The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Character List and Script Excerpts, Lecture notes of Dance

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THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Character List

(in order of appearance)

DOM CLAUDE FROLLO , Archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral

JEHAN FROLLO , Claude’s reckless younger brother

FLORIKA , a Gypsy

FATHER DUPIN , a priest of Notre Dame and guardian of Claude and Jehan

QUASIMODO , the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame and Claude Frollo’s charge

CLOPIN TROUILLEFOU , King of the Gypsies

PHOEBUS DE MARTIN , Captain of the Cathedral Guard

FREDERIC CHARLUS , Lieutenant of the Cathedral Guard

ESMERALDA , a beautiful and free-spirited Gypsy

KING LOUIS XI , King of France, nicknamed the Prudent

OFFICIAL , an officer of the court of King Louis XI

MADAME , owner of a brothel and safe haven for Gypsies

SAINT APHRODISIUS , a stained-glass image that comes to life

CONGREGATION , an ensemble of storytellers who portray various GYPSIES, GARGOYLES, STATUES, SOLDIERS, REVELERS, PARISHIONERS, PRIESTS, PROSTITUTES and CITIZENS of Paris

CHOIR

CASTING NOTE

A congregation of storytellers narrates The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The designations CONGREGANT, CONGREGANTS, and CONGREGATION are used when the ensemble is narrating individually, in succession or groups, or in unison, respectively. As the play progresses, the ensemble also takes on various roles within the tale, such as GYPSIES, GARGOYLES, and SOLDIERS and moves fluidly among them. Lines or lyrics in these generic roles should be assigned to ensemble members based on your production’s unique cast and staging.

— i —

• P. BARE STAGE ACT ONE
  • ( #1) Olim CONGREGATION, CHOIR
  • (#2) The Bells of Notre Dame (Part 1) CONGREGATION, CHOIR
    • CONGREGATION, CHOIR (#2A) The Bells of Notre Dame (Part 2) FROLLO, JEHAN,
  • (#2B) The Bells of Notre Dame (Part 3) JEHAN, CONGREGATION, CHOIR
    • CONGREGATION, CHOIR (#2C) The Bells of Notre Dame (Part 4) FATHER DUPIN, FROLLO,
  • (#2D) The Bells of Notre Dame (Part 5) FROLLO, CONGREGATION, CHOIR
  • (#2E) The Bells of Notre Dame (Part 6) CONGREGATION, CHOIR
• 1. BELL TOWER
  • (#2F) Fanfare
  • (#3) Sanctuary FROLLO, QUASIMODO
  • (#4) Out There .QUASIMODO
• 2. TOWN SQUARE
  • (#5) Topsy Turvy (Part 1) CLOPIN, QUASIMODO, REVELERS, CHOIR - SOLDIERS, CHOIR (#6) Rest and Recreation PHOEBUS, FROLLO, CLOPIN, REVELERS, - QUASIMODO, CLOPIN (#7) Rhythm of the Tambourine ESMERALDA, PHOEBUS, FROLLO,
  • (#8) Topsy Turvy (Part 2) CLOPIN, ESMERALDA, REVELERS, CHOIR
  • (#8A) The Harrowing
  • (#9) Sanctuary II FROLLO, QUASIMODO
• 3. INSIDE THE CATHEDRAL - PARISHIONERS, CHOIR (#9A) The Bells of Notre Dame (Reprise) ESMERALDA,
  • (#10) God Help the Outcasts ESMERALDA, PARISHIONERS, CHOIR
  • (#11) Transition to the Bell Tower STATUES, GARGOYLES
• 4. BELL TOWER
  • (#11 cont’d) Transition to the Bell Tower STATUES, GARGOYLES - STATUES, GARGOYLES (#12) Top of the World ESMERALDA, QUASIMODO,
  • (#12A) How Dare You
• 5. TAVERN
  • (#13) Tavern Song ( Thai Mol Piyas ) GYPSIES, ESMERALDA, FROLLO
• 6. BELL TOWER
  • (#14) Heaven’s Light QUASIMODO
• 7. PRAYER STALLS
  • (#15) Hellfire FROLLO, PRIESTS, CHOIR
• 8. THE KING’S COURT
• 9. STREETS OF PARIS / OUTSIDE A BROTHEL / BELL TOWER
  • (#16) Esmeralda (Act I Finale—Part 1) COMPANY
  • (#16A) Esmeralda (Act I Finale—Part 2) COMPANY
  • (#17) Entr’acte CHOIR ACT TWO
• 1. BELL TOWER
  • (#17A) Agnus Dei CHOIR - STATUES, GARGOYLES (#18) Flight into Egypt SAINT APHRODISIUS, QUASIMODO,
  • (#18A) Esmeralda (Reprise) FROLLO, CONGREGATION
  • (#19) Rest and Recreation (Reprise) PHOEBUS
• 2. STREETS OF PARIS
  • (#19 cont’d) Rest and Recreation (Reprise) QUASIMODO
  • (#20) The Court of Miracles CLOPIN, GYPSIES
• 3. COURT OF MIRACLES
  • (#20 cont’d) The Court of Miracles CLOPIN, GYPSIES
    • CLOPIN, GYPSIES, CHOIR (#21) In a Place of Miracles PHOEBUS, ESMERALDA, QUASIMODO,
  • (#22) The Bells of Notre Dame (Reprise II) CONGREGATION, CHOIR
• 4. PRISON
  • (#22 cont’d) The Bells of Notre Dame (Reprise II) CONGREGATION, CHOIR
  • (#23) The Assault FROLLO
  • (#24) Someday ESMERALDA, PHOEBUS
• 5. BELL TOWER
  • (#24A) While the City Slumbered CONGREGATION, CHOIR
  • (#25) Made of Stone QUASIMODO, STATUES, GARGOYLES
• 6. TOWN SQUARE / NOTRE DAME
  • (#25A) Judex Crederis CHOIR
  • (#25B) Kyrie Eleison COMPANY
• 7. BELL TOWER
  • (#25C) Top of the World (Reprise) ESMERALDA , CHOIR
    • CONGREGATION, CHOIR (#25D) Esmeralda (Frollo Reprise) FROLLO, JEHAN, FLORIKA,
  • (#26) Finale Ultimo QUASIMODO, STATUES, GARGOYLES
• E. TOWN SQUARE / BARE STAGE
  • (#26 cont’d) Finale Ultimo COMPANY

STANDARD ORCHESTRATION

The orchestration for The Hunchback of Notre Dame requires 14 players, plus conductor , as follows:

Reed 1 Keyboard 1 Reed 2 Keyboard 2 Reed 3 Drums/Percussion Horn Violin 1 Trumpet 1 Violin 2 Trumpet 2 Viola Trombone Cello

— iv —

CONGREGATION

THE BELLS

CONGREGATION, CHOIR

THE BELLS OF NOTRE DAME…

(The CONGREGATION begins to take on various characters in the story.)

FROLLO

Congregants. We gather here, in this vast symphony of stone, on the morning of the Feast of Fools. Our streets will soon be filled with those unsavory elements— criminals, foreigners, and Gypsies—who have infested our city and are on this one day free to roam without being subject to arrest. Beware the temptations of those less devout than we. We must fight the urge to indulge ourselves, for remember, we are all born sinners…

# 2 A — T h e B e l l s o f N o t r e D a m e ( P a r t 2 ) F ro l l o , J e h a n , C o n g re g a t i o n , C h o i r

CONGREGATION

LONG YEARS AGO, DID THIS STORY BEGIN IN THIS PLACE CALLED NOTRE DAME

CONGREGANTS

TWO ORPHANED BROTHERS WERE BOTH TAKEN IN BY THE GRACE OF NOTRE DAME...

CONGREGANT (FROLLO)

CLAUDE THE OLDER, WHO CARED FOR HIS BROTHER

— 2 — T H E H U N C H B A C K O F N O T R E D A M E

CONGREGANT

On the morning of January 6—

CONGREGATION

CONGREGANTS

The good citizens of Paris gathered at the Cathedral— To listen to the sermon—

CONGREGANT (FROLLO)

Of Dom Claude Frollo—

CONGREGATION

Archdeacon of Notre Dame—

CONGREGANTS

Before whom the congregation trembled— As he stalked beneath the lofty arches of the church.

CHOIR

AH

AH

OH

OH

CONGREGANT (JEHAN)

YOUNG JEHAN, FULL OF BEAUTY AND CHARM

CONGREGANTS (FROLLO, JEHAN)

AND THEY LIVED AND THEY GREW AND AWOKE TO THE MUSIC OF BELLS

CHOIR

AH AH AH

CONGREGATION, CHOIR

THE BELLS OF NOTRE DAME...

CHOIR

KYRIE ELEISON…

FROLLO

OH DEAR BROTHER, ‘NEATH THESE ARCHES AND THIS SACRED DOME

CHOIR

KYRIE ELIESON…

FROLLO

WE ARE BLESSED TO FIND OUR SANCTUARY AND OUR HOME…

JEHAN

Come with me, brother—I’m heading into town for a little fun!

FROLLO

Jehan, you must stay home and write out your catechism.

JEHAN

No. You must come with me to the bar.

FROLLO

I am not going to lie for you again if you stay out late.

JEHAN

(laughs and kisses FROLLO on the head)

Yes, you will! Brother, dear, you’re so good to me!

(JEHAN runs out.)

T H E H U N C H B A C K O F N O T R E D A M E — 3 —

FROLLO

(humiliated, pushes FLORIKA away)

Stop!

FATHER DUPIN

(off)

Claude?

JEHAN

It’s Father Dupin. Help me hide her!

(FROLLO and JEHAN hide FLORIKA.)

FATHER DUPIN

What’s going on in here?

JEHAN

Nothing, Father.

FATHER DUPIN

Is it nothing, Claude?

FROLLO

(pause)

Tell him, Jehan.

(pause)

If you won’t, I will.

(JEHAN does nothing. FROLLO reveals FLORIKA.)

# 2 C — T h e B e l l s o f N o t r e D a m e ( P a r t 4 ) F a t h e r D u p i n , F ro l l o ,

CHOIR

KYRIE ELEISON

FATHER DUPIN

YOU MUST LEAVE, JEHAN THIS HOLY REFUGE WHERE YOU’VE DWELLED

CHOIR

KYRIE ELEISON

FROLLO

(shocked)

Leave? But, Father—

T H E H U N C H B A C K O F N O T R E D A M E — 5 —

C o n g re g a t i o n , C h o i r

FATHER DUPIN

SORRY, CLAUDE, BUT I’VE NO CHOICE— YOUR BROTHER IS EXPELLED!

(FATHER DUPIN exits.)

FROLLO

Jehan…

JEHAN

(tears in his eyes)

What did you think? That they wouldn’t send me away? Who do you think these people are?

FROLLO

These people have given us a home, and comfort, and safety—

JEHAN

Comfort?! You call this comfort?! You call this safety?! Well, you can have it. You’re welcome to it!

CONGREGANT (JEHAN)

And Jehan—

CONGREGANT (FLORIKA )

And the girl—

CONGREGANTS (JEHAN, FLORIKA)

Left.

(JEHAN and FLORIKA exit.)

CONGREGANT (FROLLO)

And Frollo didn’t hear from his brother for several years.

CONGREGATION

Meanwhile…

CONGREGANT

FROLLO ASCENDED UNCOMMONLY FAST THROUGH THE RANKS OF

CONGREGATION

NOTRE DAME

CONGREGANT

TILL HE WAS NAMED THE ARCHDEACON AT LAST AND GAVE THANKS

— 6 — T H E H U N C H B A C K O F N O T R E D A M E

(FROLLO)

YOUR SANCTUARY HEALING YOU WILL BE MY GOAL NOT JUST YOUR BODY, BUT YOUR SOUL WE’LL BE TOGETHER IN OUR HOLY SANCTUARY—

JEHAN

Enough, Claude. Enough with your pieties. It’s too late for me, anyway. But if you’ve truly discovered charity at this late date, there’s someone you can help.

(The GYPSY brings the baby to FROLLO.)

FROLLO

A baby…?! Yours?

(sees the baby’s deformed face)

A monster. It is God’s judgment on you. The wicked shall not go unpunished.

JEHAN

I should have known. I was a fool to think you would look after him.

FROLLO

Look after him? Me?

JEHAN

He has nobody else.

FROLLO

But he is a Gypsy child!

JEHAN

And mine. Take him, if you can find it in your heart.

(JEHAN dies.)

FROLLO

Jehan? Jehan!!!

(The baby cries. FROLLO takes the baby in his arms and brings him to Notre Dame.)

CONGREGATION MEN, CHOIR MEN

DIES IRAE

CONGREGATION WOMEN, CHOIR WOMEN

DIES IRAE

CONGREGATION MEN, CHOIR MEN

DIES ILLA

— 8 — T H E H U N C H B A C K O F N O T R E D A M E

CONGREGATION WOMEN, CHOIR WOMEN

DIES ILLA

CONGREGATION, CHOIR

SOLVET SAECULUM IN FAVILLA AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH KYRIE ELEISON

(Just outside the Cathedral, FROLLO contemplates throwing the baby into the river.)

CONGREGATION

AND THE SAINTS REGARDED FROLLO FROM THEIR STONE FAÇADE

CHOIR

KYRIE ELEISON

CONGREGATION

AND HE FELT THEIR GAZE AS IF IT WERE THE EYES OF GOD

FROLLO

Oh Lord, you have sent me a test. This child is my cross to bear. I may not have saved my brother, but I will save this—thing. But a monster like this must be kept hidden. SEE THIS LOATHSOME CREATURE FROM WHOM LESSER MEN WOULD FLEE… I WILL KEEP AND CARE FOR HIM AND TEACH HIM AT MY KNEE TO THINK LIKE ME…

# 2 E — T h e B e l l s o f N o t r e D a m e ( P a r t 6 ) C o n g re g a t i o n , C h o i r

CONGREGANTS

And Frollo gave the child a name— A cruel name that means—

CONGREGATION

“Half-formed”—

FROLLO

Quasimodo.

T H E H U N C H B A C K O F N O T R E D A M E — 9 —

SCENE ONE: BELL TOWER

(QUASIMODO jumps up and rings the bells, speaking to them.)

QUASIMODO

Marie! You’re in very good voice today! Jacqueline, we need to fix your clapper! Go on, Gabrielle! Pour your flood of sound into the square! It’s a holiday! Sing! My bells, sing till you are all quite out of breath!

(The bells toll as QUASIMODO looks outside.)

Morning, my little birdies!

(The CONGREGATION assumes the roles of various STATUES and GARGOYLES in

the bell tower, Quasimodo’s “friends.”)

GARGOYLE

Don’t you wish you could be like those birds and just fly away?

QUASIMODO

(laughs at the thought)

Me? No!

STATUE

But how wonderful it must be out there!

QUASIMODO

No, not for me!

GARGOYLES

Why not?

QUASIMODO

Too dangerous.

STATUE

The boy is right. Don’t encourage him.

GARGOYLE

Why shouldn’t we?

CONGREGANTS

For Quasimodo, the Cathedral was not only his home, but his universe. It was peopled with figures of marble— With kings and saints— Monsters and demons. The saints blessed him. And the monsters protected him.

T H E H U N C H B A C K O F N O T R E D A M E — 1 1 —

QUASIMODO

Today is the Feast of Fools!

STATUE

Quasimodo, why don’t you try going down there?

QUASIMODO

Yes, but… you know I’ve never gone outside.

GARGOYLE

You can leave anytime you want.

STATUE

Master won’t allow it.

QUASIMODO

Last year, he said, “Someday… maybe.”

GARGOYLE

He always says “someday”—never “today”!

STATUE

Besides, you shouldn’t have to ask for permission to go outside. Just put one foot in front of the other…

QUASIMODO, STATUES & GARGOYLES

And sneak out!

QUASIMODO

I can’t!

FROLLO

(offstage)

Quasimodo...?

(enters carrying a basket with breakfast for QUASIMODO)

Good morning, Quasimodo.

QUASIMODO

Morning, master…

[NOTE: When QUASIMODO speaks to humans—as opposed to expressing his inner

thoughts to the STATUES and GARGOYLES—he speaks haltingly and with much

effort.]

FROLLO

Were you talking to someone?

QUASIMODO

N–no. Just my— friends.

— 1 2 — T H E H U N C H B A C K O F N O T R E D A M E

QUASIMODO

Th–thank you, master.

(QUASIMODO devours the strawberry.)

FROLLO

Shall we tell today’s story?

QUASIMODO

(eagerly)

Yes, yes!

FROLLO

Stories from our home’s beautiful statues. And we were up to…

QUASIMODO

Flight into Egypt!

FROLLO

That’s right. And what do you remember about that story?

QUASIMODO

J–J–Joseph fled to Egypt—

FROLLO

With his wife Mary and…?

QUASIMODO

B–baby J–Jesus…

FROLLO

Yes, and who hid them? Who protected them?

QUASIMODO

Saint Aphro— Aphro—

FROLLO

Aphrodisius. Saint Aphrodisius—as I have hidden and protected you.

# 2 F — F a n f a r e

(A sound of trumpets and commotion is heard offstage. FROLLO sighs.)

(FROLLO)

Ah, well, I suppose I must stop stalling. Look at them down there… like horrible vermin scuttling about. And all to see the Gypsies sing and dance!

QUASIMODO

Gypsies…? You told me Gypsies are not allowed to… sing and dance.

— 1 4 — T H E H U N C H B A C K O F N O T R E D A M E

FROLLO

They aren’t, except on this one day. The Feast of Fools!

QUASIMODO

Feast of Fools!

FROLLO

This will be the last time, if I have anything to say about it.

QUASIMODO Last time…?

FROLLO

I’ve petitioned the King to stop next year’s festival.

QUASIMODO

(to himself)

Then I can never go…

# 3 — S a n c t u a r y F ro l l o , Q u a s i m o d o

FROLLO

Why our King allows the Gypsies here is beyond me! THROUGH BORDERS POROUS AS A SIEVE WE LET THEM COME AND LET THEM LIVE IT’S ALMOST AS IF THEY WERE GIVEN SANCTUARY HOW IT FILLS ME WITH DISGUST TO WALK AMONG THEM – YET I MUST I LOATHE TO LEAVE YOU AND OUR TRUSTY SANCTUARY...

QUASIMODO

(carefully)

What if… if I came with you… I’m strong. I could protect you.

FROLLO

(laughs)

You protect me?!

QUASIMODO

Yes, like the Saint—Saint Aphro—

FROLLO

Saint Aphrodisius.

T H E H U N C H B A C K O F N O T R E D A M E — 1 5 —