This week’s featured Fan Art is by Ferrychick1 and it’s Looney Toons meets Hunchback.
Gypsy Dance by Ferrychick1
Since it’s Friday and January 6th which is the Feast of Fool, It’s a Feast of Fools Fan-Art (or Topsy Turvy Day to you Disney Fans).
This Fan-art is by GenkiTenshi. It’s uses the Feast of Fools as a setting with the characters from Kingdom Hearts Characters; Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy fighting the Heartless (yeah, I’ve played Kingdom Hearts before). This pairing is appropriate because Kingdom Hearts 3: Birth by Sleep, will go into the Hunchback of Notre Dame world.
Topsy Turvy Day by GenkiTenshi
Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
In a nutshell Der Glöckner von Notre Dame follows the plot of the Disney movie. So please forgive me for rehashing the Disney plot, more or less. Also please forgive me, it’s a little hard to review this as I can’t watch the show in it’s entirety.
Act 1
Frollo (Norbert Lamla) with Baby Quasimodo and the Archdeacon Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
Der Glöckner von Notre Dame starts with Clopin dressed as an old Beggar, telling the origin tale of Frollo and Quasimodo, in which a group of Gypsies try to illegally enter Paris and are ambushed by the Minster of Justice, Claude Frollo. One of these gypsies is a mother who attempts to flee and tries to claim sanctuary in Notre Dame but Frollo accidently kills her. The Archdeacon guilts Frollo in taking care of baby who is deformed, Frollo agrees to raise the baby, which he named Quasimodo and hopes he can raise him to think like him.
Quasimodo with Antoine, Charles and Loni Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
Twenty years later Quasimodo is the bell ringer of Notre Dame. Quasimodo is shy, awkward, and is of few words. His only friends are imaginary Gargoyles, Antoine, Charles, and Loni. The gargoyles encourage Quasimodo to venture outside for the Festival of Fools. Frollo visits Quasimodo and tells him that if Quasimodo were to leave he’ll only confront the cruelty of the world but the Gargoyles keep telling him to disobey Frollo. After Frollo leaves, Quasimodo’s desire to spend one day outside wins over his loyalty to Frollo.
Esmeralda and Clopin Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
As the Parisians prepare for the Festival of Fools, Clopin, the King of Gypsies and leader of the Court of Miracles prepares the Gypsies for the festival. A newcomer to the Court of Miracle becomes the focus of their attention. This newcomer is a young dancer named Esmeralda. While this is occurring, Phoebus is returning to Paris and if excited about his new promotion and hoped to get to a little rest and relaxation in this new post. He also takes this time to flirt with a local girl. His flirting is interrupted with a gypsy accused of theft is fleeing. the gypsy pleads their innocence but Frollo arrives of the scene and orders the soldier to arrest the Gypsy. Frollo tells Phoebus he plans on finding the Court of Miracles eliminating the Gypsy.
Quasimodo and Clopin Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
As the Festival begins Quasimodo dresses in a disguise to hide from Frollo’s gaze. However Frollo’s gaze follows to Esmeralda as she dances for the crowd. After her dance, the King of Fools contest starts. Thinking Quasimodo’s face is a mask, Esmeralda pulls him on stage where is he then crowned the King and then the crowd turns on him and he humiliated. Esmeralda helps Quasimodo and openly insults Frollo for his cruelty. Frollo orders Phoebus to arrest her but Esmeralda disappears. Frollo then scolds Quasimodo for disobedience and sends hims back to Notre Dame.
Esmeralda singing Helf den Verstoß'nen Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
Esmeralda follows Quasimodo into Notre Dame but Phoebus catches her in the cathedral and Frollo arrives to arrest her but the Archdeacon orders Frollo to leave because she is protected under sanctuary. Frollo orders guards at every door of the cathedral to ensure that Esmeralda can’t escape. Esmeralda then prays for her people and the down-trodden.
Esmeralda and Quasimodo Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
Esmeralda follows Quasimodo up to the bell tower. Once up there, Esmeralda becomes captivated by the view of Paris. The Gargoyles encourage Quasimodo to talk with Esmeralda. Quasimodo tries a little bit but then in order to repay her kindness he helps her escape. Before leaving Esmeralda gives Quasimodo an amulet which will lead him to the Court of Miracles should he ever need her and she give a kiss on the cheek. After she takes her leave, Quasimodo expresses his tender feelings of love for her while Frollo expresses the torment she brings him and feelings of lust.
Esmeralda saving Phoebus Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
Frollo hears that Esmeralda has fled the cathedral. Frollo asks Quasimodo where she has gone and Quasimodo lies to Frollo by claiming her doesn’t know. Phoebus then realizes Frollo is insane and defies him. Frollo orders Phoebus to be executed but Esmeralda saves him while Frollo and his men begin the search for her by burning Paris to ground. As Phoebus is fleeing he is shot by an arrow and falls into a river.
Act 2
Mob Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
Frollo’s men continue their search while Esmeralda rescues Phoebus and tells him to seek sanctuary at Notre Dame while she returns to the Court of Miracles. Meanwhile the Gargoyles convince Quasimodo that Esmeralda has romantic feeling towards him and is safe from Frollo’s madness. The Archdeacon then bring Phoebus up to the bell tower knowing that Esmeralda is friends with Quasimodo asks him to hide Phoebus.
Quasimodo, Phoebus and the Gargoyles Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
Frollo then turns up at the Bell Tower and finds out that Quasimodo helped her escape. Frollo then tells Quasimodo that he knows the location of the Court of Miracles he plans on attacking at dawn. After Frollo leaves Phoebus asks Quasimodo to help him find the Court of Miracles and warn Esmeralda. Quasimodo refuses to leave the cathedral but Phoebus and the gargoyles tell him about the values of devotion and selflessness, and Quasimodo agrees.
Dance of the Gypsies Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
Quasimodo uses Esmeralda’s amulet to find the Court of Miracles. The Gypsies assume that that they are Frollo’s spies but Esmeralda assures them that they are their friends. Phoebus tells them about Frollo’s plans. Clopin orders the Gypsies to leave. Esmeralda and Phoebus decide to leave the city together while Quasimodo watches them and is heartbroken as Esmeralda prepares to leave with the man she truly loves. However before anyone can flee the Court of Miracles, Frollo’s men show up and arrests everyone and reveals that he followed Quasimodo.
Ann Christin Elverum as Esmeralda singing Einmal Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
Quasimodo is taken back to Notre Dame where he is tied up. The Gargoyles implore him to help Esmeralda but Quasimodo tell them to leave him. Frollo visits Esmeralda in jail and offers her freedom by becoming his women. She tells Phoebus that she would except Frollo’s offer if only to save him but Phoebus tell her to do it for herself but she tells him that a life with Frollo doesn’t seem like living. As Esmeralda awaits her execution she hopes that humanity learns to live in peace.
Molten Lead Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
Esmeralda is tied to the stake and she refuses Frollo and he lights the pyre. Quasimodo seeing Esmeralda in pain rescues her and takes her into the safety of Notre Dame. Frollo’s order an attack on Notre Dame and Phoebus and the other Parisian stand up against Frollo. Quasimodo defends the cathedral with molten lead and as he tells Esmeralda he has won he sees her die. As Esmeralda is dying she thanks Quasimodo for being an good friend. Quasimodo mourns her as Frollo breaks into the room to try to kill him. In a fit of rage Quasimodo throws Frollo off of Notre Dame. The Gargoyles try to console Quasimodo by saying the world is full of good and evil. Quasimodo then carries Esmeralda’s body though the Square with Phoebus by his side. Clopin appears and brings the show full circle and ask what makes a monster and what makes a man.
Quasimodo carry Esmeralda and Phoebus Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
Next Time – Characters of Der Glöckner von Notre Dame Musical
Ann Christin Elverum as Esmeralda Der Glöckner von Notre Dame
These pictures are from the 2011 Kiev concert of Notre Dame de Paris when Garou and Helene Segara performed Ma Maison c’est ta Maison.
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c'est Tu Maison in Kiev
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c'est Tu Maison in Kiev
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c'est Tu Maison in Kiev
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c'est Tu Maison in Kiev
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c'est Tu Maison in Kiev
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c'est Tu Maison in Kiev
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c'est Tu Maison in Kiev
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c'est Tu Maison in Kiev
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c'est Tu Maison in Kiev
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c'est Tu Maison in Kiev
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c'est Tu Maison in Kiev
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c'est Tu Maison in Kiev
Such great chemistry ^^
Here are Two New Video featuring the Asian Tour Cast. The First is an Interview with Matt Laurent (Quasimodo) and Candice Parise (Esmeralda)
http://youtu.be/g1Kc-KnCCqE
The Second is clips from the Show with Features; The Age of the Cathedral, The Refugees, Belle, My Home in the Sky, Bohemienne, The King of Fools, Kidnap Attempt, Torn Apart, and The Word Phoebus
Videos are from the Beijing, China performances. Enjoy
(Personal Fun Fact – I went to China in June 2007 for two weeks with my college, about four hours after landing I broke my foot. X-rays make the best souvenirs )
Diseneycember
So in December 2011 Doug walker ( who plays the insanely Popular Internet Critic Character The Nostalgia Critic on That Guy With the Glasses) reviewed all the Disney Featured Films. And Since I have a Blog about the Hunchback of Notre Dame this gives me the right to do a review of a review, clique I know. So Here we go.
Esmeralda in the dungeon of La Tournelle. Illustration by Burdet
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Louis Boulanger's Illustration of Frollo, Esmeralda and Sachette
The first I noticed that either Walker hasn’t read the book or it’s been a while. First thing he claims the book is “Dark and Twisted.” Now I could I be the twisted one but I don’t find the book that dark or twisted. I mean I guess since main all the characters die and it has a tormented Priest as a main character this qualifies it as “dark” but there are darker books in the world. And dare I say there is a lot of humor. Maybe it’s because it a French story that the darker element stick out and it if were Russian it would fit in. Maybe it’s because people are inclined to thinking the book is of the Gothic Style, which it is not it’s actually Romantic. Anyway the Book will have it’s time here but I disagree with Walker, it’s comparatively darker than some Books but Twisted: No.
Aimé de Lemud Illustration of Phoebus saving Esmeralda from Quasimodo
Esmeralda defying Frollo by helping Quasimodo Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Esmeralda being Tortured
Another thing that made it clear he doesn’t recall the book is the mentioning of the crimes by Esmeralda and Quasimodo. He says that Quasimodo “accidently commits some sort of crime” and he claims that Esmeralda is not arrested for witchcraft. Quasimodo doesn’t accidently kidnapped Esmeralda, Frollo orders him to do it and he does no question. And Esmeralda 100% accused of witchcraft, there was a whole thing in the book where she accused of turning a coin in a dry leave and the tricks she taught Djali which are far more innocent than her trick in the Disney movie. Considering the Kidnapped attempt and Esmeralda’s trail are big portions of the plot I’m not going to let this generalization of Walker’s part go. But then again these scenes are not really in the Disney movie it’s a little forgivable.
Quasimodo as the King of Fools Topsy Turvy Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Illustration of Quasimodo as the Pope of Fools by Edouard de Beaumont 1844
Shock the Priest Topsy Turvy Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Another slight problem with his fact checking is the Feast of Fools, Walker calls it a celebrations of Gypsy but the Feast of Fools was a Festival which akin to April’s Fool. Also he brings up some confusion on the way the Gypsy are portrayed. I think that in his thinking the Feast of Fool tripped him up in this explanation but when he says that Esmeralda say that they’re not all thieves but then there is the Court of Miracle where they keep there stolen stuff. However this a problem of making the Court of Miracles in a Gypsy haven which is not in either the book or actuality. In the book the Court of Miracles is where beggars and thieves lives and some Gypsy live there as well including Esmeralda. In actuality the Court of Miracles is the slums.
Gargoyles A Guy like you Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Walker is a fan of this movie however like me he did hate the Gargoyles. He bring up an interesting point about the Gargoyles being Judgmental and berating each others one looks, which goes against the point of the movie. Walker admits that he could have given the film credit if they were imaginary. The thing is they were supposed to be, if you listen to the commentary that’s what they strived for but they just forgot and there are too many inconsistencies. The film tried they just failed to make that aspect come out.
Molten Lead over Notre Dame Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo groping Esmeralda
Notre Dame of Paris Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Walker likes the look of the movie, how grand everything looks and the shear scope. He likes both Frollo and Quasimodo but really didn’t mention the other character except the Gargoyles. He did mention Esmeralda and Phoebus’ romance being boring. He like Hellfire and The Bells of Notre Dame. He like that the film tackles the issues of faith, Good, Evil, Heaven, Hell and Lust. Which if you’re going to do Hunchback of Notre Dame you need to handle the lust, I mean that drives the plot.
Frollo and Baby Quasimodo during the Bells of Notre Dame Disney Hunch back of Notre Dame
Esmeralda as a fire demon dancing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Frollo singing Hellfire Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Walker admits the film is clunky but on the whole he loves it. He can understand why it wasn’t a be hit and he admires it for the risks it took.
Djali licking Phoebus with Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney
The Old Heretic Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
Clopin, Phoebus and Quasimodo Court of Miracles Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The thing about it is if you’re a fan of Hugo’s book, you can still like it, I think you just have to accept it as a different story, which it is. I’ve commented enough on this version (6 months) but it’s not a bad movie for what it is: a children’s version of Hunchback of Notre Dame, it works, so I agree with Walker, just wished his fact checking had been better. (Though I’m not a big fan of Quasimodo)
Quasimodo reacting to the craziness Topsy Turvy Disney Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Original Troupe of Notre Dame de Paris singing at Bercy
In the second week of December 2011 we (the world) were treated to four performances of Notre Dame de Paris by the original cast/troupe in both Paris and in Kiev. The troupe sang the show in a concert style with a full orchestra and a choir. This marks the second year the troupe has done this but the first year they performed in Paris together since 1999. There were talks of a reunion of the original troupe getting together to perform Notre Dame de Paris since May 2009 when Helene Segara mentioned the prospect in an interview (Click HERE to read that interview).
Notre Dame de Paris Concert Poster
So why did it take them so long reunite? Well it actually it’s the some reason why they have been doing the concerts. Notre Dame de Paris made a lot of the original cast’s careers and they enjoyed a fair amount of popularity from the show. However over the years the cast’s popularity has been waning. Let’s just look at Helene Segara’s music career. When Segara recorded her studio album “Coeur De Verre
Helene Segara and Garou on Stage in Kiev
Now how were the concerts this year? I can’t give a full answer as I couldn’t go to either Paris or Kiev and concerts are one those things that you need to be there for. And watching Youtube videos shot/uploaded by fans who were there is not fair to base an assessment on. However watching videos, I must admit I was a little disappointed. It seems to me that with the Kiev performance the Troupe were pushed into a corner of the stage (by the harp) and just stayed in that corner or the didn’t really move around the stage much. The weird part is that you can tell they want to act the show, Daniel Lavoie (Frollo) does his Frollo posture with stiff hands. It’s a little forgivable because watching the video the Kiev Stage looks small and there is a full orchestra on stage.
Helene Segara performing Bohemienne at Bercy Concert
Which brings me another problem I had, the full orchestra. Yes, orchestras are lovely and provide great energy, but I really don’t care for the arrangement of the songs. I hate to use Segara as an example again but let’s look at Bohemienne as an example. Bohemienne is one of the few upbeat songs in the show. The orchestra at the Bercy concert gave Bohemienne a slower tempo and upped the Middle-Eastren vibe, which I liked (even if it only makes sense because Helene Segara is part Armenian). But the slower pace just makes it seem melancholy, the only thing to saves it is Segara puts the energy back into the song with her performance, even if she is not dancing.
Garou, Daniel Lavoie and Patrick Fiori performing Belle in Bercy
Also one more thing, and this a personal thing, I have an issue with Belle (Staging). The point of Belle is that three men sing about a woman but when the Trio sings it where is the “Belle”, why isn’t Segera on stage? She was on stage last year for the concerts. I mean it’s one thing if the trio is performing on a TV show and Segara is not there but she’s there no excuse, she should have been on stage in some capacity.
Notre Dame de Paris Original Troupe Promo Picture
There are other things I can harp on but I confess that I can forgive my disappoints, because had I been there the thrill of it would eclipsed my critical mind and I would have been lost in the spectacle of it all. It’s very easy to be critical when you’re not there. I do think it wonderful that the Original Troupe has done these concerts. I do hope they will perform the concerts on the other side of the Pond as half the cast are Canadians. I know there were rumors about it last summer but Garou was in Cirque Du Soleil in New York, so that didn’t happen. So we’ll if the Troupe does more concerts in the future, I hope they do.
Patrick Fiori and Julie Zenatti performing Notre Dame de Paris in Bercy
Bruno Pelletier performing Notre Dame de Paris in Bercy
Luck Mervil performing Notre Dame de Paris in Bercy
Garou and Helene Segara performing Ma Maison c’est Ta Maison in Kiev
Julie Zenatti performing Notre Dame de Paris in Bercy
Garou and Patrick Fiori giving Daniel Lavoie a Kiss in Bercy during the Notre Dame de Paris Concert
Helene Segara performing Notre Dame de Paris
Since Christmas is right around the corner: Here’s a Christmas Hunchback Fan-art by Doomimus
Yay for X-mas Chibiness by Doomimus
Awhile ago I was reading The Hunchback of Notre Dame on The Literature Network and I noticed a typo, a funny typo and I took a screenshot,
See if you can find it (it’s not hard to find). Click on the picture!
A Typo in an Online copy of The Hunchback of Notre Dame
and if you can’t find it or you just want to cheat, click here
and yes this typo still exists.
Frollo Hunchback of Notre Dame Disney