Meet the Cast of The Hunchback of Notre Dame
By Noeli Jesudas
As the Workshop Players bring The Hunchback of Notre Dame to the stage, we meet one half of the two cast ensembles taking on the production’s lead roles. Behind every character is a performer with a story of their own. From seasoned actors and lawyers to musicians and performers from beyond Sri Lanka, this cast brings together a diverse mix of stories, experiences and perspectives for the Workshop Players’ latest production. Featuring performances from 9–18 October at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, The Hunchback of Notre Dame brings Victor Hugo’s timeless story to life on a grand scale. Meet the actors behind the characters and discover what drew them to the stage.
Rehan Almeida [Quasimodo] - You’veN had an incredible run playing Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. What made you want to take on The Hunchback of Notre Dame and more specifically the role of Quasimodo in it?
My journey with the Workshop Players (WSP) has been an adventure and a blessing indeed! Jesus Christ Superstar is one of my fondesr memories for sure, but it really is one of many. True, it's been quite a hiatus of 11 years since returning to a full length production with WSP, but it really feels like a now or never moment.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, has always been an adventure that never happened. Twice over, there were whispers of it being staged in Sri Lanka as a full length amateur production, and twice over I was told to look at the role of Clopin. It excited me, as it was the first time that I was being considered for a full on singing role. So in that sense, it really has been a bucket list item that I never thought would be checked.
I never thought that I would be a contender for Quasimodo through those previous endeavours, so when I was told to consider it for this production, my initial reaction was to say no - I don't think I can manage it. But I knew it would be a challenge, the most physically challenging role I would have played and a role very different from those that I have played before. This opportunity has also come through at a challenging point of life, so I chose to take up the challenge. I just hope and pray that I can do justice to Quasi!
Kanishke Herat [Dom Claude Frollo] - Frollo is not necessarily a character audiences will immediately sympathise with. What interested you about taking him on?
What interests me about Frollo is that he’s quite a complex character to portray. Whilst having his religious convictions and beliefs, he’s also hypocritical, diabolical having an evil side, fanatical for his desires for Esmeralda. To portray the above and sing the songs he has in the musical is quite exciting!
Daniella Perera [Esmeralda] - Esmeralda is one of the strongest emotional centres of the story. What was it about her that immediately connected with you?
From a sentimental perspective, Esmeralda was one of the first feisty female characters I watched on tv as a child. The cartoon depiction of her was absolutely stunning, her appearance, costume, voice, dancing, and especially her hair. Oh, her hair was everything I ever wanted mine to be. These memories were, naturally, my first point of connection and attraction to her character.
On a deeper level, however, once I began really dissecting her character for the show, I was surprised by how relatable she was to me personally. Sure, She is self-assured, spunky, and confident, but beneath that exterior there is also a fear of vulnerability that compels her to lower her expectations, not only of the people around her, but also of what she allows herself to hope for.
I found it particularly interesting to approach her character from this perspective, especially when she is placed in situations that give her the opportunity to lower her guard and let people in. Those moments, to me, are what make her character feel so human and compelling.
Joel Alfonso [Captain Phoebus de Martin] - You live in the south of Sri Lanka and are now taking on a major role in a Sri Lankan theatre production. How did you eventually find your way into the Workshop Players and playing a romantic lead?
Honestly, it was one of those very Sri Lankan “why not?” moments!
I had been missing theatre and being on stage for a long time, and after years away from doing anything musically, I remember saying to myself, “You know what? It’s not too late.”
Then, just a few days before the audition, Mayanthi now also in the cast told me about the Workshop Players audition. I didn’t know the Workshop Players, I hadn’t seen The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and I certainly wasn’t expecting to walk into an audition and come out as a romantic lead!
But I decided to approach it with a completely beginner’s mindset. No expectations, no trying to prove anything just show up, be open, and see what happens.
So I trusted the timing, went for it, and somehow here I am playing Phoebus!
It honestly feels like one of those unexpected Sri Lankan adventures where you take one little step and suddenly you’re on a completely different journey. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity, for this cast, and for the Workshop Players, and I absolutely cannot wait to step onto that stage and share this story with everyone.
So from “It’s not too late” to “Phoebus at your service!” it’s been quite a ride Sri Lanka
Dhashen Musafar [Clopin Trouillefou] - What does it mean to play a character who is both part of the story and, in a way, responsible for telling it? Do you feel like you have a different relationship with the audience compared to the rest of the cast?
Being a part of the story in itself is such an amazing privilege, but being allowed to reach out to the audience and bridge the two worlds together is such a beautiful thing to be responsible for. I feel like it’s much more personal in terms of the relationship Clopin gets to have with everyone watching because I get to have moments in which I actually acknowledge their presence, which is pretty cool. So please keep your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the vehicle at all times and I'll see you in 1482.
