Family Recreates ‘One Day More’ From Musical Les Misérables In Hilarious Quarantine Parody
Apr 06, 2020 by apost team
With everyone stuck inside with ample free time due to government-mandated lockdowns across the globe, families are getting creative to pass the time. As part of one particularly creative family project that swept across the web last month, the Marsh family from Kent, UK, got their kids together to sing a lockdown-themed parody of the Les Miserables song One Day More.
In the widely-shared Facebook video, father Ben Marsh, his wife Danielle and their four young children — Alfie, 13; Thomas, 12; Ella, 10; Tess, 8 — perform the rewritten parody version from their microphone-lined living room. According to Kent Online, the family has no background in music beyond a couple of school productions. In fact, Ben Marsh is a history professor at the local university.
Unlike the original One Day More, the Marsh family chronicles the struggles of living under the government-mandated coronavirus lockdown rather than the travails of the French revolution. In harmony, the family sings lyrics like: “Our grandparents are miles away. / They can’t work Skype! / We’re broken hearted” and “Shopping for online delivery online / I tried again, only to find / There’s nothing till September time.”
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Other self-isolation content includes arguing over the Wi-Fi, debating whether its necessary to change one’s underwear for online classes and going stir crazy after being cooped up for so long with your family. It’s relatable to say the least. However, the video also touches on more serious topics related to the virus such as the lack of ventilators and a cure, though the majority of the Marsh’s rendition focuses on the day-to-day annoyances of social distancing within a large family.
"There have been messages from people who are self-isolating, or even people with cancer on hospital wards, saying it has made them smile or cry,” Ben told Kent Online. "We really weren't expecting it and we are really touched by the way it has resonated with people.”
It’s clear that beyond just being funny, the video struck a collective chord with others who are dealing with the evolving global health crisis and the subsequent lockdowns. Since the Marsh family posted the video on Facebook, media outlets from across the world — from NPR to Good Morning America — have covered the inventive spoof video, and users have widely shared their original post. And the musical Marsh family didn’t just stop with Les Miserables, according to Kent Online. In another video, the family also parodied a popular song from the animated film Tangled, which also took inspiration from the current virus crisis. Apart from brightening people’s days during this comparatively stressful time, Ben said that he hoped their creative experiment would inspire other folks stuck at home.
"Hopefully it will give parents an idea of how to keep the kids occupied - besides from doing Joe Wicks or watching Netflix,” Ben told Kent Online.
What did you think of the Marsh family's quarantine-themed parody? How has your family dealt with staying at home? Let us know and pass this uplifting video on to friends and family members who might need a pick me up.