The story is set in Paris in the fifteen century. Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney film.
When his father died, the deformed Quasimodo was left to be raised by his uncle Claude Frollo, the Priest of Notre Dame. Quasimodo was given the task of ringing the bells of the cathedral at Notre Dame, and never to venture outside the walls of the cathedral, as he was told that the world was wicked and evil out there. So his uncle Frollo always kept Quasimodo sheltered away and confined behind the cathedral walls.
But Quasimodo sees things that he likes outside the windows and one day escapes to only get badly ridiculed and beaten until the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda comes to rescue him and he falls in love with her. By a twist of fate his uncle Frollo and one of Frollo's soldiers called Phoebus are also captivated by the gypsy Esmeralda and fall in love with her as well, starting a frenzy of inevitable disaster. Sadly the world outside the church can not only be a bad place, badness is also found inside God's house as well.
The curtains slowly draw open as the bells of Notre Dame chime. The choir start singing in the background to open the play. The stage was tremendously set up with the large bell tower prop for the whole play and the characters that played the three statues and the two gargoyle props also played their part magnificently throughout the show, only moving and speaking for Quasimodo.
I think Bradley Chapman directed the play very well with at least thirty cast members. All the cast played their part perfectly (exceptional credit to the main actors) and executed the show so well that they received a standing ovation at the end by the audience.
Just as I was enthralled, so was the rest of the audience, with loud cheers and applause throughout the show. It moved me to see everyone enjoying the show as much as I did. The songs and scenes in some parts had moved my emotions so deeply I literally had to bring out my tissues to wipe my tears away. Then there were other parts when we were all laughing out loud to the humour.
The music and songs they performed from the Disney film were very well presented and sung beautifully. There were a couple of crackly notes that were a bit pitchy, but I'm not going to complain over a little insignificant matter, although when they all sang together, I found the volume was a little loud and ear piercing for me.
Being a very cold night I didn't really want to venture out of my warm home, but the show was well worth the effort. It had me enthralled from the very beginning right to the end. I was very pleased I got to see the show, it was well worth watching!
Gingy Murphy
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