A solemn drama of light and darkness, based on the masterpiece of the world-renowned literary master Victor Hugo

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME was inspired by the novel Notre Dame de Paris, the magnum opus of the world’s renowned literary master, Victor Hugo. The version presented by Shiki was first performed in 2014 at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, California, produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.

The musical composition is based on the animated feature film which was released in 1996 by Walt Disney Studios, and nominated for an Academy Award the following year, under the direction of composer Alan Menken (whose works include ALADDIN and Beauty and the Beast) and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (whose works include Wicked).

The musical features a script by Peter Parnell (whose works include On a Clear Day You Can See Forever), and direction by Scott Schwartz (whose works include Jane Eyre).

Set in Paris in the late 15th century, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME tells the tale of a man named Quasimodo who lives in the bell tower of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Frollo the clergyman who secretly takes care of him, Phoebus the leader of the Cathedral Guards, and Esmeralda the gypsy girl whom all three men are in love with. With an emphasis on the serious aspect of Hugo’s original work, the musical sensitively depicts the "light" and "darkness" that exist within all human beings, creating a drama of profound beauty.

We hope you enjoy the musical THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME – a quality theatrical play dedicated to adults.

The painfully sad love story of Quasimodo –
What is the single ray of light that is to be found?

Paris in the late 15th century. In the bell tower of the Notre Dame Cathedral in the centre of the city lived a bell-ringer by the name of Quasimodo.

Taken in as an infant by the Cathedral’s Archdeacon Frollo, he was confined to the bell tower because of his appearance, cut off from the outside world.

Day after day, Quasimodo would look down on the city from the tower. His only friends were the bells and stone figures (gargoyles) who somehow came to life in his presence. He always dreamed of freedom.

The Festival of Fools, a yearly event, has come around once again.
Unable to resist the boisterous excitement of the crowds, Quasimodo is tempted by the gargoyles to slip out of the tower. It is then that he encounters the beautiful Gypsy dancer, Esmeralda.

When the contest begins to choose who is in the ugliest disguise, Esmeralda drags Quasimodo up to the stage, telling him to "take advantage of what he’s got".
But when the audience realises that his looks are not a mask, they mock him cruelly and try to capture him.

Esmeralda goes to stop the crowd, and Quasimodo returns to the Cathedral. Feeling responsible for having exposed him in public, Esmeralda follows him.
Never in his life had Quasimodo been treated with sincerity and kindness, without discrimination, as he had been by Esmeralda. It was inevitable that he would fall in love with her.

Meanwhile, lusting after the beautiful Esmeralda despite being a clergyman, Frollo orders Phoebus, the Captain of the Guards, to eradicate the Gypsies, and the search for Esmeralda begins.

However, having been captivated by Esmeralda’s charms for some time, Phoebus disobeys Frollo’s orders by risking his life to rescue Esmeralda. Quasimodo senses an awakening of love between them, and in spite of a mental anguish that he has never felt before, he shelters the pair in the bell tower out of his love for Esmeralda.

Even so, the guards led by Frollo were closing in on them. Esmeralda returns to the Court of Miracles, the Gypsies’ haven, and when Quasimodo is asked about her whereabouts from Frollo, he lies to his master for the first time in his life, saying he does not know where she went.

Quasimodo, Frollo, Esmeralda, Phoebus – three men and a woman entangled in a complex love-hate relationship.

Can love change their destiny?