‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ opens at Boyle Musical Society this week

The stage is set for the entertainment highlight of the year as Boyle Musical Society's production of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' opens on November 22  in St. Joseph's Hall. 

In the twelve weeks since rehearsals began, the cast, committee, crew and production team have spent every moment ensuring this will be their most outstanding and memorable show. 

Based on the Victor Hugo novel with songs from the Disney animated feature, 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' showcases the film's Academy Award-nominated score, along with new songs by the composers Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. 

Peter Parnell's new book embraces the story theatre genre and features verbatim passages from Hugo's gothic novel.

The story begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound out through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo (played by Oisín Dowling) is the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be set free as he watches from his lonely tower while all of Paris revels in the Feast of Fools.

Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo (Darragh Beirne), he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda (Natasha Brady). 

Quasimodo is captivated by her free spirit, but he isn't the only one, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus (Sean McGuire) and the cruel Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the Roma – and it's up to Quasimodo to save them all.

Pictured: Emily Rooney, Stephanie Quinn, Majella Gaffney, Niamh O'Connor, Deborah Kehoe. Front Catherine Bolger, Ceara Conlon and Lizi Hannon.

'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' has a sweeping score and a powerful story, and audiences will be swept away by the magic of this truly unforgettable musical.

The 55-member cast, one of the biggest in Boyle Musical Society's history, will be joined by other principal players, including Jason Kenny, who will play Clopin Trouillefou, while John Reynolds will take on the role of St. Aphrodisius.

Supporting principals are Diarmuid Beirne (Jehan Frollo), Kate Connelly (Florika), Stephen Tighe (Father Dupin), Karen Gordon (Florika's Ghost), Conor White (Frederic Charlus), Skyler O'Flaherty (King Louis XI) and Cathal Tivnan (Official).

Playing the Gypsy and Parisienne population are Emma Kilkenny, Marie Reynolds, Lisa Hogan, Ailbhe Conlon, Sinead McCarthy, Aoife Larkin, Kelly Kerrane, Catriona Casey, Marina Furey, Gordon Ryan and Nicolas Bondo.

Gargoyles, Statues and Tavern Dancers will be played by Lizi Hannon, Ceara Conlon, Catherine Bolger, Majella Gaffney, Stephanie Quinn, Laurina Brennan, Deborah Kehoe, Niamh O'Connor, Emily Rooney, Ash Galway, Fiona Drury, Rebecca Wynne and Deirdre Feeney.

'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' is renowned for its atmospheric choral score, and the cast will be augmented on stage by a choir including Rhona McGrath, Mary Doyle, Fiona Keenan, Cathy Garavan, Mena Doherty, Maria Fallon, Juliane Wothe, Amanda Moor, Valerie Casey, Deirdre Sheahan, Josephine Carroll, Heather Lyons, Melissa Collins, Siobhán Talbot, Olivia McHugh, Liam McNamara, Conor Lawlor and Christopher O'Connor.

Boyle Musical Society is fortunate to have two very talented ladies making up the production team. 

In her tenth year as Director, Vivienne Moran continuously directs shows for schools and runs workshops. Her warm personality, creative flair and mentoring strengths have allowed both cast and crew to flourish in their roles again this year. Vivienne is also a Creative Arts Coordinator with Brothers of Charity Roscommon.

The Musical Director, Anne Kielty, has an abundance of experience in musical theatre and choral work, and she brings her teaching experience and love of music to Boyle Musical Society, where she works tirelessly with soloists and the chorus to produce the best vocals and harmonies for the stage. Anne is also a rehearsal pianist and chorus mistress, and she only recently retired as a music teacher at St. Nathy's College.

'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' is a show for all the family, and it will open in St. Joseph's Hall this Wednesday, November 22, and will continue until Saturday, November 25, at 8pm nightly. 

Tickets are priced at €20, with concessions available for the Wednesday performance.

Tickets are available from 10am to 4pm at the Únabhán Craft Shop beside King House and can also be booked by telephone on 071 9663033 during booking office hours only.

For further information, please visit www.boylemusicalsociety.com or follow Boyle Musical Society on Facebook and Instagram.

Preview by Brendan McGee.