Equity issues statement regarding Hunchback of Notre Dame concert casting

Equity has issued a public statement regarding the lead casting for the forthcoming concert production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The three-show concert staging of the musical, loosely based on the hit Disney film of the same name and featuring numbers from the animated feature, will run this weekend and next at the Prince Edward Theatre in London.

The show, which first opened in Berlin in 1999 under the German name Der Glöckner von Notre Dame, ran for over 1,200 performances. A new version premiered in San Diego in 2014 and has since been produced in the US, Japan, and Germany, but has never been seen professionally on UK shores until now. The National Youth Music Theatre staged a version at Manchester Cathedral in 2021.

In a statement published yesterday afternoon, Equity highlighted the fact that the staging “casts a non-disabled performer in the title role, Quasimodo, arguably one of the most recognisable characters with a disability”.

It goes on to state: “Equity’s policy is to support the casting of a deaf or disabled artist in deaf or disabled character roles. This should be supported by a fair and accessible audition process, and paired with targeted outreach to those artists who have lived experience of the specific disability, impairment, health condition or similar being portrayed.”

On its website, Equity initially said it had “contacted” Jack Maple Productions about the matter. Later versions of the statement noted “constructive discussions” between the union and the producers, before settling on wording that described “positive engagement” – although the nature of those conversations was not disclosed.

Equity’s statement affirmed: “Such a [casting decision] has a detrimental effect on the representation of physically disabled artists in the industry. These artists face structural discrimination when trying to access jobs and careers in the performing arts and entertainment, and do not have equal access to the many roles where disability is not portrayed by the character.”

The lead role of Quasimodo is shared between two performers – Ben Joyce and Oliver Hewing – at every performance. The move mirrors a creative decision first taken in a 2016 staging in Sacramento, which featured a Deaf performer and integrated sign language into the show. The 2025 concerts will also feature BSL interpreters, as well as neurodivergent and Romani performers.

The choice was based on the original Victor Hugo novel’s assertion that Quasimodo became deaf after constantly ringing bells throughout his life, and featured a surrogate singer tackling the score. Similar stagings have since been seen across the world.

Natalie Amber, chair of Equity’s Deaf and Disabled Members Committee, added: “The casting of this role has caused concern and raised many questions from our members. Although the production explores the character’s deaf identity, the physical disability at the centre of Quasimodo’s character – he is ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ – is intrinsic to the story.

“To highlight one facet while overlooking another erases the lived experience of people with physical impairments and is an example of ableism. While we welcome the inclusion of BSL interpreters, neurodivergent, and Romani performers, it is important to recognise that diversity is not a trade-off. Representation of one marginalised group does not excuse the erasure of another.”

Performances are set to take place at the Prince Edward Theatre on Sunday 17 August 2025 at 3pm and 7.30pm. An additional concert will take place on Sunday 24 August 2025 at 6pm.

WhatsOnStage has contacted the show for comment.