After winning the audience's applause at the Great Hall of the People, the internationally-acclaimed musical, "Notre Dame de Paris", adapted from the French writer Victor Hugo's masterpiece, is coming to thrill Shanghai.
The modern interpretation of the century-old romance is the highlight of the musical.
The creative ideas of the director Gilles Maheu are expected to astound the audience.
Viewers prepared for traditional musicals will find this production to be courageously innovative.
Instead of using microphones, the singers will wear headsets, an alternative only seen at pop concerts previously.
The music, which cleverly blends pop with Bohemian music, is composed by Richard Cocciante. It will be played very loud, which is humorously claimed to have the magical effect of preventing the audience from falling asleep.
The modern-hued costumes will also seize the audience's attention immediately, though some may argue the costumes do not conform well to the times the characters were living in.
Gilles Maheu said: "The performance stage is like a building on fire. People fight against hurricane and storm and at the same time, experience the power and the danger life brings to us."
Shirel Manson will play the enchanting and pathetic heroine Esmeralda, while Jerome Collect, a versatile singer will act as Quasimodo.
7:15pm, January 22-26
Shanghai Grand Theatre
300 Renmin Dadao
Tel: 5353-0731, 5466-0260,
6372-8701,
200-1,200 yuan, 1,500 yuan (VIP)
(Shanghai Star January 13, 2003)
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