Graeae are working in collaboration with BBC Radio Drama North on a radical radio dramatisation of Hugo’s classic tale of love, betrayal and moral courage, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a powerful story that has been given pale treatment by Disney et al over the years. Its central characters are strong personalities, all on the margins of society for different reasons, whose paths cross to create a gripping tale of spirituality, truth, beauty and the power of individual faith in historical Paris.

Quasimodo is an iconic literary figure, the hunchbacked deaf outcast, a man of great honour and pure spirit. However, there has been a tendency to romanticise and banalise this leading disabled protagonist. We want to challenge this old fashioned view of disability and premiere an exciting new interpretation of a difficult classic.

Jenny Sealey, Graeae’s Artistic Director, has supported script development and advised on casting. Jenny is deaf and says of the  story; " ...my world is visual and like Quasimodo I live in the safety or danger of my own world of vibrations of sound but I fill the gaps and have endless dialogue with myself trying to perceive the world where everyone is talking..."

The Writers

Alex Bulmer is Graeae's Literary Manager. Her first radio docu-drama was nominated for a New York Radio Award and her first full length play, Smudge, was nominated for Best New Play in Toronto and earned Time Out's Critics Choice in the UK.

Jack Thorne currently has a Radio 3 and a Radio 4 Afternoon Play commission, as well as being one of the lead writers of Shameless series 4 and Skins series 1.

The Cast

We are delighted that David Bower (Four Weddings and a Funeral) will be playing Quasimodo. This is the first time a deaf actor will have played the role in a broadcast piece.

Candis Nergaard will be playing Esmeralda. Candice is a Romany Gypsy who is currently recording Atchin Tan, a Romany radio soap opera for BBC local radio and has appeared in The Bill, Eastenders and Stuart: A Life Backwards.

The play will be directed by Polly Thomas and Susan Roberts.

Where to Listen

The play will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 30th November 2008 and Sunday 7th December 2008 at 15.00.