SINGAPORE - 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 between April 15 and 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's comment that his neurodivergence made him "useless". The teacher, he adds, 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.

"I hope people will feel for Quasimodo and be more accepting and conscious of how to be with people who are different," says Ribette, who has a son on the autism spectrum.

Zheng adds 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."

French culture on show

Quasimodo: A Musical Story

What: A musical based on Victor Hugo's novel, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame
Where: Alliance Francaise, 1 Sarkies Road
MRT: Newton
When: April 15 to 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: Website

Tartuffe: The Imposter

What: Wild Rice's adaptation of Moliere's satire about a wealthy family whose lives are turned upside down by a con artist disguised as a pious man.
Where: Wild Rice @ Funan, Level 4, 107 North Bridge Road MRT: City Hall
When: Till May 1, Tuesdays to Fridays, 7.30pm; Saturdays, 2.30 and 7.30pm, Sundays, 2 and 7pm
Admission: From $40
Info: Website

The Salon Of Princesse De Polignac

What: A Chamber Music and Arts Singapore project to mark the 100th death anniversary of French writer Marcel Proust. It features an evening concert with narration of Proust's work and music by the likes of composers Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, as well as two concerts for children.
Where: Esplanade Recital Studio, 1 Esplanade Drive
MRT: City Hall/Esplanade
When: April 23, 8pm (evening concert); April 24, 10am (The Toys Of Claude-Emma's Playroom) and noon (Friendships And War)
Admission: From $28
Info: Website