The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an epic book written in 1831 by Victor Hugo. It has since seen many film, television and musical adaptations including the 1996 Disney version, and now rears its head in St Paul’s Church Gardens as an immersive promenade piece of theatre adapted by Benjamin Polya. Being a timeless story adored by older and younger generations, it is deceptively dark with many themes that ring true in this day and age. In particular themes of sexism, racial discrimination and morality are touched upon, and makes this show very important to watch.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame starts as a band called ‘the Left Bank Players’ in 1831, telling Victor Hugo’s story set in Paris, 1482. In the shadows of the Notre Dame Cathedral, a priest and a hunchback both fall for the mysterious and beautiful Esmerelda, who desires to find her long lost mother. When they start to take matters into their own hands, they set off a chain of events that shakes up Paris. With the backdrop of revolution and injustices, who will come out alive?
