Notre Dame de Paris 2019

It is difficult to overestimate how popular Notre Dame de Paris is in France, leaving audiences in raptures for twenty years. However, the critics were not kind when it was last performed in London back in 2000. Poor translation of the lyrics and a prerecorded backing track seemed to be the main issues. Despite this, the show has been performed all over the world and this new run at the Coliseum will mark its 20th anniversary, this time with a new translation and a live string section.Unfortunately, this is not enough to save a show that often feels dated and self-absorbed.

On the eve of the return of Notre Dame de Paris to London - this time in its original French - I'm looking back to my time behind the scenes during its last few days in Paris. There I spoke to Hiba Tawaji (Esmeralda), who talked about the more challenging aspects of performing, as well as her passion for championing female emancipation.

In 2018, Richard Cocciante and Luc Plamondon's Notre Dame de Paris celebrated its 20th anniversary. The show (billed as 'Un Spectacle musical'), based on the novel by Victor Hugo, began life at the Palais des Congres de Paris and has since toured extensively - including several different translations - as well as frequently going 'home' on various occasions for limited runs. It was last seen in London in 2000, and it returns in a couple of weeks for a short stay at the Coliseum; this time the show will be performed in the original French, with English surtitles, rather than using the previous English translation.