Notre Dame de Paris

Since premiering in Paris, France in September 1998, Notre Dame de Paris has attracted audiences of more than 4 million in France alone and has broken box office records in Canada, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and South Korea. It has surpassed 10 million spectators and has combined sales of soundtrack and original cast albums sold of 10 million units.

Notre Dame de Paris has been staged over 4000 times in 20 other countries, including Italy, Great Britain and the United States, receiving standing ovations every night.

Faithful to Victor Hugo’s classic novel Notre Dame de Paris, the show tells the emotionally–charged story of the unfortunate bell ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the hunchback Quasimodo, and his hopeless devotion to the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda. Phoebus, the untruthful soldier, and Frollo, the priest torn between his faith in God and his desires, will compete for Esmeralda’s love. Meanwhile, Clopin, the leader of the refugees or underclass, and Gringoire the poet will try to save Esmeralda.
The musical spectacular is the creation of lyricist Luc Plamondon and composer Richard Cocciante, who have both won numerous awards for their work, and is directed by Gilles Maheu. The English lyrics were written by Will Jennings, Oscar-winner for ‘My heart Will Go On’ from the smash-hit film Titanic.
‘It’s a well-known story which stands up on its own and doesn’t need to be explained. That’s why there area at least a dozen films based on the Victor Hugo novel, from the silent era to the recent Disney animation,’ said Luc Plamandon.
Reminiscent of The Beauty and the Beast and preceding The Phantom of the Opera, Notre Dame de Paris remains a poignant and powerful story with some of the interwoven storylines being more relevant today than ever: asylum-seekers, racism, the role of religion, the fear of the unknown and man’s place in an ever-changing world.
Riccardo Cocciante‘s beautiful melodies will leave a long–lasting impression on local audiences. Featuring more than 54 vivid arias of operatic beauty and rock resonance, the characters are brought to life through stunning vocal performances and visual spectacle – courtesy of the show’s seven principal artistes and 24 dancers and acrobats.
The show features acrobatic contemporary choreography by Martino Muller, renowned modern dance visionary, contrasting with a beautiful love story and providing moments to create an audience experience reminiscent of French circus. Dancers appear to be flying across the stage under fantastic arcs, freely incorporating gymnastics, contemporary and even break–dance moves into their repertoire – one moment whirling across the stage in a series of pirouettes, and the next tumbling from a bungee rope high above.
The show was presented on a grand scale at the MasterCard Theatres in Marina Bay Sands. The modern impressionistic stage set featured a 12–metre ‘climbing wall’ representing the façade of the great cathedral of Notre Dame as well as the famous Bastille prison in Paris. This amazing edifice is also the platform for a series of stunning acrobatic routines that leave the audience breathless.
Notre Dame de Paris, the musical spectacular, stands out because of the masterful staging and artistic integrity of director Gilles Maheu, who has revived the 170-year–old story with contemporary touches and deft inspiration incorporating choreographies by Martino Muller and costumes designed by Fred Sathal and sets by Christian Ratz.
The English–language album, featuring the main stars of the London production, also features guest star Celine Dion singing ‘Live for the One I Love’.
Hit musical, rock-show, opera, concept-album or gothic melodrama, Notre-Dame de Paris retains traditional theatrical elements while using modern staging techniques and choreography to present eternal, universal, mythical tales and themes.

About Notre Dame de Paris

• First opened at the Palais des Congres in Paris in September 1998
• Based on the novel Notre Dame de Paris, written by Victor Hugo in 1831
• Sell-out tours in France, Canada, England, Switzerland, Russia, Spain, America, Italy, Monaco
• 4,000 performances in over 20 countries in front of more than 10 million people.
• The most sensational and successful musical in France, Italy, Belgium and Russia
• Taking Europe by storm, Notre Dame de Paris opened in London at the Dominion Theatre on 23 May 2000, following previews which opened on 15 May 2000.
• According to the Guinness Book of Records, Notre Dame de Paris still holds the record as the show with the most successful first year of any musical ever produced.