Abla Alaoui (Miss Saigon, Elisabeth, Tanz Der Vampire) has recently finished playing Esmeralda in the Viennese production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In my interview with the actress below, Alaoui reveals her feelings about The Hunchback of Notre Dame, its fascinating journey to the stage, and the importance of playing such an iconic character today.
Abla Alaoui Interview
Hunchback’s journey to the stage has been so fascinating since its start in Germany in 1999. Did you ever see the original version and how did you react when you heard
about this new version of the show?
ABLA: Unfortunately, I never saw the original production. Drew Sarich (Quasimodo in the 1999 production), with whom I was fortunately already allowed to share many stage moments, was supposed to have been great. From what I’ve heard, the two versions are very different from each other. While the original production had more classic Disney elements, today’s version is much more theatrical, intense, and puts an even sharper focus on the characters’ personalities and motives. I find this approach to telling Quasimodo’s story more substantial and appropriate to the seriousness of the whole subject.
Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s music holds such a special place in many
people’s hearts. What’s your favourite song to sing in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and why?
ABLA: I get goosebumps every time my colleagues from the choir and ensemble sing “Hilf den Verstoßnen (God Help The Outcasts)” with me. I also enjoy being able to sing “On Top Of The World” every day with our three Quasimodos and my colleagues from the ensemble. It is a very special scene where Quasimodo and Esmeralda get to know and like each other. For a brief moment, Quasimodo and Esmeralda find themselves in a safe haven. “Out There” is what takes me back to my childhood the most.
So much of this version of Hunchback is darker than the Disney film. What would you
say to people who are curious about it?
ABLA: The original book by Victor Hugo and Disney film are very different. Even though The Hunchback of Notre Dame is probably the darkest film Disney has produced, some details and incidents from the original book were changed. After all, the film is primarily for children. Nevertheless, Disney fulfilled its educational duties. Our play is strongly based on the original book, and tells the story with a bit more seriousness and is less careful to conceal the brutality of racism against Roma and Sinti.
Why do you think The Hunchback of Notre Dame remains such a popular story today?
ABLA: It’s because of the everlasting relevance of the topic. Not only are the Sinti and Roma being discriminated – all over the world, people are excluded, condemned and considered inferior because of their origin or their appearance. I think a lot of people can relate to the characters in our show. Some on the perpetrator’s side and some on the victim’s side.
But no matter which side they find themselves on, they all agree in one thing: the injustice inflicted on Quasimodo and Esmeralda is more and more unbearable by the minute. People are so touched by the ending because there is an incredible amount of truth in it.
What has been the most challenging and fun part of bringing Esmeralda to life?
ABLA: The biggest challenge for me is to allow the emotions of Esmeralda show after the show. It is not easy to be insulted, spat on, abused and finally killed every day. For such a story to be authentically brought to the stage, it is the job of an actress to truly feel the emotions of her role. I had to learn how to neutralise my feelings after the show and not take the work home with me. Esmeralda’s dance solo was also a bit of a challenge. I am a singer and actress, and would not call myself a dancer. But by now I’m having an absolute blast dancing with my tambourine.
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