How is Quasimodo! holding up against Theater Critics?

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Steven Webb (Quaimodo) and Zoë George (Esmeralda) in Lionel Bart's Quasimodo! picture image

Steven Webb (Quaimodo) and Zoë George (Esmeralda) in Lionel Bart’s Quasimodo!

There have been a lot of reviews published on the new Hunchback of Notre Dame show “Quasimodo!” by Lionel Bart.  The reviews have been mixed. The show was written in 1963 and only performed in workshops. However the show was never actually finished by Bart. The result of this the the show despite being polished and tweaked still feels unfinished.  From reading the reviews it seems like only Quasimodo and Esmeralda get any sense of character develop. Frollo seems to suffer the most as he is given no scenes or solo to make him the key antagonist. However the review really  focus on Esmeralda and Quasimodo as the heart of the show. The review also praise the cast for their enthusiasms and passion for the show. Perhaps the show needs another round of revisions before it’s given a second round on stage because it seems to have good bones.

The song of the show seems to Abracadabra (which is duet between Esmeralda and Gringoire )

(This is the Hunchblog’s 60oth post)

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?