Quasimodo musical stays true to The Hunchback Of Notre Dame novel
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Kooi Xiu Min
When it comes to the tale of The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, most people are familiar with the 1996 Disney movie of that title.
But for the upcoming Quasimodo: A Musical Story by home-grown company Sing'Theatre, director Nathalie Ribette wanted to stay faithful to the source novel written by French author Victor Hugo in 1831.
The story follows Quasimodo, a deformed bell ringer of the Notre Dame Cathedral who falls in unrequited love with Esmeralda, a Romani dancer.
Esmeralda also catches the eye of other men, including Captain Phoebus and archdeacon Claude Frollo, who becomes torn between his attraction to her and his obligation to the church.
The original story is far darker and more complex than the Disney version, says Ribette, 58. "Most of the French people were shocked when Disney's version came out. It is an insult to Victor Hugo."
Quasimodo: A Musical Story will run from Friday to April 24. It is being staged to mark the third anniversary of the burning of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, as well as the 220th anniversary of Hugo's birth.
The production, which borrows some songs from the French musical Notre Dame De Paris, will delve into issues of prejudice, sexism and discrimination.
Actor Joash Zheng, 31, plays the titular character. The Lasalle College of the Arts graduate's audition moved Ribette greatly, as he clearly felt a lot for the hunchback. It was only afterwards that he revealed he had autism spectrum disorder.
Zheng says he tapped his life experiences to get into character. "Growing up here, spending any amount of time in the education system, difference isn't exactly the easiest thing to get through."
He recalls being ostracised in school for his monotonous speech and difficulty interpreting jokes, something which he had to train himself over time to be better at.
He also remembers a teacher commenting that his neurodivergence made him "useless". The teacher, he says, got away "with a slap on the wrist".
With the help of special effects, Zheng seeks to portray Quasimodo as a multidimensional character who is blind in one eye and half-deaf from ringing the bells of Notre Dame, traits missing in Disney's adaptation.
The cast also stars established local actors such as Hossan Leong and Vanessa Kee, who is best known for playing Aida in Aida: The Musical (2019).
Ribette and Zheng feel Quasimodo's story embodies what it means to be different and the importance of being inclusive of those who are different.
Ribette, who has a son on the autism spectrum, says: "I hope people will feel for Quasimodo and be more accepting and conscious of how to be with people who are different."
Zheng says that he hopes the show will give audience members, especially those who are caregivers, hope that the world is not as cruel as it seems.
"Being on the spectrum doesn't just take a toll on the person, but it also takes a toll on his or her family. But we want to give them something to be hopeful for," he adds.
FRENCH CULTURE ON SHOW
QUASIMODO: A MUSICAL STORY
WHERE Alliance Francaise, 1 Sarkies Road
WHEN Friday to April 24, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8pm; Thursdays, 9pm; Fridays, 4, 6.30, 8 and 9pm; Saturdays, 4 and 8pm; Sundays, 3 and 7pm
ADMISSION From $55
INFO str.sg/w7NS
TARTUFFE: THE IMPOSTER
WHAT Wild Rice's adaptation of Moliere's satire
WHERE Wild Rice @ Funan, Level 4, 107 North Bridge Road
WHEN Till May 1, Tuesdays to Fridays, 7.30pm; Saturdays, 2.30 and 7.30pm, Sundays, 2 and 7pm
ADMISSION From $40
INFO str.sg/w7N5
THE SALON OF PRINCESSE DE POLIGNAC
WHAT Chamber Music and Arts Singapore marks the 100th death anniversary of writer Marcel Proust
WHERE Esplanade Recital Studio, 1 Esplanade Drive
WHEN April 23, 8pm; April 24, 10am and noon
ADMISSION From $28
