The Hunchback of Notre Dame (CLOC Musical Theatre), at The National Theatre - 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval

Based on Victor Hugo’s acclaimed 1831 novel and songs from the 1996 Disney film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a dramatic tale of heartache and pain.

We are in Paris on 6^th January, 1482.

Two orphaned brothers – Jehan (Robbie Wilton) and Claude Frollo (Mike Gardiner) – are being looked after inside Notre-Dame Cathedral.

The former rejects the church’s strict constraints, while the other sits comfortably within its strictures.

Photos by Ben Fon

After Jehan tries to gift Claude a gypsy woman, Florika (Nicole Free), to celebrate the latter’s birthday, he is expelled.

Jehan goes on to live and travel with Florika, fathering her child.

She passes away from the pox, as does he, but on his deathbed, he pleads with Claude to care for the boy, who is badly deformed.

Reluctant though he is to do so, Claude – who by then has risen to church archdeacon – does take him in and names him Quasimodo (meaning half formed).

The latter is a role filled by Jackson Howe.

Claude is a particularly strict task master.

Quasimodo is raised in the belltower of Notre Dame, forbidden to set foot outside the church walls.

His job is to ring the bells, which leaves him partially deaf.

He is left to interact with his “friends” – the gargoyles and statues. They urge him to take a risk and leave the church on the day set aside for the Feast of Fools.

It is when gypsies, including their leader, Clopin (Evan Evans), engage in revelry.

Among them is dancer Esmerelda (Teresa Giansiracusa), who entrances everyone.

That includes the new head of the Notre Dame Cathedral Guard, Captain Phoebus (Thomas Bowman).

He has just arrived after spending four years on the front line.

Also intrigued is Claude, who tells Phoebus they must rid the city of all gypsies.

Encouraged by Esmerelda, Quasimodo enters a contest to find the ugliest person in Paris and he is crowned the King of Fools.

Immediately set upon by the hostile crowd, Esmerelda uses magic to free him from their clutches.

Thereafter, the fortunes of Quasimodo, Esmerelda, Phoebus and Claude Frollo become inextricably linked, with the latter having impure thoughts.

With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Peter Parnell, The Hunchback of Notre Dame premiered in Berlin in 1999.

Its North American debut was in San Diego in 2014.

With a 50-plus strong cast, CLOC’s production is spectacular.

The performances of the leads and the ensemble, along with the choir in full voice, the music and the staging are superb.

Jackson Howe is a revelation as Quasimodo. His emotive, rich vocal sound reverberate throughout. 

Mike Gardiner is positively menacing as Claude Frollo, the timbre in his voice commanding.

With power, poise and polish, Teresa Giansiracusa is well cast as the spirited Esmerelda.

Evan Evans has a dynamic presence as gypsy leader Clopin, while Thomas Bowman commands attention as Captain Phoebus.

Stylistically, the engaging score includes chants, Broadway numbers, opera and contemporary pop.

Music director David Clausen-Wisken, who conducts a fine 15-piece orchestra, has done a mighty job bringing the compositions to life.

Sound designer Marcello Lo Ricco ensures every note is heard throughout the expanse of The National Theatre.

Jason Lord’s lighting design highlights the inherent darkness in the work, as well as the lighter moments.

A feature is a most attractive, backlit stained-glass window in Notre-Dame Cathedral, which carries with it an ethereal quality. 

So, too, the evil and fear inherent in the red toned scenes. 

Set designer Shaun Kingma excels with his substantive, heavy wooden set, which includes a large belltower.

Costume designer Victoria Horne presents a most appealing and redolent costume mix, reflecting the diversity of characters.

Choreographer Melanie Ott expertly walks between gravitas and buoyancy, as the tone of the piece shifts.

Director Shaun Kingma is at the top of his game, bringing us the romance, passion and conviction of a tale built on prejudice. 

I am delighted to be able say that CLOC Musical Theatre delivers … again big time with an enthralling production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.