[On Stage] 'Notre-Dame...' and 'Wicked' Deliver Overwhelming Visual Effects from the Opening Scene

The musicals 'Notre-Dame de Paris' and 'Wicked', both recognized as masterpieces, captivate the audience from the very first scene. The main power lies in their vertical visual effects.

In the opening scene of 'Notre-Dame de Paris', a massive gargoyle placed atop a pillar approximately 5 meters high moves vertically, immediately drawing the audience's attention. In 'Wicked', the protagonist Glinda descends from the sky riding a bubble, enchanting the viewers.

Human vision is accustomed to horizontal movement. This is because our eyes are set side by side horizontally, and humans, unable to fly, move across the ground in a horizontal direction. Naturally, objects moving vertically on stage create a much stronger visual impact than those moving horizontally.

'Notre-Dame de Paris': Overwhelming Visuals with Majestic Gargoyles and Bells

Musical 'Notre-Dame de Paris' performance scene
Photo by Mast International

Musical 'Notre-Dame de Paris' performance scene
Photo by Mast International

'Notre-Dame de Paris' begins with the troubadour Gringoire singing the famous number "The Age of the Cathedrals." While the audience's ears are focused on Gringoire's song, their eyes are fixed on the three grand pillars behind him. Atop the far-left pillar, a gargoyle larger than a person slowly descends, capturing attention. At the climax of "The Age of the Cathedrals," two more hidden gargoyles emerge from the tops of the two left pillars, sending the visual impact to its peak.

The enormous bell that appears early in the second act is also a highlight. Dancers hang from the bell, which is larger than themselves, and present a dazzling spectacle with their breathtaking choreography in midair.

'Wicked': Glinda's Bubble Entrance Steals the Show

In 'Wicked', Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, descends slowly on a bubble, leading the audience into a world of fantasy. This scene is depicted exactly the same way in the 'Wicked' movie released earlier this year.

As Glinda comes down, the stage fills with bubbles, some of which spill over into the audience. Instantly, the viewers are reminded of their childhood days chasing bubbles, immersing themselves in a fairy tale-like story.

It is interesting that both works, which begin with vertical visual effects, ultimately deal with stories about horizontal human relationships. Both musicals feature the punishment of a figure at the pinnacle of power.

In 'Notre-Dame de Paris', the character with the greatest power is Frollo, the priest of the cathedral. Frollo orders Captain Phoebus of the guards to prevent gypsies and vagrants from entering Paris. This behavior is reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently sparked controversy at Hyundai Motor Company and LG Energy Solution in Georgia by vowing to deport immigrants.

Frollo, having fallen for the gypsy woman Esmeralda by chance, abandons his religious and moral convictions as a priest, revealing his unrestrained desire and obsession for her. He frames Esmeralda, imprisons her, and warns that she will be hanged if she does not choose him. Ultimately, Frollo loses his life at the hands of Quasimodo, the cathedral bell-ringer, who holds the lowest status in the story.

Musical 'Wicked' Performance Scene [Photo by S&Co, (c) Jeff Busby]

Musical 'Wicked' performance scene [Photo by S&Co, (c) Jeff Busby]

The highest authority in 'Wicked' is the Wizard of Oz. While the Wizard is known to the public as a great figure, in reality, he is a fraud with no magical powers. Despite lacking magic, the Wizard is a self-deceptive character who believes that his authority maintains social order among the ignorant masses. To solidify his power base, the Wizard summons Elphaba, who possesses exceptional magical abilities, to the Emerald City. However, after discovering the Wizard's true nature, Elphaba confronts him and ultimately expels him from Oz. For Elphaba, who was born with green skin and faced discrimination even from her own parents, Oz, who wields power to control and oppress society, is an unacceptable figure.

Elphaba also shows her anger when Professor Dillamond, a goat, loses his professorship and his voice to humans and is confined to a cage. 'Wicked' begins with Glinda's descent from the sky and ends the first act with Elphaba soaring into the air on a broomstick, creating a scene of contrasting movements by the protagonist. The beginning and end of Act 1 are handled with the protagonist's opposing actions, creating a sense of horizontal balance that is intriguing.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Korean premiere, the French original tour cast of 'Notre-Dame de Paris' is currently performing at the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts until September 27. The original international cast of 'Wicked' has also returned to Korea for the first time in 13 years since its Korean premiere. After performances at the Blue Square Shinhan Card Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul until October 26, the show will continue in Busan and Daegu. In Busan, it will be staged at the Dream Theatre from November 13 to December 5, and will open at the Keimyung Art Center in Daegu in January next year.