Lincoln Cathedral will host a production of the Hunchback of Notre-Dame next summer.
It will be a musical version of Victor Hugo’s classic novel, featuring songs from the Disney film of the same name.
The production is being staged by the Starring Lincoln Theatre Company, regular collaborators with Lincoln Cathedral.
Auditions are currently being held for the leading roles of Quasimodo and Esmeralda.
Ben Poole, producer and director at Starring Lincoln, hopes this will be a great opportunity for students to get involved.
‘’I’m sure there’s some talented people at the University that we don’t know about who are looking to get some experience of theatre outside the university, working with talented people from the local community and professionals.’’
He added: ‘’ The parts of Quasimodo and Esmeralda are written for younger people so if there’s anybody who can sing or has a desire to act and tell a story at the University, I’d be really interested in seeing them audition.’’
Starring Lincoln will transport audiences to Paris, 1482, where deformed bell-ringer Quasimodo breaks free from his tyrannous guardian and falls in love with the Romani Gypsy, Esmeralda.
It is believed this will be the first production of Hunchback to be staged inside a cathedral.
This will be especially poignant considering the fire that devastated Notre-Dame in 2019.
Ben said: ‘’It’s a story set in one of the world’s most famous cathedrals. Doing a show about a cathedral actually inside a cathedral is very powerful. Theatrically its very interesting because you don’t have to recreate a cathedral in a theatre space, you create the theatre space in the cathedral.’’
Auditions are open to anyone who wants to get involved.
Ben added: ‘‘The pursuit of making good art brings out a side of people which they don’t always get to express. That’s why we let anybody participate and there’s no boundaries to who can get involved.’’
‘‘This brings out a different experience for the audience, a wild energy.’’
To audition, send a two-minute video of you singing a musical theatre song.
You can click here to find out more. Auditions close 4 June.