The company of Musical Theatre Salisbury received a standing ovation on the opening night of its production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The curtain raiser took place on Tuesday (November 22) at St Paul’s Church.

Those whose principal exposure to The Hunchback of Notre Dame story comes from the American animated feature produced by Disney in 1996 will recognise the music but will be surprised at the plot’s closer resemblance to the original Victor Hugo novel than the 90s children’s film.

Hosting the play within the walls of a Gothic-style church allows the entire building to act as the backdrop and setting of the play.

Musical Theatre Salisbury chairman Richard Greathead said: “About six or seven months ago, a 62-year-old [Richard] and a 24-year-old [director Peter McAuley] went around eight churches in Salisbury, the 24-year-old trying to persuade the 62-year-old that actually The Hunchback of Notre Dame would do quite well in one of these churches and when we eventually came here [to St Paul’s Church] we saw it and we could see it happening there.”

Presented on a traverse stage with audience members sitting on each side, there are many times during the performance when both ends of the stage are being used at one time. While looking at the performance taking place to their right, one may notice a fellow audience member facing to the opposite direction to see the action taking place on the left.

Peter said: “No matter where you sit you’ll see a different show. So if you came and saw this show six times you would see six different versions because you’ll see different things at different points.”

Peter said the production includes the biggest cast of any show by Musical Theatre Salisbury for nearly a decade, with over 40 actors on stage and more than 15 other people in non-acting roles.

Peter said: “There’s over 70-80 people now who have come together to put this on.”

The cast includes new faces as well as seasoned actors who have trodden the boards from as far afield as South Africa and Canada.

Adam Darts, who portrayed Quasimodo, said: “It’s been a long trip to get here but a really rewarding one, but today I feel like we have done everything that we were meant to and it really all came together.”

Remaining performances for Musical Theatre Salisbury’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame include a matinee at 1.30pm on November 26, followed by a final performance at 7.30pm that evening. Tickets can be purchased at musicaltheatresalisbury.co.uk/box-office.