Cosette

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Cosette

Biographical information
Also Known As	Ursule The Lark Mademoiselle Lanoire Euphrasie
Gender	Female
Eye Color	Blue
Hair color	Brunette (novel) Blond (film)
Born	1815
Family	Félix Tholomyès (father) Fantine (mother) Jean Valjean (adopted father)
Relationships	Marius Pontmercy (husband)
Behind the scenes
Portrayer	Fabienne Guyon Rebecca Caine Judy Kuhn Kymberley Huffman Marie Zamora Katie Hall Lucie Jones Claire Danes Virginie Ledoyen Samantha Dorsey Emilie Fleming Amanda Seyfried Samantha Hill Gina Beck Lisa-Anne Wood Paulina Janczak

Cosette is the main deuteragonist in the novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. She is the illegitimate daughter of Fantine and Félix Tholomyès. Her birth name is Euphrasie but she is referred to throughout her life as "Cosette." As a child, she is left with the Thenardiers and their children, who horribly abuse her while indulging their own young daughters, Éponine and Azelma. On Christmas of 1823, Cosette is adopted (and saved) by Jean Valjean. Later she grows into a beautiful teenager and marries Marius Pontmercy near the end of the story.

Novel

Childhood in Montfermeil

As a toddler, Cosette's mother Fantine left her with the Thénardiers and gives them money to look after her. Éponine and Azelma once played with Cosette when they first met as toddlers, but they become cruel to her after following their parents' example of abusing her. They are unkind to her and tease her and at times ignore her completely.

While Fantine is in the hospital, Jean Valjean (by then known as Monsieur Madeleine) promises her to get and retrieve Cosette for her, but Fantine dies before she sees her beloved daughter again. However, Valjean is determined to find and adopt Cosette.

On Christmas Eve, as Cosette goes to the woods to fetch a pail of water, Valjean sees her. He helps her and accompanies her back in the inn. He sees how Éponine and Azelma are unkind to her, when they go to their mother and point at Cosette for "stealing" their doll. After seeing this, he leaves the inn for a while to buy a brand new expensive doll that costs about 30 francs for Éponine.

Later that night, Cosette naively places her wooden shoe before the fireplace next to Éponine and Azelma's shoes in expectation of receiving something from Father Christmas, though she knows that Father Christmas always ignores her. Valjean anonymously places a gold Louis coin in her shoe.

HighResolutioncosette — Young Cosette as she appears in the 2012 film

On Christmas Day, Valjean informs the Thénardiers that the real reason he is at the inn is because he wants to take Cosette with him. Mme. Thénardier immediately agrees to this, but M. Thénardier pretends to have adoration for Cosette and acts reluctant to give her up. Valjean then offers them 1,500 francs, settling all of Fantine's debts, and he and Cosette leave the inn. However, Thénardier tries to swindle more money out of Valjean by running after them and telling Valjean that he has changed his mind and how he does not want to give Cosette away.

He informs Valjean that Cosette's mother had entrusted her to their care and that he cannot release Cosette to a stranger without a note from her mother. Valjean, agreeing with him, hands him a letter signed by Fantine. Thénardier then attempts to order Valjean to either return Cosette or pay a thousand crowns, but Valjean ignores him and leaves with Cosette.

Life after the Thénardiers

Valjean takes Cosette directly to Paris. They lodge at Gorbeau House, and Valjean begins giving her a basic education. When Javert discovers Valjean's whereabouts, Valjean and Cosette are forced to escape. After climbing over a wall, they soon find themselves in the Petit-Picpus Convent. The gardener Fauchelevant, who was once rescued by Valjean in Montreuil-sur-Mer, recognizes "Monsieur Madeleine" and is eager to help him. Valjean poses as Fauchelevant's brother, assuming that name for Cosette and himself, and the two live peacefully in the convent for many years. Valjean works with Fauchelevent while Cosette is educated. Over time, she appears to have no recollection of her childhood before arriving at the convent. She leaves the convent at the age of fifteen. It is here Cosette receives her unofficial surname. Her original surname is Tholomyès.

Relationship with Marius

Katie-Hall-as-Cosette — Katie Hall's Cosette on the West End 2010

Cosette and Marius first met at Luxembourg Gardens. Now Cosette is very beautiful, with chestnut (châtain) hair and blue eyes. Both Marius and Cosette fall in love with each other when their eyes meet (although this only happens after constantly seeing each other over the course of several months). When Valjean takes notice of Marius’ affections, he sees Marius as a coward for not confronting him and seeking approval to court her. He also fears losing Cosette, who has become the source of his happiness, to Marius. After Marius discovers their address, Valjean then takes Cosette away from the Luxembourg Gardens and moves to another house, in which he thought Marius was a hired spy by Javert.

Cosette&valjean — "Cosette seated herself on Valjean's knees."

Marius spots Cosette again during a charitable visit she and Valjean make to the Thénardiers at Gorbeau House, directly next door to Marius. He asks Éponine to find her new address for him, and she reluctantly agrees. After many weeks, Éponine takes Marius to Cosette’s new home. Marius idly watches Cosette for a few nights before approaching her. When Cosette and Marius finally meet again in Cosette's garden, they confess their love for each other and spend the rest of their lives together.

Life after Valjean

Marius and Cosette get married. The next morning, Valjean tells Marius of his criminal history. This leads Marius to believe Valjean is dangerous, and asks him to leave him and Cosette. Valjean wishes not to be permanently separated from Cosette, so Marius grants him a visit every evening. But slowly, he makes it clear that Valjean is not wanted in the house, so Valjean leaves and never comes back. When Marius finds out through M. Thénardier that Valjean had saved him, Marius and Cosette go to Valjean, now on his deathbed. Valjean then shares the last minutes of his life with Marius and Cosette, while Cosette learns from Valjean about her past and her mother Fantine.

Musical

Act I

Child

Come to Me / Fantine's Death (silent, 2012 film only)
Castle on a Cloud
The Well Scene
The Bargain/The Thénardier Waltz of Treachery
Suddenly (silent, 2012 film only)
The Convent (silent, 2012 film only

Adolescent

The Robbery/Javert's Intervention (silent)
I Saw Him Once (1985 cast only)
Rue Plumet – In My Life
A Heart Full of Love
The Attack on Rue Plumet
One Day More

Act II

List of Portrayers

Musical

Child

Maryse Cédolin – Original French Concept Album
Sylvie Camacho, Priscilla Patron – Original Paris stage cast
Zoë Hart, Jayne O'Mahony, Joanne Woodcock – Original London cast
Donna Vivino – Original Broadway cast
Heather Brown, Niki Holt, Ilana Miller – Original Canadian cast
Nadia Henry, Samantha Ladak – 1987 Glasgow cast (also played Young Éponine)
Lauren Brzozowski, Sophie Stone – 1988 1st USA Tour
Tori Cwiklinski, Anna Seston – 1988 2nd USA tour
Eugenia Andysiak, Basia Bukoski – 1989, Musical Theatre in Gdynia (also played Young Éponine)
Marissa Dunlop – Complete Symphonic Recording
Momoko Nakamura – Original Japanese Cast
Josie Dhillon, Nicolette Reed – 1988 West End production
Kazuko Takahashi, Natsumi Yoshida –1989/1990 Japanese tour
Laura Margrethe Madsen – 1989 Vienna tour
Jenalyn Eng, Katya Farsons, Brooke Osadchin, Sara Palacios – 1989 Broadway production
Taylor Ferlatte, Meredith McDonald – 1990 Fredericton cast
Jennifer Bujari, Katie Song – 1990 Broadway production
Audrey Boitel, Karine Debec, Aurélie Lebarbé – 1991 Paris revival
Jessica Green, Samantha Manning – 1991 Broadway production
Marianne Ahlers, Wilhelmina Joosten – 1991 Dutch Cast
Madison Higgins, Katie Lee – 1992 Broadway production
Brittany Bradshaw, Crystal Tam – 1993/94 West End Production
Jessie Eaton, Isabella Peterson – 1993 Broadway
Naomi Inoue and Moa Wakahisa – 1994 Japanese Red Cast
Tsubacki Guchi and Chinatsu Kawa – 1994 Japanese Blue Cast
Juliana Cameron, Selena Smalls – 1995 Broadway
Hannah Chick – 10th Anniversary Concert (1995)
Lea Michele - 1995 -1998 Broadway
Charlotte Cottis-Griffith, Megan Siegel – 1996 Broadway
Jessica Vlaykov, Margaret Baldachin – 1996 Philadelphia tour
Teresa Acenas, Maria Ziegler – 1996 West End production
Alexandra Herkcenrathe, Megan Levine – 1997 West End production
Diana Tan – 1997 Florida cast
Chiyo Maki – 1997-1999 Japanese tour
Bersabhe Bulger, Celia Solomon – 1998 Toronto tour
Michelle Ekmekjan, Gabriella Panozo – 1998 West End production
Dorothée Mathieu – 1998 Québec cast
Natalie Green, Jordana Lay – 1998 Dover tour
Adrienne Lavigne – 1999 Antwerp Tour
Emily Rowan – 1999 Dublin Tour
Marissa Brigida Vives – 2000 Argentina, Bueno Aires Spain Tour
Stephanie Mikeo Cohen – 2000 US tour
Hannah Schembri – 2001 Malta tour
Mahta Desroaches, Kiana Rhiazi – 2001 Broadway production
Malena Perez – 2002 Commissioning Mexican scene
Shinju Masuyo Himura, Keori Uedi – 2003 Japanese Violet and Light Blue Cast
Sayuri Matsushita – 2003 Japanese Green and Orange Cast
Brianna Hisey, Corinne Leal – 2002 West End production
Johanna Chamberlain, Portia-Marie Corbett, Megan Siegel – 2003 West End production
Megan Dela Cruz, Janice Ritchie – 2004 West End Production
Maggie Day, Carolyn Runalls – 2005 West End Production
Sakuraku Miki – 2005 Japanese tour
Shireen Bragman, Alexis Taha – 2006 West End Production
Hunter Campbell – 2006 Washington DC tour
Tess Adams, Kylie Liya Goldstein, Carly Rose Sonenclar – 2006: Broadway revival
Mia Hirsch – 2006 Berlin cast
Sammy Bloom, Stephanie Tangir – 2006-2007 West End Production
Monica Byron, Gillian Smith – 2007 Broadway cast
Julia Adams, Jessica Zhang – 2007-2008 West End Production
Katherine Sleeth – 2008 Wichita Tour
Tanaz Gara, Madison Mojarab – 2008 Vancouver Youth Production
Madison Levy – 2008-2009 Hollywood Bowl Cast
Celeste Auld, Courtney Wright – 2009 West End Production
Kalie Naftzger – 2009 TexARTS production
Samara Clarke – 25^th anniversary UK tour
Mia Jenkins – 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2
Eléonore Cavey – 2009 Quebec tour
Greet Drika, Ima Rompa – 2008-2009 Dutch Revival cast
Laura Berry, Ava Thompson – 2009-2010 West End Production
Sofia Glover, Hannah Licata – 2009 St. John's cast
Sayuri Hamasaki – 2011 Japanese tour
Catalina Smith – 2010/11 Madrid cast
Kitagawa Mai, Kimura Aozora, Shimizu Sion – 2013 25th anniversary Japanese cast
Ardita Cays, Christina Fray, Gillian Simco, Erin Sinojmeri – 2010-2011 West End production
Isabelle Methven, Georgia Pemberton (2012) - West End Production
Isabelle Allen, Lois Ellington, Ashley Goldberg, Sarah Huttlestone – 2012 West End production
Sarah Rose Meldrin – 2011 Florida cast
Maja Kwiatkowska – 2010-11 Roma Theater in Warsaw
Erin Cearlock, Ava Della Pietra, Abbey Rose Gould – 2011: 25th Anniversary US Tour
Sarah B’Dacy, Eden Watts – 2012 US tour
Elise Blake, Annabel Parsons, Ellie Simmons – 2012 English Regional cast (also played Young Éponine)
Emmi Dawson, Jemima Eaton, Caoimhe Judd, Honey Harrison Maw – 2012 West End cast
Michelangela Basurto – 2012 Bologna tour
Scarlett Halton – RGS High Wycombe 2013 School Edition
Matilda Shapland, Eva Trodd – 2013/14 West End cast
Ella Ballentine, Saara Chaudry, Madison Oldroyd – 2013 Toronto cast
Angeli Negron, Mckayla Twiggs, Mia Sinclair Jenness – 2014 Broadway cast
Ana Pérez Segura, Martina Vidal, Chiruca Baez Seoane – 2013-2014 Los Miserables: Spanish Tour
Riley Samson – Lawrence Park CI's 2014 school edition
Sylvie Erskine, Ashley Goldberg, Lucy Simmonds – 2014/15 West End Cast
Lottie Mae O'Kill-Recall Studios May 2014 School Edition.Tunbridge Wells

Adolescent

Fabienne Guyon – Original French Concept Album, Original Paris stage cast
Rebecca Caine – Original London cast
Judy Kuhn – Original Broadway cast, 10th Anniversary Concert
Kymberley Huffman – Original Canadian cast
Madeline Herkenrath – 1987 Glasgow cast
Mila Van Weert – 1988 1st USA Tour
Kristen Basic – 1988 2nd USA tour
Ewa Świątek, Anna Widera - 1989, Musical Theatre in Gdynia
Tracy Shayne - Complete Symphonic Recording cast and 1988 Broadway
Yuki Saito, Kano Shibata and Honoka Suzuki - Original Japanese Cast
Mikiko Shiraki -1989-1991 Japanese tour
Mary Louise Clark - 1988 West End production
Morenike Fadayomi - 1989 Vienna tour
Jacquelyn Piro Donovan - 1989 Broadway production
Montana Loach – 1990 Fredericton cast
Melissa Anne Davis - 1990 Broadway production
Marie Zamora – 1991 Paris revival
Gretchen Kingsley - 1991 Broadway production
Joke de Kruijf - 1991 Dutch Cast
Jennifer Lee Andrews - 1992 Broadway production
Nicky Adams - 1993/94 West End Production
Kim Seun Yeung - 1993 Korean Highlights
Sarah E. Litzsinger - 1993 Broadway
Yuhko Miyamoto- 1994 Japanese Red Cast and 1994 Japanese Tour
Yasuko Sado - 1994 Japanese Blue Cast and 1994 Japanese Tour
Stephanie Waters - 1995 Broadway
Tamra Hayden - 1996 Broadway
Kate Fisher -1996 Philadelphia tour
Annalene Beechey - 1996-1998 West End production, 1997 Concert
Cathy Cogle - 1997 West End production
Iva Savidge – 1997 Florida cast
Hayami Yu, Risa Junna - 1997-1999 Japanese tour
Regan Thiel - 1998 Toronto tour
Katie Lengyell – 1998 Dover tour
Christeena Michelle Riggs - 1998 West End production
Nöelle Léonie Rey – 1998 Québec cast
Hilde Van Wesepoel, Sigrid van Coillie - 1999 Antwerp Tour
Poppy Tierney - 1999 Dublin Tour
Yumi Adachi, TOHKO, Takako Keiko Horiuchi - 2000-2001 Japanese tour
Tobi Foster - 2001 Broadway production
Nele-Liis Vaiksoo - 2001 Estonian Production
Claire Debono - 2001 Malta Tour
Silvia Luchetti – 2000 Argentina, Bueno Aires Spain Tour
Claudia Cota - 2002 Commissioning Mexican scene
Yuka Kohno - 2003 Japanese Violet and Light Blue Cast and 2003-2006 Japanese tour
Tamaki Kenmotsu - 2003 Japanese Green and Orange Cast and 2003-2006 Japanese tour
Rina Chinen - 2005 Japanese tour
Nishiura Kaori - 2005-2006 Japanese Tour
Sandra Turley - 2002 West End production
Helen French -2002, 2003 West End production
Julia Moller - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 West End Production
Sierra Boggess - 2006 Washington DC tour
Ali Ewoldt – 2006: Broadway revival
Gina Beck – 2006-2007 West End Production
Idara Victor - 2007 Broadway revival
Claire-Marie Hall – 2007-2008 West End Production
Ashley Batten -2008 Wichita Tour
Leanne Dobinson – 2008-2009 West End Production
Heather Garbutt, Kaitlin Moher – 2008 Vancouver youth production
Katie Hall – 2009 West End Production, UK tour and 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2
Myriam Brousseau -2009 Quebec tour
Cassandra Gardener – 2009 St. John's cast
Suzan Seegers - 2008-2009 Dutch Revival cast
Tomita Maho - 2007 Japanese tour
Karashima Sae, Mika Kikuchi - 2007-2009 Japanese tour
Sayaka Kanda - 2009-2011 Japanese Tour
Emily Bull – 2009-2010 West End Production
Helen Owen - 2010 West End production
Amanda Jane (AJ) Callaghan -2011 West End Production
Emiri Nakayama, Inada Mizuki, Orii Motoko - 2011 Japanese tour
Talía del Val – 2010-2011 (Madrid) 2011-2012 (Barcelona): Los Miserables (Spain revival)
Lee Ji Soo - 2013 South Korean 25th annniversary tour
Ikuyo Aoyama and Reina Isogai - 2013 25th anniversary Japanese cast and 2015 Japanese Tour
Kumiko Wakai - 2013 25th anniversary Japanese cast
Lucie Jones – 2010-2011 West End Production
Lisa-Anne Wood – 2011-2012 West End Production
Paulina Janczak, Kaja Mianowana, Weronika Bochat - 2010/12 Roma Theater in Warsaw
Jennifer Latimer, Lauren Wiley – 25th Anniversary US Tour
Zoe Doano - 2012 West End Production
Giulia Fabbri - 2012 Bologna tour
Harriet Flashman - RGS High Wycombe 2013 School Edition
Samantha Dorsey – 2012-2014 West End Production (Current)
Samantha Hill - 2013 Toronto cast and 2014 Broadway Production
Emily Langridge - 2013 current Australian Cast
Talía del Val – 2013-2014 Los Miserables: Spanish Tour
Chelsea Oswald – Lawrence Park CI's 2014 school edition
Emilie Fleming – 2014/15 London cast
Ayaka Shimizu - 2015 Japanese Tour