Clarify a Les Miz lyric

[theminutepast]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 8:18pm

Does anyone know what the meaning is of "two-a-penny thing" during "Eponine's Errand?" I've never known or been able to find out its meaning.

Context:
Marius: Eponine, who was that girl?
Eponine: Some bourgeoise two-a-penny thing!

[mrkringas]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 8:24pm

Its just a saying. If there are two of one thing for every penny in circulation then its not very unique. ie so common as to be almost worthless.

hope that helps


Edit: Of course its also Eponine making a comment about the bourgeoisie in post revolutionary France. Those pretty rich girls are not all that common in a society that is full of beggars on the street.
Updated On: 5/14/06 at 08:24 PM

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 8:56pm

Is Eponine's Errand on a cd of the show?

[tophertilson]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 8:59pm

It's a British variant on "dime a dozen."

TT

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 9:01pm

"Is Eponine's Errand on a cd of the show? "

I know of one: The Original Broadway Cast Recording (if we're both thinking of the same thing). It's right before On My Own, correct?

[mrkringas]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 9:02pm

In my head I can hear both Francess Ruffelle and Lea Salonga singing those lines to Michael Ball. Therefore I conclude that its on the OLC and Albert Hall recording. Plus my london cds are at the bottom and back of my collection and too lazy to gig out before I got to bed


And yes it comes right before she launches into the pre On My Own recit. Updated On: 5/14/06 at 09:02 PM

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 9:04pm

Hm....I *think* that the concert version went right into On My Own after intermission. I was going to write that CD as well in my above post and then remembered. I own the video, which is the same as the CD, unless they had cut out the Errand on the video. I haven't listened to the concert on CD in some time.

[My Strongest Suit]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 9:08pm

it's on the complete symphonic recording with michael ball, kaho shimada, gary morris, and philip quast. it's a great recording - the entire show. :)

[mrkringas]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 9:11pm

Damn you are right!

Just popped in the dvd and they covered that section with a subtitle. See what tricks the mind plays when high on coffee?

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 9:42pm

H/o. I may be mixed up. I know the errend is the note from Marius to Cosette.

But is the scene with Eponine and Marius before he sees Cosette on cd?

[rocky2428]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 10:54pm

The scene with this lyric is right after "Stars". Gavroche sings quickly and then this scene...

E: My God. What a rumpus!
M: That girl who can she be?
E: That cop, he'd like to jump us. But he ain't smart, not he.
M: Eponine, who was that girl.
E: Some bourgeoise two-a-penny thing.
M: Eponine, find her for me.
E: What will you give me?
M: Anything!
E: Got you all excited now, but God knows what you see in her. Aren't you all delighted now? No, I don't want your money, sir.
M: Eponine, do this for me: Discover where she lives. But careful how you go. Don't let her father know. 'Ponine, I'm lost until she's found...
E: You'll say "I told you so." There's lots of things I know. 'Ponine - she knows her way around.

They then go right into "Red & Black".

PS - That's off the top of my head, so apologies if the lyrics aren't 100% right (although I think they're pretty close).