REVIEW
Little Theatre Company
present
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
Wed 22 - Sat 25 Nov 2023
Little Theatre Company
present
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
Wed 22 - Sat 25 Nov 2023
There are a hundred things I could say about Little Theatre Company’s, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but the first word that really comes into mind is, Wow!
The story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame is one that is well known to most; the Victor Hugo novel has been made into films, there have been numerous parodies and children will have been introduced to the tale with the Disney animated movie. However, this version brought to stage with the book by Peter Parnell, music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Stephen Schwarz has adopted the core of its storyline from the more darker and, dare I say it, disturbing Hugo tome and anyone considering bringing younger children should be warned that this show only bears comparison with the Disney movie as far as song, dance and colourful creativity are concerned.
Little Theatre Company (LTC) launch into this production on a strong opening number with the ensemble performing as the Congregation and there is added choral strength from the boxes above the stage, where the Allegro Choir have been drafted in to add their classical musicianship and vocals to the production. The ensemble provide the narrative and we are introduced to fifteenth century France, and the story of how Quasimodo came to be a resident of the Notre Dame Cathedral as a baby, and become the ward of his evil uncle, Frollo, the Arch Deacon of the Church.
This introduction alone is a powerful one and certainly pulls at one's emotions, as we discover that the orphaned Quasimodo has been born disfigured and deformed. Left to his unwilling uncle’s care he is confined to the Cathedral, where he has become deafened by the bells that he tolls and a life of loneliness. His only friends are the statues and gargoyles that come alive in his imagination when he is alone with them. That is, of course, until Esmeralda comes along with all her wonderful gypsy wiles and a penchant for song and dance. The opportunity arises for Quasimodo to escape the cathedral and he bumps unexpectedly into Esmeralda at the annual Feast of Fools day.
Ewan Dunlop as Quasimodo evokes all kinds of vulnerability and pathos in the role of the Hunchback. He also gets to show off some fabulous vocals in Out There and especially Made of Stone, a powerful number in strength and emotion. It's a lovely, touching performance.
Likewise, Maddy Lahna, is perfectly cast in the role of Esmeralda, the young gypsy girl who has to fight off the unsavoury advances of the repugnant, Frollo. Her vocals shine from her very first entrance with Rhythm of the Tamborine through to God Help the Outcasts, Top of the World that she sings with Quasimodo, with great work from the ensemble here too; and Someday, with Phoebus (Lee Keremezo, doing a nice job as the love interest) in this lovely number. Lahna does a great job conveying every emotion needed in such a demanding role.
Joey Whitby certainly gets to shine in the fanciful role of Clopin Trouillefou, as he prances around the stage in the joyful Topsy Turvy number, seemingly channelling Jack Sparrow vibes and showing some nice characterisation. A special nod should go to Sean Hynes providing some gorgeous vocals as Saint Aphrodisius and also Amber Satchwell as Florika.
The stand out performance of the evening, however, has to go to the villain of the piece in a role that must have taken a shed load of work to characterise; a role that audiences should, and do, feel repulsed by but a role that also needs to be understood. Lee Brown has absolutely nailed this in the role of Frollo. His character is constantly in emotional conflict with the devil and the deity and we feel his pain almost as much as we feel Quasimodo and Esmeralda’s in their torment. Brown’s vocals are also outstanding, not least in the Hellfire number, as we really feel his inner turmoil as he fights to control his lustful thoughts.
This truly is a wonderfully polished production from LTC, however, the goosebumps are at their tingliest when the whole cast, accompanied by the Allegro Choir are in full musical flow. Honestly, I lost count of the number of goosebump moments this show gave me. Credit for this must go to Alex Wood, Musical Director, who has done the most amazing job in drilling this cast to nigh on perfection alongside an orchestra that also sound fantastic as they play below in the Palace Theatre pit.
Staging for this epic production also looks spot on, with the focus on the Cathedral and its huge circular stained glass window, with the giant bells above, and it is nicely lit throughout to capture each scene's mood.
The songs and movement in this production have been cleverly staged by choreographer, Paige Williamson. It’s a big cast and the ensemble have a lot to do. Everything looks incredibly slick and every member of the cast has approached this performance like a true pro. Costumes all look spectacular thanks to Joan Hubbard and Chantal Paul and with lots of action between scenes, the backstage team have done a great job in keeping the flow of the show fully up to pace.
Direction is of absolutely paramount importance in a musical of his calibre and Bradley Green really has surpassed himself here. He clearly had a vision of what he wanted with this production and I am guessing that he has managed to get from his cast exactly what he envisaged. That truly is a skill and his principal players have more than proved their worth and done their director proud. I imagine there may have been tears at the end of the first night; there certainly were from more than a handful of the audience after a rousingly tumultuous and emotive Finale Ultimo from the whole cast and choir.
This musical never got to reach the West End, despite being performed in numerous other countries across the world. LTC have given everyone in Southend the chance to see what the West End missed out on. My advice is to take that opportunity this week.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame continues all this week at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea - don't miss out!
Review: Kim Tobin
Little Theatre Company (LTC) launch into this production on a strong opening number with the ensemble performing as the Congregation and there is added choral strength from the boxes above the stage, where the Allegro Choir have been drafted in to add their classical musicianship and vocals to the production. The ensemble provide the narrative and we are introduced to fifteenth century France, and the story of how Quasimodo came to be a resident of the Notre Dame Cathedral as a baby, and become the ward of his evil uncle, Frollo, the Arch Deacon of the Church.
This introduction alone is a powerful one and certainly pulls at one's emotions, as we discover that the orphaned Quasimodo has been born disfigured and deformed. Left to his unwilling uncle’s care he is confined to the Cathedral, where he has become deafened by the bells that he tolls and a life of loneliness. His only friends are the statues and gargoyles that come alive in his imagination when he is alone with them. That is, of course, until Esmeralda comes along with all her wonderful gypsy wiles and a penchant for song and dance. The opportunity arises for Quasimodo to escape the cathedral and he bumps unexpectedly into Esmeralda at the annual Feast of Fools day.
Ewan Dunlop as Quasimodo evokes all kinds of vulnerability and pathos in the role of the Hunchback. He also gets to show off some fabulous vocals in Out There and especially Made of Stone, a powerful number in strength and emotion. It's a lovely, touching performance.
Likewise, Maddy Lahna, is perfectly cast in the role of Esmeralda, the young gypsy girl who has to fight off the unsavoury advances of the repugnant, Frollo. Her vocals shine from her very first entrance with Rhythm of the Tamborine through to God Help the Outcasts, Top of the World that she sings with Quasimodo, with great work from the ensemble here too; and Someday, with Phoebus (Lee Keremezo, doing a nice job as the love interest) in this lovely number. Lahna does a great job conveying every emotion needed in such a demanding role.
Joey Whitby certainly gets to shine in the fanciful role of Clopin Trouillefou, as he prances around the stage in the joyful Topsy Turvy number, seemingly channelling Jack Sparrow vibes and showing some nice characterisation. A special nod should go to Sean Hynes providing some gorgeous vocals as Saint Aphrodisius and also Amber Satchwell as Florika.
The stand out performance of the evening, however, has to go to the villain of the piece in a role that must have taken a shed load of work to characterise; a role that audiences should, and do, feel repulsed by but a role that also needs to be understood. Lee Brown has absolutely nailed this in the role of Frollo. His character is constantly in emotional conflict with the devil and the deity and we feel his pain almost as much as we feel Quasimodo and Esmeralda’s in their torment. Brown’s vocals are also outstanding, not least in the Hellfire number, as we really feel his inner turmoil as he fights to control his lustful thoughts.
This truly is a wonderfully polished production from LTC, however, the goosebumps are at their tingliest when the whole cast, accompanied by the Allegro Choir are in full musical flow. Honestly, I lost count of the number of goosebump moments this show gave me. Credit for this must go to Alex Wood, Musical Director, who has done the most amazing job in drilling this cast to nigh on perfection alongside an orchestra that also sound fantastic as they play below in the Palace Theatre pit.
Staging for this epic production also looks spot on, with the focus on the Cathedral and its huge circular stained glass window, with the giant bells above, and it is nicely lit throughout to capture each scene's mood.
The songs and movement in this production have been cleverly staged by choreographer, Paige Williamson. It’s a big cast and the ensemble have a lot to do. Everything looks incredibly slick and every member of the cast has approached this performance like a true pro. Costumes all look spectacular thanks to Joan Hubbard and Chantal Paul and with lots of action between scenes, the backstage team have done a great job in keeping the flow of the show fully up to pace.
Direction is of absolutely paramount importance in a musical of his calibre and Bradley Green really has surpassed himself here. He clearly had a vision of what he wanted with this production and I am guessing that he has managed to get from his cast exactly what he envisaged. That truly is a skill and his principal players have more than proved their worth and done their director proud. I imagine there may have been tears at the end of the first night; there certainly were from more than a handful of the audience after a rousingly tumultuous and emotive Finale Ultimo from the whole cast and choir.
This musical never got to reach the West End, despite being performed in numerous other countries across the world. LTC have given everyone in Southend the chance to see what the West End missed out on. My advice is to take that opportunity this week.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame continues all this week at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea - don't miss out!
Review: Kim Tobin
Presented by Little Theatre Company From the Academy Award-winning team of Menken and Schwartz comes a lushly-scored retelling of Victor Hugo’s epic story of love, acceptance and what it means to be a hero. Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the DISNEY animated feature, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME showcases the film’s original score as well as new songs written especially for the stage production.
The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be “Out There” observes all of Paris revelling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda.
Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the Roma – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all. A sweeping score and powerful story make The Hunchback of Notre Dame an instant classic. Audiences will be swept away by the magic of this truly unforgettable musical.
https://trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend/en-GB/event/musical/hunchback-of-notre-dame-tickets
The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be “Out There” observes all of Paris revelling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda.
Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the Roma – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all. A sweeping score and powerful story make The Hunchback of Notre Dame an instant classic. Audiences will be swept away by the magic of this truly unforgettable musical.
https://trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend/en-GB/event/musical/hunchback-of-notre-dame-tickets