Bookend Productions to launch with epic rendition of Disney classic with over 100 performers
Over 100 UK performers have joined forces to remotely record “The Bells of Notre Dame”, the opening number from Disney’s iconic animated film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
The collective features a mix of West End and UK performers, and recent performing arts graduates, all of whom recorded their individual parts from their homes to comply with Covid-safe guidelines. The recordings were then mixed together to create the final performance, which will be available to view free of charge very soon.
With musical direction by Jordan Li Smith (City of Angels, Ragtime), lead vocals are provided by Matt Bateman (The Phantom of the Opera) as Clopin, Lee Van Geleen (Only Fools and Horses) as Frollo and Luke McCall (Les Miserables) as the Arch Deacon.
The extensive ensemble includes West End Best Friend’s Creative Director, our very own Duncan Burt (Friendsical!), Rebecca Gilliland (Wicked), Sabrina Aloueche (We Will Rock You), Sam Toland (Bat Out of Hell), Corrine Priest (Les Miserables), Michael Vinsen (Hairspray), Scott Sutcliffe (Wicked), Paul Hutton (Bedknobs and Broomsticks), Lucyelle Cliffe (Legally Blonde), Maggie Lynn (Wicked), Rebecca Riddout (The Phantom of the Opera), Matt McDonald (Titanic), Danny Colligan (The Book of Mormon), Brian McCann (Jesus Christ Superstar), Danny Lane (Parade) Christopher Orton (The Hired Man), Jess Daley (Evita), Aoife Clesham (Fiver), Nikita Johal (Spring Awakening) Ifan Jones (Fiddler on the Roof), David Malcolm (Grindr The Opera), Lily De La Haye (The Phantom of the Opera), Brendan Matthew (Gregorian), Bradley Judge (Pippin), Lydia Gerrard (The Phantom of the Opera), Dominic Brewer (Sweeney Todd), Emma Odell (Kinky Boots), Taite Elliot Drew (My Land’s Shore), Nicholas McClean (Wicked), Kara Taylor Alberts (The Marvellous Wonderettes), Thomas J Hewitt (Aladdin) Victoria Nicol (Salad Days), Samuel Haughton (School of Rock), Bradley Barely (The Phantom of the Opera), Alexander Lodge (Bat Out of Hell), Kirsty Nunn (The Clockmaker’s Daughter), James Gower Smith (Tagline Quartet), Rebeca Ferrin (Les Miserables), Glain Rhys (The Phantom of the Opera), Beth Bradley (Around the World in 80 Days), Emily Dunn (Mamma Mia), Ruari Kelsey (The Last 5 Years), Brendan Cunningham (Dr. Dolittle), Lottie Clitherow (Into the Woods), Rhiannon Doyle (Saturday Night Fever), Emily Chesterton (Jerry Springer the Opera), Samuel Bailey (My Land’s Shore), Daniel Hall (The Phantom of the Opera), Ralph Bogard (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Kristopher Bosch (Detroit Become Human), James Mateo Salt (The Pirate Queen), Cory Stuckey (Macbeth), Charlotte Bradley (Blitz!) and Ashleigh Jones (Mamma Mia).
Also featured are: Ben Hannigan, James Redman, Barry O’Reilly, Matt Whipps, Benjamin Armstrong, Mark Lockhart, Georgiou James, James Lloyd Skinner, Elliot Lee, Sam Rippon, Daniel Amity, Sion Emlyn, Samuel Webb, Elliott Keister, Peter Barnett, Benjamin Newhouse-Smith, James Hammond, James Markham, Gregory George, Rob O’Malley, Kirsty Geddes, Lucy Devereaux, Alexandria Witheridge, Ewa Korda, Erin Hughes, Emily Ooi, Kale Svenson, Laurie Evans, Ruari Barron, Jennifer Neil, Hannah Merry, Joely Emms, Shani Cantor, Layna Sheppard, Nikki Biddington Sophie Lee-Stevens, Rachel Roland, Emily Shelton, Emily Woodcraft, Sinead Wall, Rachel Slattery, Amelia Hooper-Jennings, Natasha Griffiths, Eve Kitchingman, Rachel Wheeler, Sophie Crawford, Holly Jane-Crowter, Paula Trott, Nardia Ruth and Lucie Broadbent.
Producer Rebecca Gilliland of Bookend Productions (who also appears on the recording) said: “You just can’t perform this piece without a huge number of voices, which means as many people as possible have been able to be involved and that's exactly what I set out to achieve. I wanted to offer a platform where people could have something to enjoy and feel good about while our industry is on hold.
“I’ve loved this piece for years and I'm hugely grateful that Disney has allowed us to record it. Hopefully it will be the first of many opportunities I can provide for performers who have been affected by the pandemic and have felt disconnected from the art form they love so much.”
To watch the video, please see below…
