A triumphant adaptation of Disney's animated movie
Based on the Disney Renaissance movie of 1995, this glorious musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's Gothic novel is a triumph of love over adversity. With music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, and a new book by Peter Parnell, we follow the story of maligned hunchback Quasimodo as he explores the world outside his cloistered prison, and faces the challenges of people's prejudices - but also love and friendship on the way.
WHat is it about?
Set in Renaissance Paris, the people of the city whisper of a mysterious bellringer high in the cathedral above them. Quasimodo, meaning "half-formed" was orphaned by the cruel and racist Judge Claude Frollo when he murdered his fleeing gypsy mother. As penance, Frollo raises the baby into a young, lonely man from the confines of Notre Dame Cathedral.
A sweet, yearning figure, Quasimodo longs for the company of other people; as much as he loves his three gargoyle friends Victor, Hugo and Laverne, he is desperate to join the throngs below, especially for the annual Feast Of Fools.
Sneaking out despite the orders of Frollo, he encounters a beautiful yet kind gypsy woman Esmeralda, who saves him from a horrified lynch mob, much to the anger of Frollo - who happens to desire her for himself. In turn granting her sanctuary and helping her escape to the Court of Miracles, he invokes the wrath of Frollo, who is determined to burn Paris to the ground to satisfy his lust. However, he finds help in the most unlikely of sources; the heroic Captain Phoebus, who has also fallen for Esmeralda. Together, they work to save her and the gypsy folk, and try to stop Frollo's horrific genocide. With a soaring score that includes "Just One Day",Feast Of Fools and "Hellfire", this is a musical that entertains, shocks and extolls the virtue of tolerance.
