TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The classic French musical Notre-Dame de Paris is returning to Taiwan for its 25th anniversary tour, with performances scheduled in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung.
The musical will run March 6-16 at Taipei Music Center for 12 performances. It will then move to National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts March 21-30 for nine shows, followed by National Taichung Theater April 3-6 for seven performances.
Since its Paris premiere in 1998, Notre-Dame de Paris has been translated into nine languages and performed in over 23 countries. This tour marks the first time the musical will be staged in Taiwan’s national performing arts venues.
The production features Angelo Del Vecchio as Quasimodo, John Eyzen as Gringoire, and Flo Carli as Phoebus. Elhaida Dani will portray Esmeralda, Emma Lepine takes on the role of Fleur-de-Lys, Jay plays Clopin, leader of the Romani people, and Jerome Collet and Solal will both star as archdeacon Frollo.
The musical is adapted from Victor Hugo's famous novel. The story is set in 15th-century Paris, revolving around the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral.
The narrative centers on Esmeralda, a beautiful gypsy girl, and her complicated relationships. She interacts with four men from different social backgrounds, Frollo, a high-ranking archdeacon, Phoebus, the captain of the guard, Gringoire, a poet, and Quasimodo, the hunchback bell-ringer.
Esmeralda quickly falls in love with Phoebus. Though engaged to Fleur-de-Lys, Phoebus desires both women.
Frollo, despite his religious vows, also develops a strong attraction to Esmeralda. Quasimodo, who was raised by Frollo, harbors his love for Esmeralda but keeps it hidden, ashamed of his deformity.
The musical is set against a backdrop of a troubled feudal society, depicting the intense conflicts between the characters. It explores the contrasting aspects of human nature with themes of good versus evil and loyalty versus betrayal.
Collet, who portrays the tormented archdeacon Frollo, said he has dedicated significant effort to immersing in the role. Understanding Frollo’s psychological complexity required deep analysis.
Extensive practice allowed him to refine his portrayal, while collaboration with fellow cast members added depth to his performance. This process helped him fully convey Frollo’s inner conflict, torn between faith, desire, and moral anguish, Collet said.
Del Vecchio, who takes on the role of Quasimodo, faced both physical and emotional challenges in his preparation. The role demands maintaining specific postures throughout the performance, adding to the physical strain, Del Vecchio said.
The most difficult aspect was conveying Quasimodo’s emotional depth of loneliness, inner turmoil, and silent longing. These raw emotions, which define the character, required careful interpretation to bring his pain and vulnerability to life on stage.
The performances will feature Chinese subtitles only.
