★★★★½
In a haunting, twisted world where boundaries between virtue, obsession and cruelty get indecipherably blurry, a timeworn riddle dares to ask, “What makes a monster and what makes a man?”
15th-century Paris rises in shadows and song as The Hunchback of Notre Dame returns to the stage, presented by CLOC Musical Theatre at Melbourne’s iconic National Theatre, St Kilda.
Director Shaun Kingma reimagines this enduring tale with grandeur, impressive scale, and a striking sense of purpose. The production skilfully balances the weight of Victor Hugo’s original story with the emotional pulse of its beloved Disney adaptation.
Seen through the eyes of an isolated outsider, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a sombre meditation on morality and identity, as corruption tears apart a fragile society fragmented by prejudice.
Innocent Quasimodo, hidden away in the high towers, yearns for human connection, with only inanimate statues for company. Firecracker Esmeralda fights for dignity and acceptance in a city determined to crush her community. Sinister, self-righteous Frollo confuses his despicable hatred with an unyielding sense of duty, against the imposing backdrop of the cathedral’s ancient tolling bells.
At the centre of the story, Jackson Howe offers a compassionate portrait of Quasimodo, a solitary young man aching to explore a world he’s spent his life observing from afar. Howe brings to life Quasimodo’s hopefulness and innate ability to always see the best in people.
He effortlessly commits to the visual contradictions required by the role’s physicality, at once embodying Quasimodo’s external fragility and inner strength when prowling cautiously across the stage. His formidable vocals soar as he belts out Out There with longing and Made of Stone in sheer desperation.
Teresa Giansiracusa is absolutely mesmerising as Esmeralda, the story’s moral compass and symbol for defiance. Giansiracusa’s self-assured performance and captivating singing voice successfully deliver a terrific blend of tenderness and confidence.
She vividly personifies Esmeralda’s passion for freedom (God Help the Outcasts) and her bold, undying refusal to be diminished by the brutality that surrounds her (Someday).
Mike Gardiner’s Archdeacon Claude Frollo is a menacing villain masquerading as a beacon of reverent devotion. With chilling precision, Gardiner’s resonant bass-baritone commands full attention, conveying Frollo’s delirious malevolence (Hellfire), as he continues to masterfully manipulate those close to him. He wreaks mayhem in the name of blind faith, unrepentant until the end.
Rounding out the main cast, Evan Evans is effervescent as Clopin. He plays the King of the Gypsies with a mischievous storyteller’s instinct as he gallops across the stage and disappears in clouds of smoke.
Thomas Bowman gives depth and contemplation as Captain Phoebus, slowly waking up to the evil injustice surrounding him, then deciding to do the right thing.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is well-known for its intricate, demanding musical score. The extraordinary Congregation and Choir step up to the challenge with astonishing unity.
Their stunning harmonies vibrate through the walls of the theatre, sometimes a whisper of contempt, often a tidal wave of judgment, a living force shaping the world around the characters. Their earth-shattering rendition of The Bells of Notre Dame, alongside Musical Director David Clausen-Wisken’s orchestra, is a particular highlight.
The steady hand of Kingma’s set design is complemented by Victoria Horne’s vibrant costume design. Sound and lighting by Marcello Lo Ricco and Jason Lord is completely immersive, with dynamic choreography by Melanie Ott.
CLOC Musical Theatre’s victorious take on The Hunchback of Notre Dame is textured, heartfelt, and deeply poignant. Its arrival is also profoundly well-timed. In a world grappling with unrest, their story still feels painfully, urgently relevant.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame asks us to carefully examine who we trust, who we condemn, and who we choose to protect, along with the treacherous path we often take in forming our judgment. It challenges us to stretch the boundaries of our horizons, as we all decide what truly makes a monster, and what really makes a man.
An ambitious, larger-than-life showing – and a feast for the eyes!
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is presented by CLOC Musical Theatre. It runs to 30 May at the National Theatre Melbourne. 20 Carlisle Street St Kilda Vic 3182.
Tickets are available here.
Website: https://www.cloc.org.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/clocmusicaltheatre
Photo credits: Ben Fon
