Details

Hide your face amongst the Paris underworld and peek out to see a city of desolation. An innovative reincarnation of Victor Hugo's epic novel, Notre Dame de Paris, deconstructed and rebuilt around its audience in the form of Quasimodo. Venture deep into the labyrinthine caverns of Southwark Playhouse to discover the dark heart of the Parisian underworld. Here you will witness the blind man open his eyes to gaze upon his wealth, the lame man throw down his cane to dance in celebration of his riches and the leper peel back his bandages to unveil the splendour of his affluence. You too are encouraged to take part in the festivities of the feast of fools though no matter how hard you gurn or grimace, it is unlikely that you will ever match the ugliness of Quasimodo, the king of fools. In Jethro Compton’s site-specific adaptation the audience is enticed in to submerge themselves among a very special family of villainous figures taunting and goading the poor Quasimodo into telling the story of his life, a life plagued by loneliness and rejection. But as the sad story of the Hunchback’s life unravels around you it becomes all too apparent that this is more a pitiful attempt by Quasimodo to tell the story how he wants it rather than face the all too tragic reality. Running time: 65mins

Cast/Performers

Joe Hufton (Quasimodo), Dominic J Allen (Frollo), Serena Manteghi (Esmeralda), Patrick Fysh (Phoebus)

Creatives/Company

Author: Jethro Compton (after Victor Hugo's Notre Dame de Paris)
Company: Belt Up Theatre
Director: Jethro Compton
Lighting: Jethro Compton
Music: Gavin Whitworth