What makes a monster and what makes a man? This is the central theme of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a grand-scale musical from Disney Theatrical. Based on the 1996 Disney film and Victor Hugo's 1831 novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame tells the story of Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell-ringer of Notre Dame, and his desire to one day be part of the outside world. When he summons the courage to attend the Feast of Fools, he meets Esmeralda, a compassionate gypsy who protects him from an angry mob. But at the same time, Quasimodo's master, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, and the new captain of the guard, Phoebus de Martin, fall in love with the beautiful girl. Adding to Quasimodo's struggle is his punishment and derision from Frollo, following years of psychological abuse, and the danger posed by the gypsies, who are willing to kill any outsiders who venture into their secret hideout. But before Paris is burned to the ground, will Quasimodo be able to save Esmeralda from Frollo's lust and anger? Will she return Quasimodo's affection? Who is the true monster of Notre Dame?
This November the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre of Victoria will be staging for the first time in Malta the musical: The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This musical, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by James Lapine, is based on the 1996 Disney film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
The stage production of the musical, originally named Der Glöckner von Notre Dame, (literally translated in English: The Bellringer of Notre Dame) opened on 5 June 1999 at the Musicaltheater Berlin (now Theater am Potsdamer Platz). After a successful run, it closed in June 2002. This was Disney's first musical to premiere outside the US, and it became one of Berlin's longest-running musicals to date. As with Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame opened three years after the release of the movie it is based on. In April 2013, an English adaptation of Der Glöckner von Notre Dame by The King's Academy Fine Arts Department was staged in Florida, and later had a largely successful run in the US up until 2015.
Now thanks to the license and the relevant permits from Music Theatre International of London, as well as with the financial support of the Directorate of Cultural Heritage of the Ministry for Gozo and the French Embassy in Malta, this same musical is being staged live in English at the fully-airconditioned theatre of the Don Bosco Oratory in Gozo, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of this same theatre. This musical is surely one of the most challenging musicals ever to be staged at the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre of Gozo.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a beautiful performance featuring captivating music, songs, and dancing, all coming together to tell the emotional story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame as portrayed by Victor Hugo. This show is coinciding as well with the completion of the restoration works of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Among the most popular songs we will hear The Bells of Notre Dame, Topsy Turvy, Out There, Rhythm of the Tambourine, God Help The Outcasts and Top of the World, as well as Hellfire and Esmeralda, together with many other beautiful melodies so much loved by musical theatre patrons. The best local artists will be taking part, together with some special guest artists from Malta. Ludwig Galea will be interpreting the main part of Quasimodo, while the young promising artist, Krista Mercieca, would be portraying the other main role of Esmeralda. Other characters are being interpreted by Andrew Buhagiar, Karl J. Buhagiar, George Camilleri, Louis Andrew Cassar, Fabian Galea, David Grech, Matthias Mercieca and Casey Sacco, together with a cast of about 80 other people, including musicians, singers, choristers and dancers. The musical director Mark Gauci will be conducting the orchestra, while the choir director is Antonella Rapa. Artistic direction of the show is in the hands of Jamie Camilleri, while Mario Grech and Frances Zammit are in charge of the choreographic numbers. Scenography has been left in the hands of the young Paul M. Cassar together with a group of volunteers from the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre.
The opening night will be on Saturday, 9 November at 7.30pm, with a repeat performance on Sunday, 10th at 2.30pm (matinee show). Two other performances will be held on Saturday, 16 November at 7.30pm with the last performance on Sunday, 17th at 5.30pm.
Booking is now open.
Tickets can be obtained from the Don Bosco Oratory of Gozo every day between 5 and 6pm or else by phoning on 2155 6616 / 9948 7751. Online booking is also available through the website or donboscogozo.org