More Hunchback Stage Shows & live performances

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Earlier this week I looked at a preview of a stage version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame but this seem to be a trend. In my never ending quest for content I have found lots of articles on up coming Hunchback stage shows.

https://kingsheadtheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873488292/events (The one called Quasimodo was written in the 1960’s  by Lionel Bart who wrote Oliver Musical. It’s now finally being performed. It’s playing March 20th 2013-April 13th)

http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/illinois/education/gchs-students-perform-the-hunchback-of-notre-dame/article_e88fa511-2060-507c-8cf8-2c1d6810fda6.html

http://www.examiner.com/article/foothills-christian-high-school-to-present-updated-version-of-hunchback (this one is modern day interpretation set in a high school)

Plus the one in Gilbert, Arizona that I mention in another post http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/20130103actors-youth-theatre-moving-gilbert.html?nclick_check=1

Also the Roland Petit ballet is gaining popularity. Plus the Ice Skating performances of Meryl Davis & Charlie White, and Yuzuru Hanyu. And Korean singer Iu recorded a cover of Age of the Cathedrals from Notre dame de Paris on her latest album.

So what does this mean? There is an increase of live performances using Hunchback as a source of late? Perhaps, I’m just noticing it more  and there is always  a number of Hunchback performances in the world or perhaps it is gaining popularity? What do you think is this typical or do you think Hunchback is gaining popularity?

The acting in the 1956 version of Hunchback

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Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) & Frollo (Alain Cuny), 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn) & Frollo (Alain Cuny), 1956 The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The acting in the 1956 version of The Hunhcback of Notre Dame much like the characters lacks depth.

However like I said when I first started this version, I’m basing this review on the english dubbed version.

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) and Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) and Quasimodo (Anthony Quinn), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame

The only two actors who spoke their lines in English were Anthony Quinn and Gina Lollobrigida, so the bulk of the characters were dubbed. Which doesn’t help the acting style as there is a disconnect between the action and the vocals.

However the acting isn’t much better in the French version but it’s more natural so it is  slightly better than the dubbed.

 

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) with Phoebus (Jean Danet), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida) with Phoebus (Jean Danet), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame

However, I don’t think the fault of the acting is entirely the actors/voice actors’ fault. I think the script and the director are to blame. I sense little or no joy in the direction of the movie and the script is pretty utilitarian.

Any energy or vibrancy in the performance is the actors trying to eject something into the lines. But overall the acting is underwhelming.

 

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame picture image

Esmeralda (Gina Lollobrigida), 1956 Hunchback of Notre Dame

Next 1956 Article – Costumes

Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame 1956 image picture

Gina Lollobrigida as Esmeralda Hunchback of Notre Dame 1956

High School to perform Hunchback

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On April 18th  2013, The King’s Academy will perform “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Disney collaborated with the school to adapt the movie into a stage show. Now I’m basing this post on the preview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyLZURia7go

 

First off, this is a high school performance so I’m not going to get into the singing or acting. I’ll just say what I find interesting and what I dislike. I will say that the singing is quite good in general .

This stage version seem to very similar to the german Der Glockner Von Notre Dame. Clopin doesn’t have a puppet, Frollo says that Quasimodo will hopefully “think like him” instead be of “use to him”, and Quasimodo sings “God Help the outcast.” Now I mention  in my Glockner review that I hated that Quasimodo is shoe-horned into that song,  depriving Esmeralda of her only solo song. But who knows, maybe she will this version, though I doubt it. My guess is that this show will follow the movie more than Der Glockner did. I can’t imagine a high school production killing Esmeralda but then again, I was in a High School production of Oliver Twist and Nancy dies, so maybe.  Unlike Glockner “The Court of Miracle” remains in the show but I think it doesn’t work with a full chorus that is trying to sound pretty. It should have been a smaller group singing more roughly.

Now some nitpicks, Clopin is pronounce wrong. It’s not “Clo-pin”, It’s “Clo-pan”. Disney got it right but perhaps the kid was nervous. But did he call Phoebus “Edgerick”?  I can’t respond to that? That is so wrong.  Did they change the name and think no one would know?  Who ever wrote shame.  Edgerick? What kind of name is that? Maybe I miss heard that.  Also, I personally don’t care for the chorus’ arm choreography. I get what they’re doing, it’s just silly. ‘

I hope the songs from Glockner are in the show mainly “Someday” and “Esmeralda.”

 

I can’t really review this since it’s a preview as I can’t see the full scope of the show and I really don’t like being overly critical to teenagers who can sing well.

 

If there a full version of play on youtube I will review it  more in depth but as I live no where here  Florida and lack the means to fly there I can’t see it live. But if you do,  visit here from more info. And then tell me all about it ^_~

Fan Art 3/15/13

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Today’s fan-art was done by AnaykhOntheDoor. And there are two of them. I real I like the dark tonality to this and they are the perfect representation of Frollo and Esmeralda.

Hunchback Digital Collage by AnaykhOntheDoor

Hunchback Digital Collage by AnaykhOntheDoor

Hunchback Digital Collage by AnaykhOntheDoor

Hunchback Digital Collage by AnaykhOntheDoor

New Notre Dame de Paris Squidoo lens

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Esmeralda's White Costume, Notre Dame de Paris, picture iamge

Esmeralda’s White Costume, Notre Dame de Paris

It’s been a while since I have made a new Notre Dame de Paris Lens. This time it’s on Esmeralda white costume. I’m not sure if this costume is as polarizing as her green one. But I like it. I found it odd that with how over-the-top the Italian performance is that the white costume is so simple.

Weirder still, I find the World Tour cast choice odd. There is is like two versions of this costume but the dancers where a version that look the costume you seem in practically in every other version.

anyway enjoy

http://www.squidoo.com/esmeralda-white-dress