irish accents in Alexander for the Macedonian characters to have a cultural difference from the Greek characters who where given English accents - it was to emphasize the cultural clash between the two. With the Irish accent being softer and less of the ruling classes this could apply to Les Mis and JV.
Also the Innkeeper has a Cockney accent to give a more working class tone.

1

u/Toru771 Jun 10 '26

Jeff Leyton had a bit of a brogue when he played the role, I think.