Our children in Primaries Four, Five, Six and Seven relished the opportunity to share in that time-honoured tradition of attending a Christmas production in a theatre in the month of December, and ahead of this Christmas time.
Having travelled to the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh to partake of and enjoy what is possibly one of modern musical theatre’s most rewarding shows - ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ - our students and adults alike were inspired by and felt privileged to witness Victor Hugo’s classic novel be brought to the stage in this production, and being moved by the music and story, therein. Our collective admiration and appreciation surely goes to the Hazel Wand Theatre School for this wonderful musical theatrical production, including its creative team, its production and technical staff and, most especially, its inspirational young actors, actresses and musicians - all secondary school students from the greater Omagh area. We convey much appreciation to the staff of the Arts Centre, too, for their kindness and efficiency at all times.
’The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ is, of course, often selected as one of the greatest novels ever written, with much of the story told through the eyes of the title character, Quasimodo, a shunned, deformed and deaf bell-ringer, who lives in the famous and beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and rings its bells. Central to the narrative of his tragic existence, marked by rejection and longing for companionship, is his unwavering devotion to Esmeralda, a beautiful, free-spirited and kind gypsy girl. Indeed, the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris, as one of the most enduring symbols of the French capital city, plays such a vital role in the novel and production, that it can be argued ‘The Hunchback...’ is a story of the cathedral, itself, too. Our children and staff were surely moved by Quasimodo, lonely and sad, pouring out his heart to the gargoyles of the Cathedral, viewing them as his friends, before meeting Esmeralda.
Just a short number of weeks after marking Anti-Bullying Week 2025, it is wonderful to enable our young people have the opportunity to share in this timeless and classic story and production, and help them reflect on its many important themes, including: the importance of not judging others by their appearance; the value of kindness and empathy; self-acceptance and embracing one’s own unique identity; social pressure; the destructive nature of obsession and hatred; and how true spirituality is about love and acceptance, not prejudice.
When we find out at the conclusion of the tremendous production that, many years later, two skeletons - that of a hunchback and that of a woman - are found embracing in Esmeralda’s tomb, the enduring values of love, friendship, acceptance and kindness, remain...
We thank our wonderful girls and boys for your respect, friendship and impeccable behaviour, throughout; your parents and families for your support, as always, and to all of our school staff who organised the day’s events and travelled to Omagh with our young people, ensuring their safety at all times.
