Celebrating it’s 20th anniversary, and having been performed around the globe in a truly international tour-de-force, the original version of Notre Dame de Paris comes to London for the first time. While we have seen an English translation before, here the production is presented in its original French. Written by Luc Plamondon and Richard Cocciante, and directed by Gilles Maheu, the musical is of course based on the Victor Hugo novel, but for anyone hoping to compare it to another Hugo novel-turned-musical their endeavours will be fruitless, this is quite a different beast all together.
Here, in Britain it seems to have become fashionable to dislike this production, despite it’s huge international success. London critics have been blamed for destroying the reputation of this beloved French institution, and perhaps that’s because there’s a tendency to compare it to a ‘West End Musical’ which Notre Dame de Paris is not, and neither tries to be.
The plot remains faithful to the novel, but with most of the minor characters cut. This allows the production to focus fully on the various tales of unrequited love between the main characters. Clopin and Fleur-de-Lys have slightly enhanced roles, but it is Esmeralda and Quasimodo, the famous hunchback of Notre Dame who share the limelight.
Notre Dame de Paris is entirely sung through, and for this original production it is all in French. There are English surtitles displayed on an electronic screen above the stage so, for anyone who’s French isn’t quite up to par (such as myself) it means we are not at a complete loss to how the story is progressing. The screen is quite small and unobtrusive, but this does mean it’s a little tricky to follow the text and concentrate on what’s happening on stage. If you have to choose one, go for the latter.
Martino Müller’s ambitious choreography means there is never a dull moment in this overly dramatic production. In one minute, large stone pillars move back and forth across the stage, and in the next, the bells of Notre Dame Cathedral hang above the stage with human bodies for clappers. Notre Dame de Paris is a real visual spectacle filled with vivid colours and striking lighting design from Alain Lortie.
The score is enthralling, even if you do give up on the surtitles, and especially when it has the might of ENO behind it. Employing an intriguing blend of a rock concert and an opera, it’s no wonder composer Richard Cocciante refers to it as the ‘People’s Opera’, there is most likely something for everyone here.
The cast are strong, and it would be remiss not to mention the dancer acrobats who achieve such physical accomplishments, and are so important to the strong overall look of this production. Angelo Del Vecchio as the hunchback, Quasimodo, has an incredibly beautiful voice that is perfectly moulded to his rock ballads. Hiba Tawaji is an outstanding Esmeralda with her performance of ‘Vivre’ the highlight of the evening.
Notre Dame de Paris may be set in the 15th century, but the themes seem more relevant today than ever. With a large group of characters seeking asylum, Clopin sings of a world without borders, while Frollo bitterly declares “Ignore these immigrants, these homeless, ignore them.” Even if you’re not fully conversant with the tragedy and discrimination unfolding within the plot, the whole production is a phenomenal extravaganza on another scale.
And once you accept you’re not watching a musical tied to the conventions of the West End, you can enjoy the beauty behind this outlandish and unfamiliar delicacy.
