The Hunchback of Notre Dame was performed in July of 2024 at the Tony Sheumack Centre For Performing Arts.
This cast included Jarod Rhine-Davis as Quasimodo, Tim Blencowe as Claude Frollo and Rebekah Bennetts as Esmeralda.
The story of the Hunchback
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a mesmerising musical that immerses the audiences in the enchanting yet harsh world of 15th century Paris, France, with the iconic
Notre Dame Cathedral as its centrepiece.
Drawing inspiration from Victor Hugo’s timeless novel, the story revolves around Quasimodo, a gentle yet deformed bell ringer who has spent hie entire life secluded within the cathedral’s imposing towers. Hugo’s narrative and themes come to life as Quasimodo yearns for acceptance and love, embodying the universal human desire for connection.
As he gazes longingly at the world down below, the powerful ballad “Out There” encapsulates his yearning for freedom and a life outside the Cathedral’s stone walls, echoing Hugo’s exploration of societal restrictions. Meanwhile Esmeralda a beautiful Roma Gypsy wonders into the cathedral and through her compassionate song
“God Help the Outcasts,” her character captures the spirit of Hugo’s themes, highlighting empathy and social justice. As she prays for help, she pleads for the wellbeing of society’s outcasts, conveying a message of compassion and solidarity rooted in Hugo’s social commentary.
Within this narrative, we encounter other intriguing characters, each with their own complexities. There’s Esmeralda, a free-spirited and compassionate Roma gypsy, who captures Quasimodo’s heart, and the stern and morally conflicted Archdeacon Claude Frollo, whose heart is consumed by a dark obsession for Esmeralda, this is more apparent during Frollo’s iconic song “Hellfire” at it sets the stage for a powerful clash of ones desires and ones morals. Among these key figures, we also meet Captain Phoebus de Matin, a valiant soldier who becomes entangled in the complex emotions and tension and struggles with his own destiny within the narrative of the show.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a tale of self-discovery, resilience, and the enduring power of the human spirit, mirroring the profound themes of Victor Hugo’s original gothic novel. It serves as a poignant reminder that, beneath our own differences, we all share a common longing for acceptance and love. This captivating musical offers a deeply emotional and thought-provoking narrative, set against the backdrop of the world’s most iconic landmarks, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Cast
Quasimodo: Jarod Rhine-Davis
Esmeralda: Rebekah Bennett
Claude Frollo: Tim Blencowe
Phoebus De Martin: Zac Ryder
Clopin Trouillefou: Chloe Harbour
Jehan: Nic Corcoran
Florika: Jessica Masalski
Frederic: Ben Howell
Father Dupin: Matthew Pines
Official: Ben Howell
The Madame: Sarah Wallis / Robyn Scott
Saint Aphrodisius: Matthew Pines
King Louis XI: Bailey Ogden
Ensemble
Alice Cooper, Nic Corcoran, Jennifer Gareski, Jordan Grenfell, Ben Howell, Kiarra Joens, Mia Knudson, Felix de Lemos, Jessica Masalski, Stephanie Nguyen, Bailey Ogden, Matthew Pines, Kristine Roque, Robyn Scott, Amelia Stewart, Megan Truong & Sarah Wallis
Youth Ensemble
Matilda Bright, Jake Christie, Sienna Corrigan, Olivia Harcourt, Aurelia Milnes, Ayda Melody, Zoe Sissnos & Layal Van Niekerk
Choir
Brianna Birthisle-Mulready, Nickolas Brown, Tom Frost, David Guzenko, Lisa Habermann, Tegan Haywood, Hannah Hine & Amali de Silva
Orchestra
The Conductor: Kent Ross
Cello: Liam Cullen
Horn: Vicki Ware
Keyboard 1: James Boon
Keyboard 2: Gabriel Taburet
Percussion: Justin Tsang
Reed 1: Hannah Phillips
Reed 2: Thomas English
Reed 3: Hannah Hunt
Trombone / Euphonium & Bass Trombone: Bazil Rizopoulos
Trumpet 1: Sam Fitzgerald
Trumpet 2: Peter Grant, OAM
Viola: Bill Wong
Violin 1: Paige Harvey
Violin 2: Avelyn Reynolds
Production Credits
Director: Bridie Clark
Assistant Director: Tim Blencowe
Executive Producer: BATS Theatre Company Inc.
Production Managers: Debbie Jenkins & Jen White
Set Construction: Paul Ogden, Tim Blencowe, Bailey Ogden, Paul Out, Thomas Out, Wayne Ryan, Tim Angelico, Chris Ryan, Heath Ogden, Joshua Out, Joshua Wheatley & David Clark
Set Painters: Sarah Wallis, Rebekah Bennett, Bridie Clark, Jennifer White, Oliver ‘Ollie’ Ogden, Alice Cooper, Philippa Delos, Thomas Out, Jaydan Harvey, Iam Luck, Sally Martin, Debbie Jenkins, Kristie Ogden, Bailey Ogden, Sophie Masalski, Jessica Masalski, Kristine Roque, Loren Delos & Joshua Out
Costume Designer: Debbie Jenkins
Props Manager: Annette Neilson
Stage Manager: Chris Ryan
Sound Designer & Operator: Daniel Bowen
Lighting Designers: Bridie Clark, Jaydan Harvey & Josh Oliver
Radio Microphone Technician: Tim Mann
Lighting Operator: Jaydan Harvey
Logistics Manager: Josh Petrie
Dressers: Debbie Jenkins & Bridie Clark
Fly Rigger: Nicholas Manning
Fly Operator: Tim Angelico
Stage Crew: Bridie Clark, Juan Camillo Ibarraga Quintero & Josh Wheatley
Front of House Staff: Friends & Family of BATS
FOH Manager: Thomas Out
Ticketing: Kristie Ogden & Debbie Jenkins
Programme Design: Bridie Clark
Marketing: Kristie Ogden & Bridie Clark
Photography: Tim Blencowe & Graham Milnes
Cinematography: Angus Summerton
Rehearsal Accompanists: James Boon
Sound & Lighting Equipment Supplier: ClearSystems